A Song for Monday

Courtesy of Fry and Laurie, circa 1992.

Yelp (with apologies to Allen Ginsburg).

created by Tiffany Shlain and narrated by Peter Coyote.

via Science Friday

A Bit of Late Winter Pessimism.

Embarrassed Republicans Admit They've Been Thinking of Eisenhower Whole Time They've Been Praising Reagan:

The misplaced adulation of Reagan has reportedly affected more than just Republican rhetoric, and seems to have had an impact on policy. Former president George W. Bush told reporters he "honestly thought" everyone wanted him to follow in Reagan's footsteps, which led him to emulate the 40th president's out-of-control deficit spending, fealty to the super-rich, and illegal wars.

Thanks for the laughs, Onion.

In other news: simple charts explain how 90% of Americans get almost nothing. (Hint: it's "class warfare" when working people want a fair wage and health insurance. via Wonkette.)

Notice the correct spelling and grammar on the signs (huffpost via google).

And I didn't even mention the Koch brothers (via fresh air).

Weekend

Here's mine:

This came out of the oven about an hour ago (recipe via pinterest and evilshenanigans):

Just got The Decemberists new album, The King is Dead, from the library. Can't wait to listen:
(Update: just listened. Terrific album, but they had Gillian Welch and only used her as a backup vocal?? For shame, Mr. Meloy.)



How To Die in Oregon. Showing at the Portland International Film Festival this weekend. Update: this movie is powerful, difficult to watch, and very, very good. See it on HBO this spring if you can.

Tonic.

Ronald Reagan has become "He Who Must Not Be Named" at our dinner table because my kids have heard me disparage him so often. Things have been even rougher lately due to all the RR-worship going on by the Republicans. Thanks to a link from the terrific Self-Styled Siren, I had the pleasure of reading this little antidote from James Wolcott.

 

collage by Grete Stern, 1949.

Science Valentines

I'm not into Valentine's Day, but I couldn't resist posting these:

from stephoodle's etsy shop, via pinterest.

Current obsessions, part two

Neutral colors.

(River Birch texture photo by Blake Hall.)

(from the brilliant Martha McQuade.)

(via Ill Seen, Ill Said)

(via Pinterest) 

Rings. I've never worn many rings until the past year or so. Now I am slightly obsessed. Nothing dainty, either.

I have gradually collected a few rings from Jessi Taylor's Etsy shop. Here are some of my favorites (not all mine, sadly):

Anne Arden McDonald is a sculptor in Brooklyn. She says, "I wanted to make rings with content, pieces that would be intimate and symbolic to the wearer, which was something I didn't see in the world around me." Her rings are organic, a little bit rugged, always graceful.

A few more--

This is a dark drusy with diamond by Jamie Joseph:

And a Helix ring from Leah Sakellarides:

Steve Edge

"Dress for a party, and the party will come to you."

(link via Cerre, more about Steve here.)

Current obsessions, part one

Been spending more time in the studio lately and less online.

Here are a few things I'm a little obsessed with lately:

Linen. The real thing. I got one of these wonderful linen bath sheets for Christmas (previously seen in an "Etsy Finds" post). It's huge, it's soft, dries fast, and if I take care of it, it'll last forever. But now I want more linen things.

Like this apron from Fog Linen Work:

Or bed linens:

(Couleur Chanvre via 365Blanc.)

All things Scandinavian. I've had this one on and off ever since I was a teenager. One of these days I will go there, but in the meantime, I'm enjoying my private version of the Scandinavian aesthetic.

(landscapes by Swedish photographer Elinor Wermeling.)

(Aalto vase.)

(Swedish barn house found via Pinterest.)

(Interiors via From Scandinavia With Love, here and here.)

(found via Pinterest.)

(all from Hope Stockholm's A/W 2010 collection.)

You're Not the Only Oyster in the Stew

Fats Waller, recorded with his "Rhythm" ensemble on September 28, 1934, featuring Herman Autrey on trumpet, Mezz Mezzrow on clarinet, Albert Casey on guitar, Floyd O' Brien on trombone, Billy Taylor on bass, and Harry Dial on drums.