...introducing the book "The Lost Words".
Text by Robert Macfarlane and illustrated by Jackie.
On the back cover these words are written...
...giving a good idea of what the book is about.
Once upon a time, words began to vanish from the language of children.
They disappeared so quietyly that at first almost no one noticed -
until one day, they were gone.
But there is an old kind of magic for finding what is missing,
and for summoning what has vanished.
If the right spells are spoken, the lost words might return...
Inside are delicious watercolour paintings...
...like this one for BRAMBLE...
...each one with a "spell" to go with it...
...and each line begins with a letter that, when put together, spells the title of the poem.
Clever!
Here are a few more pictures to tempt you...
Our second event was with Alex Langlands...
...give a talk and lively demos relating to his new book Craeft.
To give a flavour...
In a period of meaningless mass manufacturing, our growing appetite for hand-made objects, artisan food, and craft beverages reveals our deep cravings for tradition and quality. But there was a time when craft meant something very different; the Old English word cræft possessed an almost indefinable sense of knowledge, wisdom, and power. In this fascinating book, historian and popular broadcaster Alex Langlands goes in search of the mysterious lost meaning of cræft. Through a vibrant series of mini-histories, told with his trademark energy and charm, Langlands resurrects the ancient craftspeople who fused exquisite skill with back-breaking labour-and passionately defends the renewed importance of cræft today
It was most interesting and I'm looking forward to a good read!
Both speakers told tales of how our world has changed...
...or is changing beyond recognition...
...and not necessarily for the better.
It's completely in accordance with my sentiments...
...and why I'm making changes in my own environment.
On the front of Alex's book are the words...
"How traditional crafts are about more than just making"
...he talked about the importance of THE MAKING...
...rather than simply the finished object.
I couldn't agree more!
Looking briefly at one of those craft (selling) channels this morning...
..the presenter was so eager to point out just how quickly you could get this item finished!
How about we focus more on the pleasure derived from the actual making...
...how good it can feel to sit quietly doing...
...and feeling relaxed and content.
Yes...of course you'll get pleasure out of the finished object...
...but let's enjoy the journey first?
x C
