If you had to guess what “Swan Upping” meant, what would you say? Go ahead, Take a gander. Here’s a hint: it has nothing to do with one-upping a swan, because let’s be honest, swans will always win whatever game you’ve got going on.
Give up? Swan Upping is basically the royal version of census taking. And it’s all the royal Rage. Originally the swans would be part of a feast, but the meat has fallen from favor and they are released to enjoy their freedom.
The British Crown enjoys ownership of all unmarked mute swans in open water. Rights over swans may, however, be granted to a British subject by the Crown (accordingly they may also be claimed by prescription). Until the 16th century, the ownership of swans in a given body of water was commonly granted to landowners. The tradition of swan upping on the Thames began in the 12th century.
The royal website has more information about the activity.
Yesterday the annual census of the mute swan population, known as ‘Swan Upping’ started on the River Thames.
Swan Upping aims to educate people about swan welfare & the need to protect the swan population. pic.twitter.com/bxJYL5HuHt
This afternoon, The Princess Royal joined the Swan Uppers aboard a ‘Thames Skiff’ as they counted the cygnets between Cookham and Marlow. pic.twitter.com/dLEB9MJKMd
Only two companies still have swan marks: Vintners’ Livery Company and Dyers’ Livery Company.
Swan Upping is now less about census taking and more about waterfowl education and conservation. The swans are weighed and checked for any signs of injury and illness.
Professor Christopher Perrins of @UniOfOxford and the @swan_support team were on board to carry out all necessary checks on the swans.
The team weighed the cygnets (which can weigh as little 1kg & as much as 9kg!), measured their beaks & examined them for any injuries. pic.twitter.com/HwIwdWwqZf
Coming off her big Grammy win, does Beyoncé consume marijuana – cause the industry needs some high profile allies
Coming off her big Grammys win, she is continue to expand her empire. Her fame, business savvy and talent has lead her to founding Parkwood Entertainment, Ivy Park, Cécred, and SirDavis. She has done endorsements for Pepsi and Levis and has a Netflick deal. She seems to go from one success to another. With all she has going on, does Beyoncé consume marijiana? Turns out she has leaned into the plant, but publicly here engagement is squarely in the wellness sphere.
Beyoncé has openly incorporated cannabis-derived CBD into her wellness routine, citing its benefits for physical recovery and mental health, though she has not explicitly confirmed recreational cannabis use. The global icon revealed in a 2021 Harper’s Bazaar interview CBD became a crucial tool during her tours, helping manage inflammation, muscle soreness, and insomnia. “I discovered CBD on my last tour, and I’ve experienced its benefits for soreness and inflammation. It helped with my restless nights,” she shared, emphasizing its role in her self-care practices
Beyoncé announced plans to build a hemp and honey farm to produce her own CBD, aiming to create natural wellness products for her family. This venture aligns with her focus on holistic health rituals, which she also teaches her children. She described finding her daughter Blue Ivy using homemade bath blends for relaxation, highlighting intergenerational wellness practices. While CBD is non-psychoactive (unlike THC-rich marijuana), her farm underscores her commitment to cannabis-derived wellness solutions.
Beyoncé’s entry into the hemp industry follows her husband Jay-Z’s cannabis brand, Monogram, though her approach centers on therapeutic applications rather than recreational use. In 2020, her BeyGOOD Foundation partnered with the NAACP to grant $10,000 to Black-owned cannabis businesses like The Gift, a wellness-focused hemp company. These efforts reflect her support for equitable opportunities in an industry where Black entrepreneurs face systemic barriers
Despite lyrical references to cannabis in her Cowboy Carter album and fan speculation about recreational use, Beyoncé has never publicly confirmed smoking marijuana. Experts note her CBD use focuses on documented (though FDA-unapproved) benefits like pain relief, while avoiding psychoactive effects. Medical researchers caution that CBD’s efficacy for conditions like insomnia remains inconclusive, though its safety profile for adults is generally accepted.
He has another movie dropping – but does Will Ferrell chill with cannabis after all the production?
