Words from the Wise

Margret Atwood is one of my favourite authors and I am constantly amazed by her ability to write so brilliantly on such disparate topics. I love both her old time tales and her futuristic environmental novels.

She has an incredible ability to stand outside the human world as it races on and succinctly wrap it up in words. In her futuristic works, these words don't blatantly cast aspersions on the state of modern man but are at once both so factual and absurd that one cannot help but wonder how we have got to this. The fact that "Oryx and Crake" and "The Year of the Flood" deal with a time so close and that the problems that abound in Atwood's devastated future are concepts that modern technology is already flirting with, make these scenarios potentially credible and add to the frightening accuracy of the world she speaks of.

She is a regular contributor to the Guardian newspaper where she recently offered her top tips for overcoming writers' block. These practical suggestions also feature here on her blog and are apt advice for many of life's obstacles.

Notebooks

Aren't notebooks beautiful? I love the ritual of choosing a new notebook and can often go for days without writing in it. It almost seems a shame to deface its beauty! Just holding it and touching it and smelling its newness, so full of possibilities, is enough to please. I love the empowering feeling I get from a crisp new notebook ....

Have you got a favourite notebook? I tend to try out new ones and stick with that for a while before I find another one beckoning. At the moment, I really like these from Rosehip. The bigger one will hold new plans while the small one will be on hand in my bag for flashes of brilliance (even those I have trouble remembering!).

The germination of a thought....

Today, again, I am amazed by the workings of this world we live in. I love how a phrase, an image, an action can nourish and water the seeds of thought. And how these inspirations can come from the most unexpected places, often when we've long forgotten we ever had the thought to begin with.
Inspiration equals empowerment.

Many Mansions

A beautiful new venture has come to my notice. The Ireland Chair of Poetry are launching a limited edition poetry book, designed and published by Stoney Road Press. This truly is a very special limited edition. Only 125 copies will be produced, each of them lovingly made by hand using traditional letterpress equipment in the National Print Museum in Dublin. Each book will be made using 250gsm BFK Rives Blanc paper and bound in mid-blue goatskin leather by Antiquarian Bookcrafts, also in Dublin.

"Many Mansions" features 12 previously unpublished poems, 2 each from the previous six Irish Professors of Poetry, the poet representing the Chair. The six are John Montague, Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill, Paul Durcan, Michael Longley, Ciaran Carson and Seamus Heaney.

The books cost the understandably princely sum of €1000 each but the true value lies in their exquisite artisan production and the limited collection of these great Irish poets. The majority of the profits will go to raising funds for the Ireland Chair of Poetry. Oh how I covet one.

See also, this article.

Extraordinary in the Banal

Special memories of simple ordinary moments that will stay with you always.


Stopping at a late opening petrol station for coffee during a long late night journey with my mother. We sat in the car in the pouring rain and the petrol station coffee tasted superb and revived us for the last leg of the journey. I'll never forget that cup of coffee!

Cosy Autumn Days

I just love this time of year. It makes my heart sing every day! The changing colours, the falling leaves, the crispness to the air and the difference in the light all leave me full of hope and ideas and happiness! Out with the blankets, the porridge brekkies, the thick socks and wool coats! Even candlelight is nicer this time of the year - enjoyed with a cup of hot chocolate and a special someone!

Mushrooming

Okay so I started this blog with great intentions of posting regularly and being creatively organised and organised creatively! Things have mushroomed and I have had feelings of guilt about devoting time to this little attempt of mine and so it has remained quiet. Positive things should never be the cause of guilt though, so again I'm attempting to get sorted and conquer the time management devil and the guilt in one!

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On another note, we got the most delicious mushrooms at the weekend at the farmers' market, simply heavenly. And Alison over at My Little Happy Place posted this lovely collection of mushroom inspired interiors. It's all fitting in perfectly!

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Here's to the simple elegance and divine flavour of all things mushroom!