The Elegance of the Hedgehog or How a Good Book Warms the Soul

I finished reading Muriel Barbery’s The Elegance of the Hedgehog a few days ago, actually it has almost been a week. I wanted to write something about it but haven’t been able to put anything into words, at least appropriate words.

It was one of those rare books that gladdens the heart and makes you weep at the same time. I couldn’t read it fast enough, couldn’t put it down, couldn’t wait to get back to it. With a little more than 50 pages left, I settled into my spot on the back patio and dove headlong into this beautiful text.

This book is about big ideas and small things. The tiny pleasures of life fully enjoyed. Small observations leading to great understanding. Opposite stories gracefully intertwined.

As always, I jotted down sentences and noted things to further explore. But two quotes from the book really stood out:

“…but we all know perfectly well that, in essence, dreams and waking hours do not have the same texture…”

Think about the truth in those words.

And then:

“You might note that the most noble concepts often emerge from the most coarse and commonplace things.”

To compose common language into sentences that move the soul is a true art, and it is one to which I aspire. To do so requires living life and broadening experience, and one of the many ways to do so is to read. My father used to say, “learn another language, live another life.” I think the same is true about reading.

Giving yourself totally to another world, one made up of people and places and situations that you may never encounter, is more than a great way to spend a few hours. It’s a way to explore who you are, what you believe, and what the world means to you. At least it is so for me.

This book moved me in a way that I haven’t experienced in quite some time, and the sadness of ending such a masterpiece is in determining what comes next. What could I possibly follow this with? When will I shake the characters, or will I? Do I even want to?

My friend Teresa Southwell directed me to this book. Truly a gift, and one that I share with you now. Give it a go and see if it warms your soul.

Food and Wine

This past Sunday afternoon, I sat out back and read some of my food magazines. I’m the sort of reader that starts from the front and works to the back with a pen in hand and a pad of small Post-Its. I take several culinary publications, but I had limited time and decided to tackle Food & Wine. It was the October issue.

After more than hour, I finished. I had a great list of things to seek out and multiple tabs of food to prepare and wine to try.

Let’s start with the food.

I discovered Rancho Gordo, Steve Santo, and his heirloom beans. This is something I will definitely explore, particularly in the cooler (hopefully cold) months ahead. Although I must say that beans are good all year and can be prepared in so many ways.

There was a great article about Oaxaca that linked food and art and highlighted creativity in both arenas. The artists featured were Francisco Toledo, Gabriela Leon, Demian Flores Cortes, Guillermo Olguin, and Jessica Wozny. I was particularly intrigued by the lime and cucumber frappe, and on Monday evening I prepared the roasted pork loin with orange-herb sauce. With a nodding of the head and a mouthful, I was told it was quite delicious. I had a salad.

The magazine also included a story about cooking in clay pots, a technique that I must explore further and frankly know nothing about.

I usually copy down any interesting web resources, and there was no shortage in this issue. Here’s a brief list:

mexgrocer.com

vannsspices.com

zingermans.com

bramcookware.com

spanishtable.com

tienda.com

mytoque.com

gourmetsleuth.com

billsaxpottery.com

claycoyote.com

emilehenryusa.com

urbanicpaper.com

trudeaucorp.com

allmodern.com

broadwaypanhandler.com

Now for the wine.

There were many wines listed and featured, and the issue had more features than usual about wine. All good stuff and worth a read and review. I made a short list of wines to pursue.

2008 Aphonse Mellot La Moussiere Sancerre

2009 Crios de Susana Balbo Torrontes – Argentinean white

2008 Te Muna Road Sauvignon Blanc

2007 Westerly Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc

2008 Sigalas Barrel Assyrtiko – Greek

2008 Gaia Thalassitis Assyrtiko – also Greek

2005 Domaine de Nizas

2001 Crasto

2006 Gabo Do Xil

2005 Masi Campofiorin

2005 E. Guigal Cotes Du Rhone

2007 Qupe Marsanne

2008 Tiefenbrunner d elle venezie

2007 Kunin Red Zinfandel

2007 Errazuriz Merlot Estate

2005 Chateau d’ Aiguilhe Cotes de Castillon

2006 Taurino Salice Salentino Rosso Riserva

NX Freixenet Cordon Negro – sparkling

From the issue, I also prepared the Moroccan-spiced lamb patties with peppers and halloumi, and tonight plan to cook the Chilaquiles-style roasted chicken, although I’ll modify it a bit. By now you’re probably wondering what I eat. Well, sans the lamb the halloumi dish was fantastic served with a cucumber and chickpea salad. Halloumi is a Cypriot cheese, one that I love, and it is versatile and particularly good for grilling as it doesn’t melt down. For the chilaquiles, I will also make two batches, omitting the chicken in one. I substitute where necessary and always have a salad alongside.

