for several years, way back, my partner and I would buy an American Heritage Dictionary whenever we saw one at a Goodwill. We kept two for ourselves and took pleasure in giving them to friends. Your wanderings through the entries are something I still do occasionally, and I love the etymology section at the back. The most unpredictable words turn out to be related!
I absolutely love Faith Ringgold's amazing artwork. What a legacy to leave behind. As a quilter I've enjoyed studying her work. The colorful images, the stories they hold within - all good stuff that I can get lost in for hours. I'm currently reading "This long thread : women of color on craft, community, and connection" by Jen Hewett. We've been doing a bit of driving lately and I've used the time to read some of it aloud to my husband and have conversations about work/life balance, expecially as he's looking at a job change soon-ish. Josephine Hopper is another example of how women of that era had to make their own work/life balance. Edward Hopper wouldn't have been Edward Hopper without her sacrificing her own art career to further his. She was a brilliant artist in her own right & I was able to see her work on display last summer at the Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester MA. It was awesome to see her getting credited as Josephine Hopper the artist vs Edward Hopper's wife.
On ways to play with a dictionary: I sliced some pages from the Oxford English Dictionary and am using its delicate paper in strips in my woven letters project. Assuming no one will ever miss those pages from my volume. Assuming those few stolen words will be happier framed on my wall (or entered in an Altered Book exhibit) than trapped between the covers. Is this Stealing Like an Artist -- or, gasp, verbal vivisection?
I read and article about Bluey, I think it was in the New Yorker. That article and your mention makes this very grown person want you to watch it. I think I will @austin Kleon !
Your experience with the eclipse reminds me of my recent trip up to the Skagit Valley to visit one of the big tulip farms. Dozens of designed beds and acres of color-block fields of the most incredible variety of tulips I've ever seen -- all seeming to glow in the sunlight. At first I was frantically aiming my iPhone camera everywhere at once trying to capture it all so I could somehow "keep" it and enjoy it...later. I found myself growing more anxious until I remembered I had come here for fun and restoration! I put my phone away and just wandered, getting drunk on color and sunshine. I'm glad I took all those photos, but even more glad that I eventually put the camera away and just enjoyed the experience of being there. Narrow and wide.
Your observation on paper dictionaries reminds me of a quote from a favorite book (Christopher Morley’s The Haunted Bookshop): “It’s a good thing to turn your mind upside down now and then, like an hourglass, to let the particles run the other way. One who loves the English tongue can have a lot of fun with a Latin dictionary.”
I fell into the same narrow focus trap during the eclipse - frantically trying to capture the crescent shadows and not being happy with the results. Rather than just being present in the wonder of it. Thanks for these links. I’ve opened several tabs to explore.
Also thanks for sharing Eleanor Coppola’s work years ago. I read her memoir when I was postpartum and loved it. RIP Eleanor.
for several years, way back, my partner and I would buy an American Heritage Dictionary whenever we saw one at a Goodwill. We kept two for ourselves and took pleasure in giving them to friends. Your wanderings through the entries are something I still do occasionally, and I love the etymology section at the back. The most unpredictable words turn out to be related!
thought you would like this for the washington post about writing poems form the news.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/interactive/2024/make-your-own-poem/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1gART5xyjouCYRVLYDzUssU7zUplWMtuJMJubYmPg2wIltOZi9OsfOucQ_aem_AZ-hhPxaz9lQQ6MX5tmD6udPf2UgtQqbo3y-L0t94AF1jmM0DV5LkZfGEtUqXCmlxPn_HFlNXro1j9Pl2vErteip
I love going on the side quests the links in your newsletters offer. This week in particular, the dictionary essay. Brilliant!
I absolutely love Faith Ringgold's amazing artwork. What a legacy to leave behind. As a quilter I've enjoyed studying her work. The colorful images, the stories they hold within - all good stuff that I can get lost in for hours. I'm currently reading "This long thread : women of color on craft, community, and connection" by Jen Hewett. We've been doing a bit of driving lately and I've used the time to read some of it aloud to my husband and have conversations about work/life balance, expecially as he's looking at a job change soon-ish. Josephine Hopper is another example of how women of that era had to make their own work/life balance. Edward Hopper wouldn't have been Edward Hopper without her sacrificing her own art career to further his. She was a brilliant artist in her own right & I was able to see her work on display last summer at the Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester MA. It was awesome to see her getting credited as Josephine Hopper the artist vs Edward Hopper's wife.
On ways to play with a dictionary: I sliced some pages from the Oxford English Dictionary and am using its delicate paper in strips in my woven letters project. Assuming no one will ever miss those pages from my volume. Assuming those few stolen words will be happier framed on my wall (or entered in an Altered Book exhibit) than trapped between the covers. Is this Stealing Like an Artist -- or, gasp, verbal vivisection?
Stabilo Woody pencils are great, I love the effect when applying water. Dipping in water and drawing is also fun.
Thank you for the playfulness quote from Hans Zimmer and a good reason to watch an episode of Bluey.
That studio sign, omg.
I read and article about Bluey, I think it was in the New Yorker. That article and your mention makes this very grown person want you to watch it. I think I will @austin Kleon !
It’s good, my favorite observation is that it’s the best show about what it’s like to really PLAY with kids
Your experience with the eclipse reminds me of my recent trip up to the Skagit Valley to visit one of the big tulip farms. Dozens of designed beds and acres of color-block fields of the most incredible variety of tulips I've ever seen -- all seeming to glow in the sunlight. At first I was frantically aiming my iPhone camera everywhere at once trying to capture it all so I could somehow "keep" it and enjoy it...later. I found myself growing more anxious until I remembered I had come here for fun and restoration! I put my phone away and just wandered, getting drunk on color and sunshine. I'm glad I took all those photos, but even more glad that I eventually put the camera away and just enjoyed the experience of being there. Narrow and wide.
The “questing beast” is real!
Please draw one!
Your observation on paper dictionaries reminds me of a quote from a favorite book (Christopher Morley’s The Haunted Bookshop): “It’s a good thing to turn your mind upside down now and then, like an hourglass, to let the particles run the other way. One who loves the English tongue can have a lot of fun with a Latin dictionary.”
I dig it!
these posts are always a pleasure
I'd love an Austin Kleon podcast!
I fell into the same narrow focus trap during the eclipse - frantically trying to capture the crescent shadows and not being happy with the results. Rather than just being present in the wonder of it. Thanks for these links. I’ve opened several tabs to explore.
Also thanks for sharing Eleanor Coppola’s work years ago. I read her memoir when I was postpartum and loved it. RIP Eleanor.
Oh I’m glad you read it!
LOVE Stabilo’s woody pencils!
And I thought I was the last person on earth with a CD player…
I still have mine, but was disappointed that the new car I bought didn't come with one. :(