A Lyle syrup tin with roses.

Here is a story dated in the late 1960s ,inside a story dated 1883, inside a story that could have taken place between 1400- 1050 BC.

Let us start with the story closest to our time. The time we left for Portugal. My last post before I left was Thyme and the two white roses that were  linked to the birthday poem written for my sister.

I washed out the empty syrup tin with affection as I had first seen this tin in my childhood home. Mum had made flapjacks with 6 T of Lyle syrup, a few onzes of butter/ margarine, and a teaspoon of bicarbonate soda. It was the rising  froth of the liquid ingredients when the bicarb was added in the pan that I even in my own home enjoyed. I watched mum  pour this golden liquid  over 4 cups of oats,2 cups of coconut, and 1 cup of sugar. It was warm in your hands as you mixed it and flattened it lightly in baking trays.

This was all in my mind as I went outside and noticed the thyme a little green with roots and the two white roses very much like me. ( I would never speak for my sister). I put them together. The little arrangement dwarfed by the Lyle tin.

Here begins the second story. Mr Lyle had strong  religious beliefs, and he chose the logo and the design for his Lyle syrup, which has remained unchanged since 1883. So where in the Bible did he get these words ‘ Out of the strong came forth sweetness.’

The story is old. The book of Judges   has it. Here is a summary:

…and Samson went down to Timnath and saw a woman…he then instructed his mother and father to get her for him… the three of them went to get his wife…on the way unbeknown to his parents a lion threatened him and he tore it apart like it was a goat… he spent time with his chosen woman and after a while returned… on the way he saw the carcass of the Lion and in it was a swarm of bees with honey… he ate handfuls of the honey in the comb and took some back to his parents…the story goes on the detail is entertaining… there is a party as was the custom and a challenge for a riddle to be solved… his love is forced/ threatened with her life into making Samson tell her the answer to the riddle, and she tells the guests… Samson is angry, and she is given in marriage to his companion , who he had used as a friend!

What was the riddle, Samson told?

‘Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness.’

The story is amazing and found in Judges 14.

So, from a tin in my home to a childhood memory of home, flowers for my sister, and a book of ancient stories, one of many involving a man called Samson, this post has travelled.

Take care,

Sandy 🙂