#051 Feeling A Bit Sh*t

These things might give you a moment or two's relief ...

“We may be living through times of unprecedented change, but in uncertainty lies the power to influence the future. Now is not the time to despair, but to act.” - Rebecca Solnit

Written ten years ago, this advice holds as true today as it did then. Same as it ever was … Now onto the rest of the good things for this week. Hope something in this bundle provides some temporary relief, dear reader.

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one/ I’m pretty obsessed with the brilliant ceramics of Pauline Cumming. (Above) They’re informed by women’s lives, the current political climate, gender equity and so much more.
two/ Speaking of which, the hidden women’s labour behind so many literary masterpieces.
three/You can’t read this thread and replies without laughing. You just can’t.

four/ I just found out that kid’s book author Bethany Barton (above) NOT ONLY worked on the set design of the brand new The Muppet Show, but she’s also one of the geniuses behind the non-profit Dopamind which advocates for healthier screen time/tech exposure for kids. Legend.
five/ How lovely is this pencil set/online course bundle from Caran d’Ache and Nina Cosford? (Below)

six/ Just in time for Valentine’s Day. How to flirt with … checks notes … your hat - Above. (According to Victorians, via Messy Nessy)
seven/ XOXO … a Gossip Girl sequel is in the works.
eight/ The kindness of strangers who bring you tea and cake in the rain.

nine/ Just some women singing and making Harris Tweed in the Scottish Hebrides … you know, that sort of thing. (Above)
ten/ How about some Homemade English Muffins? Make your own Pita Chips, even? Chipotle Sauce to have with most things. Slow cook some Colorado Chile, perhaps? Raspberry Mousse sounds delightful. And more raspberries … Chocolate Raspberry Tiramisu. These Chickpea Tacos look really good too. And I want to make this Plum Torte (remove paywall).

eleven/ A bunch of printable vintage geology-themed posters.
twelve/ A little-known and gorgeous Rembrandt just sold for a gazillion dollars. Also this drawing of a sparrow. Gasp!
thirteen/ Beautiful works by Brandon Lillibridge.
fourteen/ “Shrinking is a therapeutic retreat from an ugly world.”
fifteen/ The prettiest petri dishes you ever did see.

sixteen/ I loved looking through this chonky album of works by once Ladybird book illustrator SR Badmin. (Above)
seventeen/ More on the new Nancy Meyers film incoming for 2027.
eighteen/ Very much into this pertinent tote bag. (Below

nineteen/ There’s a brand new Taylor Swift video for those of us in the cult.
twenty/ I just discovered This One’s Nice - an Instagram account that tours for sale homes (mostly in Europe, I think?) with a natty, chatty narration. (Below)

Around the grounds

This week, 10 month-old June (my granddaughter, for those that are new here) has taken to mimicking her favourite grown-ups movements. Blinking, face-scrunching, head tipping, tapping, patting, tongue clicking … it’s all happening now. When I popped in today we read her Mr Narwhal book three times in a row and she gave an excited sound every time we turned the page, tracking her eyes over the animals and tapping her wee pointing finger on the illustrations. She particularly liked the jellyfish. So fun for both of us. High recommend.

What’s for dinner at yours?

I think I’m just going to have tomato soup and an oven-warmed cheese and bacon roll. Not fancy, but comforting. How about you?

Silly joke of the week

What do you call a row of rabbits hopping into the distance?
A receding hare line.

Hopping hoping you are managing during these tumultuous times, friend. It’s a lot, right? Ugh.

x pip

If you fancy, buy me a coffee. —>

NB: If any of the weekly FABS links ever fail, comment on this post and I’ll fix them up ASAP and add them to the comments too.