I love this quote by Patsy Rodenburg. It’s what I believe, but she’s managed to say it in a far more beautiful way than I ever have.
“. . .every inhalation takes in energy from the world & attaches you to it. On exhalation, you send what is inside you out into the world, & in so doing you touch & change the world with your breath…”
I’ve been holding those words in my mind all week and framing everything with them, and it’s both profound and at time amusing. Just like life I think. So with that in mind, time for another edition of sharing some of the interesting things I’ve breathed in this week.
- Photographer Rose-Lynn Fisher works with the macro and the micro, doing both arial and microscopic studies. I’m utterly fascinated by her photographs of tears published in The Typography of Tears.
- A response on what grief is like.
- Kintsugi is the beautiful Japanese tradition of mending broken objects with gold. This video is a fascinating demonstration of the art.
- A 15th-century book by poet Hafiz has been recovered.
- Would it surprise you to know that when I was a child I wanted to be a detective? I was all about solving mysteries, and acting out sleuthing fantasies with my cousin-in-crime-resolution. My interest in Nancy Drew was activated back then, but it continued to flourish even as late as a few years ago when I saw a fascinating play written from a feminist perspective. And now it seems there is more to the story. Or maybe not.
- While I knew Amazon was the majority shareholder of the bookselling market, I confess I was shocked to learn it accounts for more than 90% of American e-book and audiobook sales and almost 45% of print book sales. Having a family member who owned an independent bookstore, I’m quite familiar with the ramifications of such a giant encroaching on the playing field. That’s why I find this startup committed to helping independent booksellers take back some of the marketshare fascinating.
- I was totally surprised to discover what the most common cultural activity of Americans is.
- And finally, I just discovered the work of artist Megan Heeres. While this initiative is not a current one, without question The Invasive Paper Project really sparks my interest. As a papermaker myself I love the mechanics of it, but far more important is the intent to invite conversations about what “invasive” means. In these times of widespread xenophobia, these contemplations seem especially important.
I’d love to hear what’s been piquing your interest this week, and what you’re letting loose into the world. Do tell – you know I interested.
I read the article about the *demise* of Nancy Drew and I agree that it’s a bad way to celebrate her 90th birthday. Honestly how stupid is it to bring in males to solve the *mystery*?
On the other hand I’m amazed about the number 1 leisure activity. That is encouraging.
I have to say I couldn’t help but shake my head. How utterly ironic to end an era with some old-paradigm mansplaining. Maybe it’s not a mystery that things are as warped as they are.
Nancy Drew was what got me reading, and I still love mysteries to this day. I use amazon too much; it’s right in my back yard. It has certainly changed the ambiance of Seattle and not for the better. I am nursing a cold and trying to stay dry in our torrential rains. Otherwise, not much is happening in my life right now.
Sounds like a weekend of exquisite self-care and nurturing is in order Margaret. Hope you have some mysteries to dig into.
As your cousin-in-crime-resolver, I do not accept Nancy Drew’s death! And I agree that males could not hold a candle to Nancy’s and the Dana Girls’ detective skills. It’s slightly encouraging what the #1 cultural activity in the U.S. is…although I have a friend who works in one and there seems to be a lot of un-cultural shenanigans going on there.
LOL – I knew I could count on you to back me up Candace! We might need to brush up on our detecting skills to discover exactly why such an crime against nature got committed.
Hari OM
…and I very nearly became a detective! One of the quirks of life changed the direction. I love all the proper procedural shows, though even they do get it wrong sometimes. And there are just the good ol’ whodunnits. There’s a new BBC production of The Pale Horse starting this weekend…
My week has been too much taken over by sorting stuff for dad. I did manage to finish crocheting the first of a pair of heritage cushion (pillow) covers for my sister. YAM xx
Oh how fascinating Yamini! I’m glad you’ve been able to keep the spark tended through your continued interest in procedurals and mysteries. I’m going to have to dig a bit deeper to find The Pale Horse. A cursory search shows it’s already screened on our PBS station and I missed it. Sigh. It sounds like one I’d quite enjoy. Hope you do.