In a bit of philosophical mood...

Sometimes I am suddenly reminded of why I read... it is amazing how from time to time jigsaw pieces in your head occassionally come together in your head. I always feel very invigorated when that happens.
I have just finished a book called, how I lived for a year on a pound a day, which is a fun read. If only for the fact that you become aware approximately halfway through of a shift in the writer's attitude towards consumerism, but even more so towards life itself. It is amazing how much more creative people become if they have to make do and mend as it were, even if that is a voluntary choice. It gave me a few things to look at myself, which is interesting.
I also started reading Alan Bennett's The clothes they stood up in. Now, I love Alan Bennett ever since the Talking Heads series on the BBC. But until recently I had not read any of his prose. A couple of months ago I read The uncommon reader and straightaway loved his way of writing. It is deceptively simple. devoid of any unnecessary descriptions. Very bare in a sense, but witty and to me very insightful. I do not know whether it is because I just finished Kath Kelly's book, but I certainly saw a parallel. This little book is about a couple who come home one day, finding they have been burgled and literally everything has been taken. It shows how they cope, and how the eyes of the woman suddenly are opened to all sorts of things (the corner shop, a cafe etc.) which had always been there, but which before she simply had not noticed. To me it shows how suddenly your life gets enriched if you look beyond your own littly box, or comfort zone even. How you get more creative with life, how you discover new interests and places to see.
That is a wholly positive outcome of something, anything that can happen to anyone of us in life. We all encounter adversaries throughout our lives, but I guess there is something after all in the saying: What does not kill you, makes you stronger... It does open new doors.
The other day I went to a little fair in a tiny village in the Eastern part of the country. This one has been held every year for the last 30 years, but I never had heard of it before... you learn something new every day...
It was not hugely exciting, but it was a fun day out, there was a fun fair and live music and a market with the usual crappy commercial things. But, there was a little sections with some traditional crafts, which was great. It is lovely to talk to these people as they take so much pride in what they make.
There was a basket weaver...
And he was churning away... I bought some buttermilk for my mother from them which she absolutely loved.
And witches can not have been far away, I had meant to buy a broom, but forgot in the end...
And as it is called Klompenfeest (wooden shoe festival), he certainly had to make an appearance...

To celebrate the start of autumn, I made myself this cocktail yesterday.

Blackberry-mint julep
Serves 4

1/2 cup packed fresh mint leaves
1 pint blackberries
6 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup bourbon
4 cups small ice cubes
4 sprigs of mint for garnishing

Roughly chop 1/2 cup mint leaves.
Puree the mint, blackberries and sugar in a blender. Push through a fine sieve in a bowl, discard seeds.
Rinse blender, then return puree to blender and add bourbon and small ice cubes; blend untill smooth. Divide mixture into 4 glasses. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Then sit back, enjoy greatly and start planning your Autumn/ Halloween decorations and crafts. Or at least that is what I did!

Have a fun and colourful week!