Thursday, April 2, 2015

h is for hawk



Hello friends. I'm reading a marvelous book, H is for Hawk, by Helen MacDonald.
It's "one part grief memoir, one part guide to raptors, and one part biography of T.H. White," (who wrote about falconry in The Goshawk before starting The Once and Future King). That quote is from this essay on the book in The New Yorker (please let me know if you can't access it).

Macdonald writes beautifully, and I am making myself read slowly,
to savor it.


I'm going somewhere warm and sunny this weekend,
and am so excited to see real flowers growing out of the ground
as my year is still covered with snow.

(I meant to write "yard" not "year" but will leave as is--
it seems apt.)

It's a bit early, but I wish you a happy Easter, Passover, and weekend
filled with your favorite combination of friends, family, food, flowers
(and of course books).

xo, Jen

31 comments:

  1. Hello Jen,

    We had to smile at the 'Field Notes' peeping out at us from behind the book. We still have and use our trusty little notebooks that we won in a giveaway you organised what seems like an age ago. One of these goes everywhere with us, ready to jot down details which, increasingly, get forgotten otherwise. We have to say that the notes are rarely made in a field these days but they have been in some most unusual situations and serve to remind us of you a friend we have never met but one we know to be dear to our hearts.

    Wishing you all joy and hope this Eastertide!

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    1. I too, love those little notebooks, Jane and Lance, and carry them everywhere. I especially like how comfortable they fit in my pocket, as I try to travel light these days.

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  2. Hello Jen, This seems a good year to be planning excursions to get away from the bad weather, which seems not to end. I am looking at that problem now from the opposite side. Anticipating the oven-hot weather of the summer in Taiwan, I am working to plan a trip back to the usually idyllic summers of the Northern States.

    I love your macro-micro approach to painting, as with these summery flowers. So often both approaches are necessary to understand the nature of things.
    --Jim

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    1. I didn't realize that Taiwan gets so hot. I would love it if you wrote some posts on Taiwan! I do think my obsession with flowers has to do with wanting to get to/convey their essence.

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  3. Your paintings are lovely, Jen; I admire their bold delicacy.

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  4. I hope the sun and warmth do good things for you this weekend. :) and I do wish you would think about selling some of your paintings. I especially like the "micro" one, as Jim described it.

    wishing you a blessed and happy Easter. xo

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    1. Thank you, dear Sarah. I am getting closer to a place where I will consider selling, though I hate the idea. I need a business manager!

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  5. The book sounds interesting, Jen. I read a memoir some time ago written by a woman falconer, about how she learned the craft. So interesting! I love your paintings, esp the top one. The colors are gorgeous and I love the shading of the ocean.

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  6. Jen.. So happy to hear that you will be warming up this weekend in a sunny spot. I hope the flowers put on a splendid show wherever you are! So happy to see that you continue to find your "inner-pink!" I'm with Sarah, wish you would Etsy some of your work. One of those pinks would find a South Georgia home! Safe travels.... Photos, please! Susan

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    1. I started to put some on Etsy, Susan, but backed off. Maybe some of the small ones soon. Thanks so much for your encouragement.

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  7. a warm place, sounds lovely. happy Easter to you too xoxo

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    1. Thanks, Petra. I needed that change of scenery!

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  8. I read the review for this book - looks interesting. My two neighbors and I have our own little book club. I just finished The Sun Also Rises by Hemingway. It really is a fine book and hasn't aged. All our wildflowers are in full bloom, spring having come a couple of weeks early because you got all of our winter. Have a fine trip.

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    1. I need a new book club! I made my best friends in NJ through one. I try to get to one at the local bookstore--it''s very good, but at lunch time, so I can't always make it. I want to see pictures of your wildflowers, Karen!

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  9. P.S. Love the big blousey (sp?) roses painting.

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  10. Oh I remembered Yeats: Now I have learnt to be proud, Hovering over the wood, In the broken mist, Or tumbling cloud.
    Spring has been opening its windows. Have a nice weekend.

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  11. Your paintings distracted me from everything else, they are beautiful. Your confidence is showing :) I'm in love with the blue one so I'll probably come back to peek a few more times! Enjoy the Sun and the flowers!

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    1. Thanks so much, Amelia. I am, finally, gaining some confidence. Getting there…

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  12. Hope you will have a wonderful Easter in that warm and sunny place. It sounds really good! Lovely paintings too!

    Madelief x

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  13. I've placed the book on reserve at the library - thanks for the introduction. I'll join in on loving your paintings. Beautiful,beautiful work.
    Mary

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    1. I think you'll enjoy it, Mary!
      I appreciate your kind words.

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  14. Just discovered your blog. Sending warmth your way from Southeast Texas.

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