Netsuke & Gashapon toys Ancient Japanese treasures and modern collectibles

Netsuke are uniquely Japanese and sublime in their beauty. They are tiny objects carved of ivory, ceramic, wood, tortoise-shell, gold or many other materials. They tell the story of the culture of Japan during the old Edo period and before. Netsuke featured fishermen and farmers, who rubbed shoulders with scholars, samurai warriors, royalty and evenContinue reading “Netsuke & Gashapon toys Ancient Japanese treasures and modern collectibles”

10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet 186

Excellent channel Lina’s Thobe explains the importance of Palestinian Tatreez Palestinian tatreez isn’t “just embroidery.” For centuries, it’s been a visual language — carrying the names of villages, the colors of seasons, and the stories of displacement and survival. In this video, I share how one humble stitch became a way to map a homeland,Continue reading “10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet 186”

Captain Seeks a Sea-Going Cat to Sign on for a Trip Around the World, New York Times (1922)

Captain Edwin Dyason, master of the freighter Woodfield will welcome any ablebodied seafaring cat wishing to join the crew of his vessel, sailing today for Manila and China. “We missed the ship’s cat shortly after we put into port here,” said the Captain. “Her name was Cleopatra. She joined on in Fremantle, Australia and didContinue reading “Captain Seeks a Sea-Going Cat to Sign on for a Trip Around the World, New York Times (1922)”

Book Review: The Colony by Annika Norlin

A huge bestseller in Sweden, The Colony is a deeply an intimate and heartbreaking character study of what happens when strangers with a lot of emotional baggage find themselves together in an isolated self-sufficient community in rural Sweden. A strange book unlike any I’ve ever read before and I loved it.

Travel: The Beautiful Terrace Windows of Triana, Sevilla

Back in 2010 during a particularly sweltering summer, I visited Andalucia and soaked in the beautiful architecture in Sevilla. The best way to see all of the charming neighbourhoods and historic monuments was going the tourist routes with an open-top bus. This also afforded me excellent views onto all of the terrace houses with theirContinue reading “Travel: The Beautiful Terrace Windows of Triana, Sevilla”

10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet 185

This week #birds or Aruba, the creativty of immigrants, #portishead #MarilynManson fusion, #love letters of slime moulds, a stop motion #animation of Thumbelina and #dogs on the #NewYork Subway – its edition 185 of Interesting Things!

Beautiful maps & beautiful Welsh tales: The Mabinogion

The Mabinogion is a magical and mythical Celtic classic from the thirteenth century or earlier. It’s thoroughly Welsh and is considered a masterpiece of medieval literature. The Mabinogion has given rise to all of the stories by Tolkien, Le Guin, Martin and countless more. The stories are the very genesis of the Arthurian tales ofContinue reading “Beautiful maps & beautiful Welsh tales: The Mabinogion”

Book Review: Oddbody by Rose Keating

Rose Keating’s debut short story collection, Oddbody features macabre body #horror #tales with funny and unexpected twists and turns. #ShortStories #Fiction #RoseKeating #Books #Bookstodon #BookReview

Ancient Fable: St. Francis of Assisi and the injured wolf

13th century Italian saint, St Francis of Assisi never understood earth as being a garden of resources over which we have dominion. Instead, he saw the earth as a mother or a sister who governs us.

10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet 184

Water voles and me Nature filmmaker Natalie Clements films sweet and gentle water voles going about their day in this short and captivating documentary that captures the importance of rewilding Britain and witnessing animal lives. Across Cultures, One Key to Happiness Stands Out Decades of global surveys point to a single, consistent foundation of well-being:Continue reading “10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet 184”