Jock's New Balmoral

[Brian K]

While I was waiting for my X Marks cap badge to arrive I received a kind offer from thescot of a pewter Masonic cap badge as he is now wearing a silver badge and he thought I might get some use out of it. Well, it has arrived before the X Marks badge and here is photographic proof that it happened:





Now if I can just find an artificial sprig of acacia or some forget-me-not I'll have the perfect Masonic plant badge.

For those who do not know, acacia, for reasons not explainable here, symbolizes the immortality of the soul for Freemasons, so it is an important emblem of The Craft.

The use of forget-me-not as a Masonic emblem dates to Nazi Germany. Among other groups, Hitler persecuted the Masons. Lodges were driven underground and Masons were afraid to wear, with good reason, the normal sorts of Masonic emblems, such as rings and lapel pins, that would help to identify each other. Many started to wear a small sprig of forget-me-not in the button hole of their lapel and nowadays you can purchase enameled lapel pins to commemorate that persecution.

Thanks, Jim. I doff my bonnet to you, my Brother.

Up next - the X Marks badge with dandelion plant badge.

Regards,

Brian

[Brian K]

At the risk of sounding like Redshanks' PR agent, I have to say I have discovered a good reason to acquire a Robert Mackie bonnet.

Several members have complained that pewter badges are ordinarily so heavy that when they're attached to the cockade of a bonnet they weigh the left side down so much they tend to pull it down.

Jock's old bonnet, which now resides on my noggin, is a Mackie and it is so substantial that it's like the badge - which is undeniably heavy - is not even there. No stiffeners or backing necessary. Just pin it to your cockade and you're good to go!

Jock, Sandy, MOR and Robert are fond of reminding us that buying inexpensive is a false economy. If you're looking for a Balmoral, save up for the genuine article - Robert Mackie. The last of the real Stewarton Bonnets.

Regards,

Brian

[thescot]

That looks pretty good on you, brother. You could use some mimosa for the acacia, but the only artifucial I could find was a whole tree!

Try this out as an alternative: http://www.homedecorbytpt.com/Artifi...-p2708451.html

[Brian K]

That looks pretty good on you, brother. You could use some mimosa for the acacia, but the only artifucial I could find was a whole tree!

Try this out as an alternative: http://www.homedecorbytpt.com/Artifi...-p2708451.html

Hmmm...with a whole tree on my head I'd look like a Tall Cedar

[Bugbear]

Hmmm...with a whole tree on my head I'd look like a Tall Cedar

I have the seeds for a few of the native Acacia shrubs: Cat Claw, Sweet, etc. If I do germinate any of them, it will be for bonsai materiel...

I suppose you could train a Shito sized (2 inch or smaller) bonsai to use as a plant badge, Brian.

[Jock Scot]

Well done Brian. I think a badge sets off a balmoral a treat and yours is no exception.

[Redshank]

Well done Brian. I think a badge sets off a balmoral a treat and yours is no exception.

or you could say, a Balmoral bonnet was made to show of your clan badge and keep your head dry

[Jock Scot]

or you could say, a Balmoral bonnet was made to show of your clan badge and keep your head dry

You are right---------the trouble is, that our American friends seem to all live in a desert!

[Redshank]

You are right---------the trouble is, that our American friends seem to all live in a desert!

Och well it will keep the sun from frying their brains then

[BoldHighlander]

You are right---------the trouble is, that our American friends seem to all live in a desert!

Not all of us Jock!

("home" -- though not from my home)


:mrgreen: