What a wonderful time of year to fall in love. With yourself, with someone else, with the faint sliver of a new moon smiling in an indigo sky - pick a card, any card. I have just returned from a weekend in the Sussex where the countryside is so hopefully alive with tulips and sunshine. Seeing such beauty persevere despite these dire international times is enough to make one believe in a god, or a benevolent cosmos, or a better tomorrow. Pick a card. I have this overwhelming urge to photograph everything all the time, to write it all down in hard-wearing journals so that I don’t forget. How good life can be when the sun comes out.
Here are your little things for April. Hold them up to the light.
Poem | ‘Tomatoes’ by Joy Sullivan
I waited so long for love and suddenly, here it is standing in the garden, hands full of heirlooms hot from the sun. Soon, we'll make a supper of them. Salted slabs between slices of bread. Your beard silvers. My hips ripen. The mail piles up. Phone calls go unanswered. Forgive us. Out mouths are full of tomatoes. We are so busy being small and hungry and alive.
Listen | Soft songs for April.
Curated by me.
Read | I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home by Lorrie Moore
It took me some time to read this book. It’s hard. My friend Anna once said that good writing doesn’t ask you to stare directly into the sun, but look to where that light casts its shadows. Lorrie does this with the topic of death and grief so well.
And when you’re done with it, read her short story collection, Bark.
Cook | three recipes to share with people you love.
Watch | The Darjeeling Limited (2007) dir. Wes Anderson
When Wes Anderson mania hit, I was fully drawn into it. I ticked off all his films as quickly as I could. But that is very different to truly watching something, isn’t it? People say this is one of his worst, but I disagree. This film is a masterpiece and a spectacle. Delicious, like a spoonful of freshly made marmalade, layered and generous and dense and slightly silly. Every frame has something new hidden within it. Rewatch as many times as necessary.
Visit | Suggestions for spring in London.
I am in between jobs and indulging in a dream life I couldn’t otherwise afford: one with daytime gallery visits and canal side coffee breaks with a good book. Here are the lovely things I intend to do in my city, while the spell lasts:
a morning at the National Gallery (I like to visit the Sassoferrato for as long as possible)
or the Serpentine Gallery, after a swim in the lido
A sunset pint at The Mayflower
Day trip on the Thames Clipper. Anywhere will do.
Inspiration | nice things to dream about.
Tenderness as a response to pain (thank you for sharing, Pam!)
Lastly, my latest print drop is here: ‘Majorca' Magic’ available for pre-order until 18 April. UK only.