i can identify with this little one
when i was a child
i believed
when i had
my sunglasses on
no one could see me
now, i’m left wondering…
—
“vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.”
-jonathan swift
May18
Author Archives: beth
May17
clay.
the kinder have been exploring the world of clay and water
seeing the more they have it in their hands
the warmer and softer it gets
the easier it is to create things
everything is possible.
one of them even took
this wonderful picture of his clay.
—
“i thought clay must feel happy in the good potter’s hand.”
-janet fitch
May16
above water.
i first crossed paths
with this brave and amazing future author (trish kearney)
years ago on her blog:
“my thoughts on a page”
https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/8642668
where she wrote about
her family, her careers, her loves and losses, her daily life in ireland
when i later traveled to ireland
we met in person
(even though her children warned her i might really be a male serial killer)
we spent a great afternoon at an outdoor pub
near the water on a beautiful day
getting to know each other
i had no idea what her whole story was
until she began writing posts about her childhood
floating the idea of writing her memoir
including painful buried trauma she had endured
as a young championship swimmer
over time she gained confidence
decided to tell her story
to find personal peace
to hold her tormentor responsible
to no longer be a victim
to help others who might not be ready to speak.
what followed was
her book, “above water”
a podcast, “where is george gibney?”
and unforeseen consequences
both good and bad.
this is a book of truths
of regaining power over one’s own life
of bravery
of survival
of living to tell the tale
of an unbroken spirit
of healing
of helping others.
i give it my highest personal recommendation
here’s to you, tric, and to all who suffer in silence
you are their brave voice for each and every one of them
and i’m so proud to call you my friend.
—
“you don’t drown by falling in the water; you drown by staying there.”
-Edwin Louis Cole
—
amazon uk – available now
May15
inconceivable mystery.
blood moon courtesy of nasa
The total lunar eclipse with a few more novelties will start tonight, May 15 at 10:27 p.m., according to Mike Narlock, head of Astronomy at Cranbrook Institute of Science. Narlock says the progression to the total lunar eclipse will take a while. The totality portion of the lunar eclipse starts at 11:29 p.m. Sunday and lasts until 12:53 a.m. Monday, May 16.
You’ll have to stay up late on a Sunday night to see the eclipse, but it may be worth it.
There are a few things going on with this full moon. First, this month’s full moon is called the Flower Moon. It’s easy to understand why this moon has that name, with our spring bulbs blooming now.
The full moon is also a super moon. This occurs when the position of the moon is at its closest point to Earth. The orbit of the moon around Earth isn’t a perfect circle, it’s orbit more egg-shaped than circular. On May 15, the moon will be in the spot of its orbit where it is closest to Earth.
So the total eclipse is a Flower Moon and a super moon. But wait – there’s more. It is also a blood moon. The phrase “blood moon” really isn’t a true astronomical term. All lunar eclipses turn some amount of red. During a total lunar eclipse, Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon. The Earth’s shadow is cast upon the moon. During a total lunar eclipse, blue light is filtered out of the light hitting the moon. Red light can still make it through and be cast upon the moon. So the moon should look at least somewhat red. If there is a lot of dust or water vapor in our sky at the time of the eclipse, the moon would be a darker red.
—
“there is something haunting in the light of the moon;
it has all the dispassionateness of a disembodied soul,
and something of its inconceivable mystery.”
-joseph conrad
—
credits: mike narlock, cranbrook institute of science, mark torregrossa, mlive, nasa
May14
bright and fresh.
nothing like a slow and easy saturday morning
—
“saturday morning was come, and all the summer world was bright and fresh, and brimming with life.”
-mark twain
—
art credit: franco matticcio, squirrel in tree
May13
hard wood.
the class discovered this tree with magical writing all over it
and even though he’s only mastered the alphabet this year
‘a’ chose to read it out loud to everyone
in his own magical language
a master translator at work.
—
“he was made of hard wood.”
-hungarian proverb
—
Arborglyphs, dendroglyphs, silvaglyphs or modified cultural trees
is the carving of shapes and symbols into the bark of living trees.
May12
oubaitori.
oubaitori is a japanese idiom written as a combination of kanji characters,
representing four trees that bloom in spring: cherry, plum, apricot and peach.
—
i believe this to be true for everyone
from the youngest child
to the most elderly.
May11
bakers.
when you can’t get your dough to flatten
your hands are tired
you have to improvise
use all resources at hand
as one of our young bakers recently illustrated
by using a unique and innovative method
i had been previously unaware of.
—
the bread you bake by your own sweat tastes better than the dishes of sultans.
-Armenian mothers
May10
expect wonders.
LEGO is launching a botanical collection for serial plant killers.
LEGO’s products aren’t just for kids. Last year, the company dedicated an entire section of its website to adult customers, featuring more complex sets that clock in at thousands of pieces. The latest collection caters to builders who are all grown up—though maybe not grown enough to keep plants alive on their own.
As designboom reports, the Botanical Collection from LEGO reimagines flowers, succulents, and bonsai trees as plastic brick sculptures. The elaborate sets hold their own against the living plants you might find at your local nursery. The “potted” flowers in the line include the elegant white orchid and the vibrant Bird of Paradise. Once you’re done building, the 756-piece flower bouquet set is ready to be displayed in a real vase of your choosing (no water required).
For the meditative effects of growing a bonsai tree without the shears, try assembling LEGO’s plastic version. And if you prefer low-maintenance plants even when they’re fake, the Botanical Collection includes a colorful succulent display. The cost of the LEGO plants is comparable to the real thing, and if you have a black thumb, they may be a better investment. Prices range from $10 for a few flowers to $100 for the largest potted plants.
“though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed… convince me that you have a seed there, and i am prepared to expect wonders.”
-henry david thoreau
—
credits: michelle debczak,design boom, lego
May9
workspace.
sign above the desk:
“hello customers, welcome to the garage. i am your 4th floor guardian m-f after 4pm.”
–
we happened upon this happy workspace in a most unlikely place
with a comfy swivel chair occupied after 4pm
a christmas card that says ‘joy’
a boom box
a tiny desk
a plastic plant that dances
an air freshener
a snow globe
a piece of hanging art
and a welcoming sign
what a wonderful workspace
everything someone would need
what a special person
who welcomes you
watches over you
keeps you happy and safe
on the 4th floor
a safe haven in the world.
—
“i’ve got a theory; if you love your workspace, you’ll love your work a little more.”
-cynthia rowley
I didn't have my glasses on.... 