I took some time recently to sit down + find some books to put on hold at the library. A few days later, we were able to pick up this exciting stack! It really made my day to have so much possibility at my fingertips. My current comfort with borrowed books is enhanced by knowing that our library is quarantining returned books for three days in order to minimize their chances of being Covid-carriers. We are able to pick up books via a drive-thru, which minimizes human contact too.

I've enjoyed reading Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie + Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall. I'd been looking forward to watching On the Basis of Sex again with my girls. This movie stirred up so much emotion + made me think so much of the current Black Lives Matter movement...changed thought + culture making us ready + able to bring about a great shift in legislation. And then the final Ruth Bader Ginsburg quote of the movie, "I ask no favor for my sex, all I ask of our brethren is that they take their feet off our necks." So, yeah...tears.

Beautiful plus sized sewing patterns.
Dance, monkey.
Something I no longer recognize.
Painting for conservation.
If you sit at my table + eat with me, you will know who I am.
Fight for democracy + the USPS here + here.
Get out the vote!

Hope you have a weekend full of bright spots, friends!

Love,
Jane

it's a state of mind

Tokyo Stories just makes me happy. The colors are bright. The photos intrigue + transport (especially nice right now). And the recipes promise flavors as varied as a fizzy yogurt drink like the ones offered in Japanese vending machines, noodle sandwiches, flavorful noodle bowls + dumplings.

I came across Tokyo Stories while searching for Vegan JapanEasy (which I would still like to see). Tokyo Stories was the Tim Anderson book that was available at our library, and I'm so glad that I found it.

Love,
Jane

It's been almost a week since I decided to paint for 30 days, and it's been really good. Not that I have any particular skill...it's just been fun to have a sort of arbitrarily imposed requirement to sit down in this spot by the window to play with paint. Each day I've felt like something new comes to mind in regards to this practice...nothing revolutionary...but a little something that feels worth my notice. A few of those thoughts are:

• I'm learning brush control skills
• I make the most interesting color combinations when I just choose as I go
• my hand is not a camera (via) = obvious + liberating :)
• things can take shape when I just begin + don't have a plan 
• I'm seeing things throughout the day with an artist's eye more often now

It's really quite enjoyable to observe all of this happening out of such a simple practice. I'm interested in seeing what happens next...no great expectations...but I am going to show up for it...whatever it is.  :)

Love,
​Jane

Immortality was never won by doing normal.
​~Jenny Mustard

There are a few adaptable, staple meals that we eat on repeat. One of them involves roasted potatoes + whatever other vegetable is in-season. This week's summery variation took advantage of tomatoes + peppers from our garden as well as corn, avocado, scallions + hot sauce. Colorful + delicious! It's always nice when someone at the table says, "I could eat this every day!"

Love,
Jane

Hoping this will bring a little more color into these pandemic days. Hoping you are all finding some beauty in these days as well.

Love,
​Jane