07. Queen of the Hives
The Case of the Itching Artist
Hello, friend! That’s another week done and dusted! Hopefully you had some laughs, got some nice things to eat and enjoyed an interesting book. I’ve got it on good authority that only amazing things await you going forward!
Fishbird Catch of the Week
We post twice a week (Wednesday & Saturday) on the Fishbird Central blog. This week’s catch included:
The Roma Street Parklands - Flower Power!
I was lucky enough to live at the Roma Street Parklands for quite a few years, and never got tired of the view or access to such a stunning park. In this post we’ll take a turn around the park and also learn more about Graham the Echidna - a wise and mystical creature who dwelled in the deepest bushland of Australia and bequeathed parks to humanity. Probably. Thanks, Graham.
5 Books to Read in the Dead of Winter
The weather has certainly cooled down in my neck of the woods. To celebrate, let’s heat things up with 5 books to read in the Dead of Winter. These books are perfect for temps ranging from mildly chilly to below zero. Each tale brimming with ghostly apparitions, ghoulish mysteries, and detectives trailing footprints in the lightly frosted ground.
Not to be rash, but hive been itching to say …
You never appreciate the simple things in life until they’re gone. And by ‘you’ I mean ‘me’ and by ‘simple things’ I mean ‘being a human who is not constantly itching with hives’.
I’ve had hives this week, by the way. They’re not contagious, so read on.
Hives are the worst. I’m talking allergic virus reaction, not bees here. Bees are the best. Bees are the bees knees, honey - make no mistake. Hives on the other hand are sent by the devil to torment you. And by ‘you’ I mean ‘me’.
Why is it so hard not to scratch an itch that you know shouldn’t be scratched? Why is calamine lotion so runny and who’s going to clean up the puddle of it that I spilled in the bathroom? Why don’t humans have a button that can turn off any not-nice feeling at any given moment (that seems like a design flaw, not a ‘nice to have’).
I’ve given myself a pat on the back (and yes it turned into a scratch-fest) for still showing up to most of my obligations this week. It’s been a struggle. I’m looking forward to when I can stop being my alter-ego (superhero Rashly Scratchitt) and return to my normal human non-itch format.
Quick Fire Wrap Up
Currently Reading: ‘The Madwomen of Paris’ by Jennifer Cody Epstein (Amazon affiliate link). Nominated for ‘Best Novel’ in the 2024 Edgar Awards. The story of a young woman with amnesia who falls under the influence of a powerful doctor in Paris’s notorious women’s asylum, where she must fight to reclaim dangerous memories and her sanity.
Currently Watching: ‘Artists in Wonderland’ series on YouTube. An amazing collaboration between 5 artists from Europe and 5 artists from the USA - facing off in an epic mural battle. Enter the world of Ten Hundred, Slew, Doke, Tee2 Sugars, BlackBean, Jess Karp, Smoe Nova, Nick Moody, Kiptoe & Lazy Arts.
Currently Wondering: If all the vehicles suddenly became sentient, would the engine be its brain or would the passengers inside automatically become part of the brain/body. Would you get a chance to hop out?
Wishes for the Week
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead, friend!
I hope the people around you are supporting you to live a creative life. One that lets you broaden your horizons and take hold of new opportunities as they arise. If nothing else, know that I’m in your corner cheering you on.
Kindness, happiness & love.
Stay cool, punks.
'The itch of inspiration will never be confined.’ - Vincent van Gogh (probably)
Jen x