Recently, I have learned (and will never forget) the sound of tree branches falling to earth. The damage from a snow storm two years ago plus a drought has weakened a lot of trees. The weight of ice snapped branches and in some places pulled trees right out of the ground. That sound sent me …
I've been watching videos about cutting up books. I love cutting paper, my own writing included. I love making things like this paper city in a box and other layered paper concoctions. But then...what do I do with them? Well, that's a problem for another day. In the meantime, what is it about paper that …
It's the Year of the Rabbit (unless you live in Vietnam). If you've followed my art, you know I love rabbits. So, I'm happy to throw myself into rabbitdom for a while. And the Chinese zodiac has encouraging things to say about the Rabbit Year. But... It's the Year of the Rabbit! And I'm excited …
This January I've spent contemplating the year and clearing out spaces. My closet looks so much better! I admit, it makes me happy to look in there and see how everything is in its place. I let go of several projects. Some ideas enchanted, but, gosh, just deciding I wasn't going to do them and …
How is the beginning of the year? I've made a couple of things--a handmade sketch book and an ornament. I've been writing, but that's a mess. And I've been taking time to acknowledge the blue hour. I have an app on my phone to tell me the phase of the moon. I go outside to …
Ah, the New Year begins! The 4th of July waves flags. Halloween carves pumpkins. Christmas decorates trees. The New Year writes resolutions. Sure. You can dismiss the idea, you can dig in your heels and plant your flag in the sands NoImNotGonna Land, but like avoiding red-white-and-blue, candy, and Christmas carols, good luck avoiding the …
I've long felt the week between Christmas and New Year's was weird, unsettled, drifting in some kind of void. Even back in my retail days when this week meant harried hours at work, the time still felt unlike any other. Well, of course I'm not alone. Austin Kleon introduced me to the term Dead Week. …
In the heat of summer (in this northern hemisphere), the holiday season seems so far away. Now, as I type, Christmas Eve arrives within the hour. It's that time when we often look back and look forward. What did we accomplish? What did we lose? What will we change? What is to come? For many …
I suppose I could write one of those end of year lists. But I'm not together enough to list top ten movies or top ten books. Do you keep track? Maybe list-making is something to try first thing in the morning when more energy zips through my brain. What can I even remember about this …
Have you ever been in an abandoned house? In 2001, This American Life told a fascinating story of a house whose family disappeared. And certainly, even if we don't venture inside, we've all seen houses that appear abandoned. Do you ever wonder what's inside? What happened? Why do people just leave so many things? Sometimes …
Marta Bacon 