As green as it comes …
In the absence of the AlphabeThursday hosted by another blogger I seem to have lost my momentum. Jenny’s weekly slot really did fuel my fire; so lately my energy has been lost. However, I hope to resurrect my own adventure with the letters of the alphabet in relation to my addiction to tea; in particular Chinese green and all her variations. So as I reach another crossroads in my life, of which there are many lately I will begin with a quote by a Chinese scholar called Tien Yiheng “Tea is drunk to forget the din of the world” and he is right try as we might to address and reconcile the difficulties of life there really isn’t anything better than a cup of tea with a biscuit to find peace; albeit for only for a moment. nelabligh (as green as it comes)
Weekly Photo Challenge … Optimism
I have optimism and believe that it has been my salvation as a person who suffers from depression. However, it is not always considered as a valuable attribute; often seen as unrealistic. My partner is pessimistic and realistic; he will see the disadvantages of a new opportunity before the good. Perhaps, when considering a family holiday he will think about the cost, travel problems suggesting that the temperature should not be too hot or too cold. Much thought will go into the planning, so ensuring no problems en route. He sees my fearless attitude as fun; but at times misplaced.
I, on the other hand will only see the joyful aspects, will not baulk at temperature, language or uncomfortable culture. I enjoy an adventure. His attitude has stood us in good stead with wonderful holidays organised to every detail; but sadly leaves not much space for spontaneity and happy accidents.
How does one represent this half full half empty cup dilemma in a photograph? I don’t know.
Silent Sunday
Friday’s library snapshot ….
Preparing this to be catalogued for the Cole Library this week
Museum museorum, oder Vollständige schaũ bühne aller materialien und specereyen :nebst deren natürlichen beschreibung, election, nutzen und gebrauch, aus andern material-, kunst- und naturalien-kammern, oost-und-west-indischen reiss-beschreibungen … wie auchselbsteigenen erfahrung, zum vorschub der studirenden jugend, materialisten … u.s.w. also verfasset, und mit etlich hundert sauberen kupfferstücken unter augen geleget by D. Michael Bernhard Valentini published 1714 by J.D. Zunner’s sel. erben und J.A. Jungen in Franckfurt am Mayn
… is, I understand a complete set of a scarce work. A compendium of natural and artificial curiosities including descriptions of the Collection of the Royal Society of London Botanic Gardens at Leydon, collection once owned by German princes.
The engravings are numerous and exquisite.
Weekly Photo Challenge …
As a child, Alphabet or ABC books featured large in my early development. Like every child, on every nation as we began to communicate, read and write for centuries must have used them. I have written blog posts about them and even have a small collection. Looking back at them they are were a strange bunch of books and not, I think very useful, then and even less now as the world and its languages are more readily accessible.
So the value of these works of art are limited and destined for the museum .
However, Edward Lear the master of the alphabet is deserved of a second glance.
This morning I …
Last week I attended the funeral of a dear friend and my husband last his job. Both pretty horrible but I will not dwell on either; that has been done!
However, this morning while preparing for my first morning cuppa I broke the handle off my water jug. Such a shame, but not a disaster I have plenty of jugs to use, none of which match and not perhaps so aesthetically pleasing; none would detract from the taste or effect. Yet,I feel the need to repair the little gem and extend its life a bit longer. I don’t want to chuck it in the bin. So with a blob of superglue and the right attitude it will last a bit longer.
I do understand that in Japanese culture breakages are celebrated, and repaired accordingly with gold. I believe it is called Kintsugi.
So, while I know nothing about this procedure I would like to investigate it further and would value thoughts and ideas.
While a blob of glue and a twirl of gold may not bring back my friend or conjurer up a new opportunity for my husband … repair and adjustment can be beautiful and restorative
Silent Sunday …
Its Saturday …
So the year begins, with my regular fortnightly Friday art class.. This session was called Monochrome Heads we were expected to make portraits using inks or black and white paints. I used largish brushes, water and ink., also a Bamboo pen on brown paper. We were encouraged to look at the work of Marlene Dumas, a South African artist whose inspirational portraiture was on show at Tate Modern in 2015.
I am not familiar with her work and not sure if I liked it that much, but I could see some potential and having paid in advance; it would have been foolish not to attend.
I have over the last few months I have become more comfortable in the classroom but not yet inclined to play, which is a shame because this was the very opportunity to play after a sad week.
However, it was not all bad and the results not brilliant but not all destined for the bin.
Friday’s Snapshot from the Library …
You may be aware that I began a new reclassification project at the end of last year. It is going well although the first 100 or so items were biographies, dictionaries and lexicons mostly in German and not very interesting. This week marked a change in type of books and I celebrate. With a picture or two from The naturalist’s repository : or, Miscellany of exotic natural history : exhibiting rare and beautiful specimens of foreign birds, insects, shells, quadrupeds, fishes, and marine productions : more especially such new subjects as have not hitherto been figured or correctly described : forming a compendium of the most interesting modern discoveries in zoology by E. Donovan. Needless to say I am delighted about this prettier item and I am hoping this trend will continue for a while … however it might prove a little distracting.
Thursday … tea and a tribute
This week I attended the funeral of a dear work colleague. Brian and I worked together for two or three years in the same office. Him, cataloging publisher’s archive material and me, with my rare books. There was not much time for idle chat, but we did manage to pass the time of day and discuss politics. We were both left wing and had a distaste for the government of the time; New Labour and the recent and more abhorrent; Tories. Often, we would talk about affairs in Brazil, in more ways than one there were some common issues. He was a family man who loved sport, so enjoyed hearing about my daughter’s exploits in the favela, the World Cup, Olympics and the the vibrant political situation that surrounds them all. When I moved offices down the corridor we still managed to catch up; sometimes in the bike shed; we both cycled to work and would often met as we found space; again the conversations was concerning politics and of late it was about our new and favoured Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. We also met in the kitchen during welcomed tea breaks, he was always fascinated by my tea procedures but never tempted to partake in the green tea ceremony, but knew someone who did and I assume lived to tell the tale.
I am not sure what he drank, but talking about current affairs and putting the world to right was most important, or at least seeing it as it was … not altogether bad.
RIP Brian.
Coat Hanger Doll's House 