The traditional seasons in Japan are marked out by impercetibly small changes in nature across 72 miniature seasons in a year, each lasting 5 days and reflecting the fleeting, impermanent and diaphanous beauty of nature and all of its wonders. There are 24 divisions or sekki in the calendar that are split into 72 kōContinue reading “Japan’s 72 gossamer-light and poetic microseasons”
Category Archives: Blog
10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet 183
The Detectorists A delightful short documentary about two beautiful German Pointers who point their noses to the wind to detect the presence of otters in Welsh rivers, in order to help conservation. The Secret History of Tor: How a Military Project Became a Lifeline for Privacy A story of secrecy, resistance, and the fight forContinue reading “10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet 183”
Hanako the 226 year old koi
Hanako means flower girl in Japanese. Hanako lived the majority of her life in the pure spring waters of a pond at the foot of Mt Ontake near Oppara. It’s believed that the purity and relative isolation of the pond contributed to her longevity. Hanako lived through the English colonising of both Australia and NewContinue reading “Hanako the 226 year old koi”
Book Review: The Maid by Nita Prose
The Maid is a heartwarming and sharply observed cosy mystery #novel that feels like a gigantic warm hug and a hot mug of cocoa. The story invites you into the world of Molly Gray, a twenty-something hotel maid who has suffered many set backs in her young life but who nonetheless takes immense pride in her work. #Maid #Fiction #Books #BookReview #Book #Review #Cosy #Mystery
Everyone comes into the world with a job to do
Everyone comes into the world with a job to do— I don’t mean working for a company, a corporation— we were all given gifts to share, even the animals, even the plants, minerals, clouds . . . all beings. From ‘Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings’ by Native American Poet Laureate Joy Harjo
10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet 182
Red-eyed birds of North America A beautiful vintage style illustrated poster by artist Alex Tomlinson showing Snail Kite, Roseate Spoonbill, Common Loon, and Wood Duck and many more in a delightful mid-century style, via BlueSky Milkydaddy – ミルキーダディー(1984) A pleasing retro soundtrack to an uplifting Japanese weather channel…or something. Dreams and Mycelium: Mapping the EndlessContinue reading “10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet 182”
How real women dressed over the ages
A lot of fuss and attention is given to how wealthy women dressed in ancient times. Yet for every affluent woman there would be 10 other women of more humble origins, toiling and working in low paid and thankless jobs. Here are some really incredible videos that showcase how these women dressed over time. WomenContinue reading “How real women dressed over the ages”
Book Review: Dependency by Tove Ditlevsen
Dependency is the third and final volume of Tove Ditlevsen’s masterful Copenhagen Trilogy, a searing work of autofiction that chronicles a life marked by artistic ambition, potent writing talent, vulnerability and addiction. #fiction #memoir #addiction #writing #novel #book #bookreview #ToveDitlevsen
Book Review: The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber
Peter and Beatrice Leigh are 30-something British couple who are devoutly evangelical Christians and are living in a Britain of an imagined near future. In this imaginary Britain things look largely similar to how they are right now, except that there’s a colony of humans living on a faraway planet called Oasis. These pioneers areContinue reading “Book Review: The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber”
10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet 181
Blinky Bill: A delightful cultural exchange between Poland and Australia For anyone from outside of Australia, Blinky Bill is a delightful koala character created in the 20th Century who became iconic in this country and much loved by all children. His popularity led to a widespread love of koalas in general and meant that realContinue reading “10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet 181”
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