Saturday, January 16, 2021

Saturday

I've been reading Letters from Tove and enjoying it immensely.  

"Tove Jansson was born and died in Helsinki, Finland. As a Finnish citizen whose mother tongue was Swedish, she was part of the Swedish-speaking Finns minority. Thus, all her books were originally written in Swedish.


Although known first and foremost as an author, Tove Jansson considered her careers as author and painter to be of equal importance.

Tove Jansson wrote and illustrated her first Moomin book, The Moomins and the Great Flood (1945), during World War II. She said later that the war had depressed her, and she had wanted to write something naive and innocent. Besides the Moomin novels and short stories, Tove Jansson also wrote and illustrated four original and highly popular picture books.


Jansson's Moomin books have been translated into 33 languages"

Jansson was a prolific correspondent, and the letters are arranged chronologically and by correspondent providing an interesting look at her life from the time she was 16 and at art school in Helsinki, through her time studying art in Paris, and later wandering through Europe.  The next segment is to a friend who moved to America and covers much about the war years in Finland.  Initially, I thought this would be a slow read, you know, read a letter or two and put the book down.  It has not turned out that way, I've found it hard to put down.  

History, fashion, art, friends, family, and war experiences become real in these fascinating letters.

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From Letters of Note newsletter, an apt solution for turbulent times.  I agree that it is difficult to maintain anger when looking at a penguin.

When I begin to think at all, I get into such states of disgust and fury at the way the mob is going on that I choke; and have to go to the British Museum and look at Penguins till I get cool. I find Penguins at present the only comfort in life. One feels everything in the world so sympathetically ridiculous, one can't be angry when one looks at a Penguin.

John Ruskin | Letter to C. E. Norton, 4 Nov 1860 | The Correspondence of John Ruskin and Charles Eliot Norton



As soon as I finished disassembling cardboard boxes for recycling, I needed one.  Typical.

A flea market find from many years ago.  It usually sits on a shelf in the spare bedroom, but it came out for Christmas this year--I'm leaving it for now. 

I haven't done any weaving in several years,
 but this paperweight still pleases me.
There is a homeliness about it that I like,
and it's useful, too.


How is the week going for you?

Tell me something good, hopeful, joyful...
something that makes you smile and distracts 
you from personal, national, or world problems.

Up to my little room to write answer a few letters. :)


12 comments:

  1. Sorry, I am heading to the South Pole to find my own penguin. :~) (I wanted to write North Pole to make you laugh!) The Tove Jansson letters sound like my kind of reading. I am only about ten years behind on my reading, but this one is going on my to read list anyway.

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    1. I laughed anyway! Tove's letters are interesting in so many ways. She writes about art in general and her struggles with art, her family and friends in a way that almost feels like a novel. :)

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  2. I definitely want to get hold of the Tove Jansson letters, they sound perfect for these times. Have you watched any of the AMC Princes Ana videos? She's a five year old with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, a congenital condition causing joint contractures. She's often funny, quite precocious, and she talked in one video of wanting a penguin for a pet. The website seems to provide the financial support for Ana and her grandmother, her legal guardian, so there's a monetary aspect to it but it also supports a foundation to raise awareness about AMC and to help other families. The kid is extremely creative in her play and advanced in her vocabulary. She's been reading since she was two years old. I guess my special education work experience drew me to this site.

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    1. I saw some of the Princes Ana videos you recommended on FB a while back, Teresa. The child sparkles with intelligence and creativity. Ana and her grandmother are inspirational, and the fact that she wanted a penguin as a pet confirms Ruskin's belief in penguins for feeling good. Thanks for the reminder! I will check out the website and remember that role models come in all sizes.

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  3. I think our family is now going to add "Go look at a penguin" to the list of self care ideas!

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    1. Excellent! I may need a framed penguin photo for my little attic room. Then I could resolve a lot of issues easily even if I can't visit penguins in person.

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  4. Oh yes-I'd love to hold a penguin. I think I could get it to go to sleep. I have my own bird, a pet goose who has gotten rather LARGE this winter-to calm me down. She doesn't wear pants so I guess it's ok!

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  5. I bet that is a great book. I've only read her novel, The Summer Book, but definitely interested in discovering more. Something good... having a three day weekend! :) Hope this week isn't so stressful in the news!

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    1. The letters are so interesting, Iliana. I've really been enjoying them, and I'm adding The Summer Book to my list!

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  6. I ordered the Tove letters but I forgot until I saw your post again. They came while I was out-of-town and I had set it aside after opening the package. I'm counting all my recent impulse purchases as birthday presents to myself. I'll let you know if I like this book as much as you. I do love to read letters so I thought I'd take a chance.

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    1. I believe that we all need gifts that we give ourselves--make a purchase more special. :) Hope you enjoy Letters from Tove!

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Good to hear from you!