We enjoyed Thanksgiving and Christmas and are heading toward the new year. In December, I tend to do a mental review of the past year and try to put together some kind of plan for the next. Not really resolutions or goals but more of a direction. In 2013 it was downsizing what I own. In 2014 it was thoughtful consumption.
I recently received a book from a friend titled "The Life of a Bowerbird" written by Sibella Court. Sibella resides in Australia and the title references a native bird that takes great care in building a nest decorated with stolen goods and found objects- sort of like our magpies. Sibella relates to the habits of the bowerbird in her overwhelming love for the lost, the forgotten, the oddly beautiful. The book includes photos of things she loves....haberdashery, writing instruments, scissors, printing blocks...all manner of old and inspirational objects. She explains ways to organize and display your collections while her brother Chris Court's photographs provide beautiful and inspirational examples.
As I leafed through the book for the first time I noticed a remarkable resemblance in what we love. Old typewriters. Measuring instruments. Feathers. An idea began to take form to create some sort of narrative of the things that make me happy.
I opened the case of my Olivetti Underwood typewriter, rolled in a sheet of yellowed onion skin paper and began a list of those things.
I'm not quite sure where I'm going with this idea. Perhaps drawings? A bound book of some sort? We'll see where this leads. Once again, it's exciting to be starting something new.
Best wishes to you for a healthy and fulfilling 2015 spent doing what you love.
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