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”
Tag Archives: nature
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
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”
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”
Omnia tempus habent: a delightful medieval rhyming calendar
Omnia tempus habent – All things have their season. Ecclesiastes Here is a medieval rhyming calendar outlining the labours of the months in the fields, dating from 14th century England. The mis-spelling of the words reflects their Old English origins. Discovered via the fun and enjoyable book Weatherland: Writers and artists under English skies byContinue reading “Omnia tempus habent: a delightful medieval rhyming calendar”
10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet 180
Enjoy footage of Wilford the extra pudgy, big-pawed California Black bear yawning and dreaming What a treasure Wilford is, just rolling around, farting, urinating, stretching and dreaming about all the things wild bears dream about in California’s Angeles National Forest. Footage of him along with the forest ambient sound is incredibly chill and relaxing toContinue reading “10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet 180”
Book Review: Endling by Maria Reva
Maria Reva’s debut novel, Endling is immensely ambitious and credit where credit is due this is a vast, sweeping novel that rocked me to my core in its first few chapters.
Thirty great medieval epithets for people and beasts
Why do we say a gaggle of geese, a flock of sheep, a pride of lions or a swarm of bees? Well it harks back to medieval times when sportsmen grouped together collectives of beasties to refer to them in movement or attributing a quality to them – presumably while the poor creatures ran awayContinue reading “Thirty great medieval epithets for people and beasts”
