- I Read

'Valkyrie' by Edward Robert Hughes, c. 1915.

I went for a walk in a privately owned forest today and realized that forests and groves in Scandinavia are symbolic of how our society works.

When I try to explain to foreigners that our society is part capitalist and part socialist they don’t get it because in their eyes the two shall never meet but I don’t think it’s that hard to understand.

Thanks to capitalism you can amass wealth and own fancy cars and a mansion with a forest but you can’t get as wealthy as in other countries like China or the US because the richer you get the more taxes you have to pay so thanks to socialism Scandinavians can’t be as poor as people in those other countries either.

I grew up poor by Danish standards but that just meant I couldn’t have fancy clothes or go on vacations and I have many memories of sitting with my little fingers on the radiator during winter because I was cold and my parents couldn’t afford to turn up the heat but I never went hungry or with holes in my shoes. I didn’t even understand that I grew up poor until I was an adult and compared childhood memories with my friends. The only people I’ve met who were poorer than me were those who had a serious drug or alcohol addiction.

And that’s why forest and groves are symbolic of that. You can be rich and own a forest but thanks to Scandinavian Right to Roam laws you have to share your forest with the public because land is wealth and you can’t hoard it like an old dragon.

Hilda by Duane Bryers

(via the author, at the Ex Bird place)

Mossy mushroomy A-frame cabin commission, with its little pals

I got no photos of my favorite design decision: ceramic "rafters" supporting the needlefelted moss. They'll get their time to shine whenever the felt biodegrades, which will be a while.

the lover’s almanac : part one.

The word garbage sounds like it should mean clothing

Hyperallergic

My Grandma's Doilies Are Not a Joke

When will art institutions finally pay respect to our foremothers’ artistry?

This all day long … Elena Kanagy-Loux's article is right-on. I myself have made it a point in recent years not to share any content that glibly uses the phrase, "not your grandma's " because it's a) lazy and b) dismisses the real fact that grandmothers and older textile artists have worked hard to keep craft traditions alive and evolving, not to mention their immense skills. We should be thanking them and looking to them for inspiration, not mocking them. via @hyperallergic ❤️

btw curating a beautiful environment is about honouring yourself. when you choose to surround yourself with things that are well-made, thoughtfully designed, and meaningful, you affirm that your daily experience matters. investing in quality over convenience sends a subconscious message of self-worth that is completely foundational to building a better life.

i think it’s really important for everyone to have high standards in love. then, it’s important for people to start treating themselves the way they expect from a loved one.

learn to write long reassuring passages for your own self when you feel low. likewise, make a make a cup of herbal tea and make a playlist for your own self. take pictures of you smiling under the sunshine and post that appreciation post for your own self. watch the movies that you would make your loved ones watch and cook your favourite meal for the movie. tuck yourself in bed with a cozy blanket and turn those fairly lights on for your own self. buy flowers and buy tiny little gifts. take yourself out to a cozy places and write poetries about you being in love with yourself despite the struggles. tell yourself that you still love yourself when you’re breaking down and your mascara has spread beneath your eyes because of the tears. tell yourself you’re in love with the mess because you’ve also always loved the best.

learn to be in love with yourself the way you romanticise someone else doing it for you because at the end, it’s you who will complete you.

-nishtha.