I walk at least 5 times a week. I live in a residential suburb. I am noticing feathers at the moment. I stand them in the soil. It’s kind of a ‘I was here’ when I walk past the next day they’re there waiting, a message to my future self.
Someone might already have mentioned this in previous Missing Words threads, in which case apologies, but the 1983 book The Meaning of Liff, by Douglas Adams and John Lloyd, described itself as ‘a dictionary for things there aren’t any words for yet’, the added conceit being that every word in it is also a place name. It has this: ‘Abilene – descriptive of the pleasing coolness on the reverse side of the pillow’. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Meaning_of_Liff
I am interested in when the trees get distorted by the fence or wire - and also how the shadows of trees and leaves get distorted by the wall they are projected on - It feels like a metaphor for what we are doing on a larger scale to our planet -
"Shape Sifting" is one of my default modes of pattern seeking + walking.
As a puzzle designer, I'm constantly on the lookout for interesting shapes that I can sculpt and embed within my puzzle designs. What shapes work well as a puzzle lock? How might I embellish a corner or an edge to create additional interest? How can I best make use of negative space to create a positive experience?
It's one of those self-designed gigs where the art of noticing is not only critical, but also richly transferable.
PS. We've been enjoying reading a few pages from your book every night as part of our family dinner routine and rituals. Tonight, "smelfie" triggered a smile-disguising groan of disapproval from the teen. Thanks!
Thanks for the reminder! As an Art teacher, I was used to suggesting exercises to students like looking for colour and shape in our environment. How fast we get immersed in our own existence and need a prompt to wake up! Now I'm the student and look forward to playing this with my grandchildren this afternoon:-)
Take the ferry to Algiers Point and walk the levee under the Crescent City Connection—incredible shapes from underneath the bridge, also the broken up rail tracks just below the levee. I made some beautiful pictures there.
On missing words, inspired from a friend: On the musical scale, notes in between the standards are considered flat or sharp ie. in the middle of A and B is A sharp or B flat, but that tone has a specific sound, surely worthy of its own 'name.'
Maybe just tack this on to your next routine errand that would normally be a there-and-back affair? Or go one subway stop beyond the routine destination and walk the block around that station?
Love this. I started looking for hearts about six months ago and it was remarkable the number of hearts I started to see in wood grains, leaves, rocks, etc. Now I'm inspired to mix it up and include other shapes. Thanks for writing and sharing.
I love the idea of poetry bombing. There's a group on Bluesky who share haiku every Saturday. I love the thought of every sharing them around their neighborhoods. Or randomly choosing an address and mailing an anonymous haiku of kindness.
I walk at least 5 times a week. I live in a residential suburb. I am noticing feathers at the moment. I stand them in the soil. It’s kind of a ‘I was here’ when I walk past the next day they’re there waiting, a message to my future self.
Oh that's a good one, love it!
I love this post, Rob!
You got me thinking about…
How nature changes our color,
Sun tan, wind burn.
How humans change the shape of water; place hand in the ocean, the wake of the water, as the fishing boats return to the harbor.
How humans change the shape of the atmosphere; a baseball sailing over home plate, a jazz concert.
I love the way the sunlight illuminates, reflects, shadows, and shapes itself around Holman objects.
How human and natural sounds interact; singing in the rain, the sails of a sailboat slapping against the high winds of a Nor’easter.
I love all of this -- making me think! Thank you :)
Someone might already have mentioned this in previous Missing Words threads, in which case apologies, but the 1983 book The Meaning of Liff, by Douglas Adams and John Lloyd, described itself as ‘a dictionary for things there aren’t any words for yet’, the added conceit being that every word in it is also a place name. It has this: ‘Abilene – descriptive of the pleasing coolness on the reverse side of the pillow’. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Meaning_of_Liff
Yes that book has come up but funny about this specific word!
Yes! One of the entries I know by heart (I’ve read it quite a lot over the years).
Heading out for my shape walk now-- thanks for the inspiration!
Wow! What fun. Ivan do it in my wheelchair and that brings me close to the ground. And gets me out of the house having an adventure.
I am interested in when the trees get distorted by the fence or wire - and also how the shadows of trees and leaves get distorted by the wall they are projected on - It feels like a metaphor for what we are doing on a larger scale to our planet -
"Shape Sifting" is one of my default modes of pattern seeking + walking.
As a puzzle designer, I'm constantly on the lookout for interesting shapes that I can sculpt and embed within my puzzle designs. What shapes work well as a puzzle lock? How might I embellish a corner or an edge to create additional interest? How can I best make use of negative space to create a positive experience?
What a cool gig!
It's one of those self-designed gigs where the art of noticing is not only critical, but also richly transferable.
PS. We've been enjoying reading a few pages from your book every night as part of our family dinner routine and rituals. Tonight, "smelfie" triggered a smile-disguising groan of disapproval from the teen. Thanks!
Ha ha that's great to hear!
Thanks for the reminder! As an Art teacher, I was used to suggesting exercises to students like looking for colour and shape in our environment. How fast we get immersed in our own existence and need a prompt to wake up! Now I'm the student and look forward to playing this with my grandchildren this afternoon:-)
That's perfect!
Take the ferry to Algiers Point and walk the levee under the Crescent City Connection—incredible shapes from underneath the bridge, also the broken up rail tracks just below the levee. I made some beautiful pictures there.
This is a great tip! I'll do it! Haven't been on the ferry in a good while. Thanks!
On missing words, inspired from a friend: On the musical scale, notes in between the standards are considered flat or sharp ie. in the middle of A and B is A sharp or B flat, but that tone has a specific sound, surely worthy of its own 'name.'
Very interesting one, thank you!
I’m going to try “one block walk” for my newsletter! Now how do I pick the block? Is there a random NYC block generator?
Maybe just tack this on to your next routine errand that would normally be a there-and-back affair? Or go one subway stop beyond the routine destination and walk the block around that station?
Ah I love that second idea, Rob! I will actually try that the next time I take the train anywhere!
Love this. I started looking for hearts about six months ago and it was remarkable the number of hearts I started to see in wood grains, leaves, rocks, etc. Now I'm inspired to mix it up and include other shapes. Thanks for writing and sharing.
Oh, hearts is a good one!
What a fun idea! I lead a walking group and we will have our first ‘shape shifting walk’ this week! Thanks for the inspiration 🚶♀️
The first photo reminds me of a category that I notice, which is the interaction of fences and trees, and buildings and trees. A small sample here https://springsmuseum.org/2021/10/01/a-neighborhood-phenomena-sampler/
Nice!
Love this idea. We have done mini versions as part of our creative flow sessions at Noise 13. the art of noticing is powerful
I love the idea of poetry bombing. There's a group on Bluesky who share haiku every Saturday. I love the thought of every sharing them around their neighborhoods. Or randomly choosing an address and mailing an anonymous haiku of kindness.
Thanks Sarah!