Comfort Cocoon
I managed just two emails before my self-imposed monthly schedule fell by the way side. I don't know if you noticed - April's newsletter was MIA. It was for a happy reason, I had two illustration commissions back-to-back, which were a complete surprise. But I'm beginning to discover that my approach to work is either near-obsessive, intensely focused energy or utterly paralysing overwhelm. So, here we are, at the May round-up already:
I write this in our attic study, amongst the half-opened boxes of our current storage crisis. Much like Ilona Bannister, my Room of One's Own is inextricable from my family's.
Squeezing in some time to journal (before the illustration blackhole) about time, storms, and connection.
Margaret Mead's quote, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has" was a permanent fixture on my student bedroom wall. This article on the 3.5% Rule reminded me of it. As has the awesome power of the group of Scottish neighbours blocking an immigration van on Eid.
I spoke about changes needed to the social security system to a cross-party group of parliamentary aides. Then I was quoted by Baroness Ruth Lister in the House of Lords (I'm 'one woman' five paragraphs from the end of her speech).
One vaccine down (only slightly scathed) and one to go for me. My tent behind a chemist doesn't come close to the treat of bumping into Yo Yo Ma after his vaccination.
Beverly Cleary's passing prompted me to dig out my tattered copy of Beezus and Ramona for our bedtime read aloud. Revel in this love letter to Ramona, Anne, Pippi, Hermione, Moana, Katniss, Arya, and Eleven (surely that needs to be a on a t-shirt).
I lost my sense of smell nearly 10 years ago and I've never really been able to express the impact it's had, but as a symptom of Covid, awareness for anosmia and its impact is growing. I didn't know smell-training was a thing, but I'm giving it a go. I'm never going to get back the smells I've missed (my newborn babies), I'll probably get it back just in time for their teenage aromas.
I was blown away by Hannah Gadsby's Nanette in 2018, and her 2020 show Douglas doesn't disappoint either. Her exquisitely written, first person piece on clothes, is stellar, and my must-read of this round-up.
These two poems: Don't Buy Her Flowers by Jen Feroze; and The Mushroom Hunters by Neil Gaiman.
Books read/reading: The Light Between Oceans, Odd Girl Out, and Tony Hogan Bought Me An Ice Cream Float Before he Sole My Ma. And a fellow book club-ee directed me to this article by Jeanette Winterson on the importance of libraries, still relevant today.
Theres something so very visually pleasing about this Lego Chocolate Cake - but if like me, you can't abide micro-sounds or auditory ASMR, do turn off the sound.
Watch: Promising Young Woman. See: Oh Amanda, Invisible things, Woodism, Loved Before. Eat: Doisy and Dam.
Thanks for reading. I'd love to hear what you thought, just hit reply and send me an email. And if you hear/see/read anything you think I'd love, please send it my way. Who knows, it might end up in my next newsletter.
Please share this with like minded souls.
xoxo,
Cat