This curious looking flower caught my eye on an exploration of SW London woodland a year or so ago. Its petals are chequered. Recently, I visited the same site, excited to find it had sprung up once again. I read up about this flower: the fritallary; it is actually incredibly rare - the UK's 'most exotic flower'. More thrillingly, where they exist, they are likely to have grown for centuries. Yet they can be easily destroyed in one simple ploughing. There were but three or four examples of the flower around in a space of no more than two or three square feet. To be around these flowers feels like a precious secret. That they're still here today shows how nature always finds a way; nature is tough. I felt like having a real explore this day. It was sunny as can be, with ultra blue sky, and chirpy, cheery birds. I hadn't been to the secret little woodland in a long time - you can have a real clamber about as it is partly on a hill, with so many layers of wildly different trees, shrubs, flowers, really thickly built up - like another world, and yet you are still in London. This is where I would take anyone who had negative ideas about London - to show how it can really be! I delighted in the different sights and textures of various tree bark. Nature fascinates me like nothing else - immersing myself in it like this is my calm and my fun and my antidote to so many things in loud, demanding, fast-paced life. We've got to treasure and preserve our green open spaces.
Rejoice! We've been offered rare chance to have our say about public libraries - their structure and their future delivery. An independent report has been commissioned and the public has the chance to comment on:
* The core principles of libraries (I read this as their purposes and their ethos) * The way libraries are currently run (if your libraries give you what you want, and if they include the things you want - I guess this could include stock, specific services like IT and education, opening hours, and who they cater for) * The role of libraries (what they give the local community, and the ways things are offered to you) It is rare that the public get consulted about libraries. I think it says a lot that as a library campaigner, I have only just heard about this public consultation now - and it's been live for over one month! Please take the time to HAVE YOUR SAY! Link to libraries consultation Deadline is 21st March. I bought a few zines at the Yorkshire Zine Weekend: Isn't it a many-splendid sight? Glowing in the sun too: Some bought from individuals' tables or when they approached me, some bought from distro tables, some were swaps, a few were free. Plus loads of flyers, the odd CD, and badges. Always badges:
Athemaura zine is coming to the Yorkshire Zine Weekend in Sheffield and Leeds this weekend.
The final glue has been placed in the newest issue of Athemaura zine, and the final photocopying is about to begin, courtesy of excellent public libraries. Looking forward to discovering new zines galore, hanging out with zine friends, and meeting new zine creators too. I hear that you can swap a copy of your zine for a free ride on the circular slide they have in Sheffield! There are also zine readings, workshops, post-zine fest party, and I think I heard there is even a specially crafted zinester beer?! (Issues 11 and 12 of Athemaura)
Issue 12 of Athemaura is newly ready to go. Above are the master pages. Themes covered include: feminist heroines in film (including Wadjda and Frances Ha), my history with making zines going back to the days of electronic typewriters!, reflections on perfect pubs and arguing against gentrification of pubs, an article about temporary workers' rights and how tough it can be as an agency worker/how you can get treated, thoughts on library work, bird sightings, and other assorted things. Issue 12 of Athemaura comes in time for the Yorkshire Zine Weekend, where the zine will be on sale all weekend. I did that usual thing where a dozen ideas come to mind that had to be made into zines right there and then and in time for a zine fest. But I honed in on making this one new issue for now. It does come pretty hot on the heels of January's issue 11, though, I must admit. Issue 11 is s round up of highlights and memories of 2013, including the ludicrous number of zine events and things I was involved in last year, also travel, gigs, and learning to take better care especially when involved in many creative pursuits as well as working in (then) really tough job circumstances. The zine goes into 2014, looking ahead to a calmer year in mind, as well as some of the year's highlights so far. Etsy has now been updated with the new zine if you would like to buy it. There can be a divide between perzines/text-heavy zines and illustration/comic/art zines. I don't mind admitting that I used to have a barrier between me and comic 'zines. It's true that I will never have any love for the super-hero stuff - though I don't dismiss that trait of loving them, in other people - but I have now seriously warmed to comic style 'zines. That is, hand-drawn picture-filled 'zines, sometimes done as strips/stories, sometimes as accompaniment to personal writing, sometimes the dominant narrative. I think the zines that first turned me around was a music zine by Sammy Boras and Sarah Fogg. The topic and slant of humour drew me in, and their drawings/comics are just so skilful and full of personality; really good fun. The bands did not have to be ones I know/love for me to fall in love with Sammy's work. She makes many other zines, so do check out her Etsy shop. Sammy Boras makes the most incredible zine badges too! Soon after this, I met Lisa Stockley at a zine fair, and was so instantly smitten by her perzine which is full of her drawings. The Jellygoose Chronicles zine is just so cool! It is a real breath of fresh air. Dealing with serious issues like bulimia, as well as larking about, and with the most detailed and careful and wonderful drawings/art. This felt like a real turning point when I became totally open to comic style zines. Another zine that gets my vote is by Joe Besford. His work with Earthling Brains is excellent fun. He uploads a weekly comic strip, chronicling little life incidents/thoughts/jokes, on his site. I prefer to have the printed collection to go through. One of my favourites here is about work!: A zine called Scary Hairy that I found at the Radical Book Fair last year was really amazing, too, about reactions to and perspectives on female body hair. Lastly, I want to mention a really cool Belgian zine I found at a recent zine fair. Scissors and Chainsaws is a 'diary/comic zine' that was made for international zine month 2013. It is bursting with real life adventures of the feminist/anarchist creator. I can't wait to read more from Echo Publishing.
I got this recipe from the Human Society International, and I thought I'd share as it seems really colourful and delicious. I'll be trying it soon as it contains some of my favourite foodstuffs!:
Black Bean, Mango, and Avocado Salad Ingredients 1 15- or 16-ounce (400g) can black beans, drained and rinsed 1 medium avocado, diced 1 mango, diced (or use thawed frozen mango pieces) 1/2 red bell pepper, diced 1 to 2 scallions (spring onions), thinly sliced 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons lime juice Minced fresh cilantro (coriander) to taste, optional Directions Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and serve! |
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