Julie of Notes on Paper inspired me today to put together a blog post, giving a concise, in numbers, sort-of-round up regarding August..... I have not explained very succinctly, perhaps, but here goes and thanks for the suggestion Julie.
So August in numbers.... a small insight into my month.....
9. The number of books I have purchased from my local Oxfam secondhand bookshop. Today I purchased this gem:
A curious book, 'The Lady's Oracle', published in the 1960's, an elaborate play on fortunes and predictions.... It's like one of those origami folded pick-a-number things we used to play in the school playground, only in complex book form. I was attracted by the cover and really that is why I bought the book. The fact that the contents are eccentric, well, that is ok too..... Other books purchased include a few childrens titles, old penguins and a book on Expressionism. I like buying secondhand books.2. The number of red lipsticks I have purchased this month. I feel rather guilty about this, too frivolous, why two? I am trying to get the right shade of red. The first looked red but when I wear it - well it looks pink. The second is a more orange-red and a better shade. I have a yellow tone to my skin. It's colour theory, of course. I don't buy many cosmetics, so.....
5. The number of photographs I have taken of blackberries.... I have been picking them to dye wool (see below). The blackberries grow at the back of our rented little garden that backs on to a little open patch of land between houses. There are many many blackberries there but I seem to be the only one picking them....
at least 10. The number of natural dye 'baths' I have made this month. These include: blackberry, onion, marigold, alkanet, walnut, madder, and basil. I really should write a natural dyes post some time soon.1000+ the number of times I have made a comment regarding the weather, usually to my children. 'Oh look it's raining', has been the common theme this month. I am, as you may know already, quietly obsessed with clouds, rain and other weather patterns.
4. The number of sketchbooks I have purchased from Muji. Stocking up. I have filled one already. These are the ones I like. http://www.muji.eu/pages/online.asp?V=1&Sec=12&Sub=47&PID=4461 The paper is heavy enough to take gouache, a nice smooth surface, slightly off-white, scans nicely too. An inexpensive sketchbook allows me to experiment freely, without worrying. I actually 'waste' less paper. I don't get precise about it. If I draw a terrible horse, I draw a terrible horse (I do, from time to time, draw terrible horses).
20+ the number of poems or attempts at poems I have written in notebooks this month. At least three are ok. If you are interested in my poetry you may have already seen my poetry blog nevering. Long-term, I am working toward a first full book collection. In the mean time, my chapbook 'Here and There', with poems from nevering included alongside previously unseen, will be out soon.....
I could also give numbers for emails sent (many many), ice-creams eaten (only about 3, it has been cold), and sleepless nights (a nice zero 0).
I hope your August has been ok and now for September.....
9 comments:
I love this # post and I have to laugh about the red lipstick...... I am also on a hopeless mission for the correct shade of red. I had one when I was 27, (I am now 50) and of course, it was discontinued! I also have Sept 7th marked on my calendar as I can't wait to the NUMBER of new items you post and hope to get at least 1 new brooch! Here's to a wonderful Sept.
Glad you are sleeping well and that you are making plans for writing another post about natural dyes because I still have a lot to learn. The sun must have been shining a lot more in the UK because our blackberries are still green and I am afraid they won't get to their beautiful dark color.
Have a lovely evening.
love it! I love your line about terrible horse drawing...lol...I drew a terrible cow this week...no one will ever see it!!...I have sketchbooks that I would never share, full of terrible drawings and silly ideas! what a wonderful and insightful list from your august! thanks for sharing xxx
plains indians used to make winter counts and record them on a hide. maybe a little bit like your august count? barry lopez wrote winter count, my favorite of his books of essays. you will see that i made an august count, of sorts, last year--
Really nice post! My mouth drools for the blackberries! And, I am very intrigued by the natural dyes! Old books are addicting too!
Thank you for your kind comments, they made me smile:)
The fact that you joined in with my idea has made me very happy indeed! The fact that it's also a beautiful post has made me even happier! I've enjoyed doing them for myself all year and am always surprising myself at the things that come up when I sit down to work out my numbers - so it's *fascinating* to see into your month in the same way.
I love the cover of that book. And that you bought two red lipsticks [such a lovely insight!] and am off to check out those Muji books too.
Here's to September then. A new month. And some new numbers.
Thanks Cathy :)
I love this! I'm very interested in the idea of counting, so Julie's idea of a sort of taking stock of the month is delightful. I think I'll have to take up the practice myself! Not to mention the most interesting content of your accounting! My latest work in my shop is a new tiny scroll called The Scroll For Counting Backwards..counting offers so many possibilities!
Thanks for the sketchbook ideas - I've been buying tiny books from muji, with a collection that now needs to be filled. Am starting a BA in Fine Art in the next couple of weeks - any advice? Am swinging between euphoria and terror on a daily basis!
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