He is paired with Reese Witherspoon for a new comedy You Are Cordially Invited. Ferrell has had a series of success from the wildly popular original Lego Movie to Elf. He is a majorly bankable star and never seems to be too far from a project. He become famous during his stint on SNL where he starred from 1995 to 2002. “I had a wonderful seven seasons on that show, where I made lifelong friends,” he said. “I knew in that moment it would be the hardest but most fun job I would ever get to do, and I still look back on it that way” he shared. But does Will Ferrell consumer marijuana?
In a series of tweets from 2013, Ferrell humorously addressed the topic, stating, “Smoking weed doesn’t make me a bad person, just like going to church doesn’t make you a good person” and “Yes, I smoke weed. No, I am not a drug addict”. This implies he is a canna consumer. But more importantly, he is a canna fan.
Ferrell’s comments reflect a broader cultural shift towards more accepting views of marijuana use. His humor often touches on social norms and stereotypes, and his remarks about marijuana are consistent with this approach. By joking about the topic, Ferrell helps normalize the conversation around marijuana, aligning with a growing public perception that marijuana use is not necessarily indicative of addiction or moral failing.
The relationship between marijuana use and creativity, particularly in comedy, is a topic of interest. Some comedians and artists report that marijuana enhances their creativity or helps them perceive humor differently. While Ferrell has not explicitly linked marijuana to his comedic creativity, his casual attitude towards its use suggests that he may view it as a part of a relaxed lifestyle rather than a tool for creative enhancement.
known for his unique brand of humor and his ability to create memorable characters, he connects with the viewing public. In doing so, he help make cannabis acceptable.
The news announced the death of another muse – this one for The Rolling Stones – but what is a Muse?
The news today is about the passing of Marianne Faithfull, an artist and muse to The Rolling Stones? But exactly what is a muse? The label gets tossed around? But what does it really mean? They are a source of inspiration, often associated with artistic creativity. In modern times, a muse can be a person who inspires an artist, writer, or musician, often through their presence, personality, or actions.
n ancient Greek mythology, the Muses were nine sister goddesses who presided over the arts and sciences. They were believed to inspire creativity and knowledge in various fields such as literature, music, and astronomy. The Muses were named Calliope, Clio, Erato, Euterpe, Melpomene, Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia, and Urania. In modern times, a muse can be a person who inspires an artist, writer, or musician, often through their presence, personality, or actions.
They have often faced challenges, particularly women overshadowed by the artists they inspire. Many muses sacrifice their own creative pursuits to support the careers of their partners, leading to a lack of recognition and autonomy. This dynamic often resulted in muses being seen more as sources of inspiration rather than as creative individuals in their own right. It also can mean the difference financially since the artist owns the right and the muses often has not percentage of earnings.
The pressure and effort to be a muse can also be draining and tough…sometimes leading the inspiration to a destruction pattern.
Marianne Faithful, artist and muse tot he Roling Stones
Many famous artists have had muses who inspired their work. For example, Pablo Picasso had several muses, including Françoise Gilot and Dora Maar, who were also his romantic partners. The relationship between an artist and their muse can be deeply personal and collaborative, as seen in the experiences of Zoya
Some of the great muses include:
Patti Boyd – Inspired songs by Eric Clapton (“Layla,” “Wonderful Tonight”) and George Harrison (“Something”)
The Hadid Sisters – Inspired songs by artists like The Weeknd and Zayn Malik
Amber Rose – Inspired Kanye West and other rappers
Rosanna Arquette – Inspired Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” and Toto’s “Rosanna”
Elle Macpherson – The original inspiration for Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl”
Lisa Bonet – Inspired Lenny Kravitz’s “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over”
The Hadid Sisters – Inspired songs by artists like The Weeknd and Zayn Malik
Emilie Louise Flöge – Gustav Klimt’s life partner and muse, featured in his famous work The Kiss
Camille Claudel – A French sculptor and muse to Auguste Rodin, known for her own artistic talent
Gala Diakonova – The wife and muse of Salvador Dalí, often depicted in his surrealistic paintings
In the modern era, the role of the muse is being redefined. Social media platforms have democratized inspiration, allowing anyone to be a muse by sharing their creativity and experiences online. This shift has provided more opportunities for muses to express themselves and gain recognition as individuals.However, the pressures of maintaining a public image and the constant need for content creation can also lead to stress and pressure on modern muses.