With a grumbling stomach, I’m now hungry and think it’s time to head off into the kitchen. Kali Orexe!

Ladies Who Letterpress

On Saturday, I attended a workshop on letterpress printing at the Museum of Printing History. We were a group of five students and one instructor, all women. In short, it was a delightful and inspiring day. After the introductions, we quickly slipped into conversation, and it was like putting on a favorite old pair of jeans – we were comfortable, without restriction, and willing to share creative vulnerabilities. Kind of like showing your knee through a hole and not feeling exposed.

Our instructor, Suzanne, had/has a tremendous enthusiasm for letterpress. She has been teaching at the museum for many years and is currently pursuing a MFA at the University of Houston. She provided us with many take-home resources, and she was very helpful with all of us first-timers.

The museum is an amazing place, and I’m surprised that I’ve driven past it for several decades without having visited. Out of nowhere, it surfaced on my radar from two directions. My friend Andis Applewhite is part of a show of a newly formed Houston printmakers group. And then, my friend Kilby invited me to attend the workshop. Life is just that way.

Larger than one would expect, the museum has a small, well-lit gallery in the front and a uniquely stocked gift shop. It has large exhibit spaces for traveling shows and has a permanent collection showcasing the history of printing. It has many old and interesting pieces of equipment, and it houses resident printmakers and bookbinders.

But back to the ladies who letterpress. Here’s my shout out to the gals – Brenda, Ceci, Sarah, Molly, Kilby, and Suzanne. You all are fun! Our goal for the day was to create business cards, but we decided on calling cards. It allowed us more flexibility in terms of size, and we were a bit more creative with color and lettering.

In a dark room with wood floors and low ceilings, surrounded by really old letterpress machines, we dispersed to select our fonts. Kennerly and Park Avenue for me. We were using lead type, although the museum does have wood fonts as well, and were reminded that we should wash our hands and not lick our fingers. Selecting and setting type provides a new appreciation for the days of old when books like the Bible were set by hand. Spacing is tricky, and the letters are laid out upside down.

It took a bit longer than expected, but we laid out our cards and began to print. We used black and one additional color. Suzanne inked the black press for us, and then we used another for the various colors. Ceci was up first. We were a true assembly line as you’ll see from the photos below. In many, we are blurred from moving around because we were busy inking, cranking, stacking, and passing. There are a few also of us hunting for fonts.

This creative group of women was truly inspiring. I learned a lot about letterpress, but I also learned that we are companions in our artistic walks, sharing the same desires, the same impediments, and the same love for all things that afford us expression. I believe the universe conspires, and I think it did so on Saturday. It was successful.

October Update on the April 1st Project

I haven't spent as much time on the web in the past few weeks as I've had my head down writing. But I did discover a few new artists on a trail that I found. They are:
Ben Nicholson
Patrick Heron
Paula Rego
Stanley Spencer
Stanley William Hayter
Luc Tuymans

We were invited to an art exhibit featuring Melinda Buie. Her cows were fantastic. I don't think the photos do them justice. I was surprised at how much I really enjoyed them. Very nice.

We also went to see Karen Armstrong speak as part of the Progressive Forum. I have read her Short History of Myth and really enjoyed it. She's a religious historian and has a wonderful message. Here's a clip of her at TED.


And then on Saturday, we were in the audience at the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra opening concert. Brian Lewis brought tears to my eyes. He, along with all of the musicians, are fantastic. Joel Smirnoff conducted. They are a must see.

Here are a few clips from the April 1st journal:

If anyone is out there reading, and I know you are thanks to Google Analytics, comment on what's here. I'd love to hear some voices.