26 Comments
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Cathy B's avatar

Scientific, poetic and thoughtful indeed!

Your work has inspired me to begin my own practice; this spring has come into sharper focus than previous ones. I look forward to each of your thoughtful interludes.

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Ann Collins's avatar

Thank you, Cathy. This makes my heart so happy.

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Kurashi no Koyomi's avatar

Oh my gosh this is gorgeous! Very much looking forward to the final product

(I also relate very strongly to your opener about collecting curiosities and seeing what can be made of them)

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Ann Collins's avatar

Thank you for the encouragement! It’s so good to have an ongoing project and watch it grow.🌿

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Jason McBride's avatar

This is such an incredible idea and so beautifully executed!

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Ann Collins's avatar

Thank you, Jason. I love reading about your backyard project. It reminds me of that wonderful book _The Secret Garden_

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Jason McBride's avatar

I’m afraid there’s a lot more swearing in my garden project than in that amazing book 🤣 But all gardens do seem to have a kind of magic they work on their tenders

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Ann Collins's avatar

Everyday magic is the best kind, for sure. Keep going! 🌿✨✨

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Nikki Lizares's avatar

I love this idea of the Periodic Table of Elements for the Forest. Are you arranging the elements in any particular order or is it by week?

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Ann Collins's avatar

Hi Nikki-- For this version I’m arranging it by microseason (about every 5 days) going top to bottom and left to right.

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Nikki Lizares's avatar

Can’t wait to see what wonders Nature will reveal! 🍃

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

What a brilliant correlation to the periodic table! I love your process, Ann! And, you’re using Canva too. Keep going. Looking forward to the progression of this project.

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Katharine Beckett Winship's avatar

I love this so much, Ann.

I think you have a Robin Wall Kimmerer beautiful brain.

Your design is genius. The forest knows you love her.🌱

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Ann Collins's avatar

🌊 The river feels the same way about you, Katharine. 💙

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Wren's avatar

Genius . Love it.

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Conny Borgelioen's avatar

I've always liked "antique science aesthetic" as well! And antique library aesthetic. Ideally, I'd like to have a house with a dimly lit library, complete with dark wooden shelves and oriental carpets and museum-like display cases with sextants and other brass sciencey stuff. Oh, and a huge antique globe that is also a drinks cart. I actually used to have one of those in my apartment when I lived in Ireland. It belonged to an aunt of my now-ex. She bought it in the US and brought it home with her when she moved back. But it was a copy. She bought it in Pottery Barn :)

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Ann Collins's avatar

How cool! I also love the Dark and the Light Academic aesthetics. Very cozy and romantic.

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Tavia's avatar

Wow! This is stunning! And inspiring... I'm in want of a heart project right now. Thanks for the encouragement to keep seeking.

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Ann Collins's avatar

Oh Tavia! Think of two things that might not seem to go together at first—maybe they actually do . . ?!

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Melanie Bettinelli's avatar

I love this dark alchemy of periodic table, microseasons, photographs, nature walks, poetry. It sings!

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Nelson Alward's avatar

Wonderfully creative. I enjoyed this immensely on this below zero day. Thanks.

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Ann Collins's avatar

So glad to be part of your cozy winter day, Nelson. Hold on--spring is on the way!

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Juliet Wilson's avatar

That's a wonderful idea, thanks for sharing.

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Ann Collins's avatar

Thanks so much Juliet!

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Julie Gabrielli's avatar

This is amazing! So creative and beautiful.

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Ann Collins's avatar

Julie, thank you! The idea of tiny five-day long seasons fascinates me. I really never get tired of thinking about new ways to work with the microseasons.

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