Crone worthy
The weekly Looby-list of good things: moomins, crone food, films, cats, auctions and meet-cutes.
Hello hello,
How has your week been?
Here’s this week’s list of good things:
Moomins hit the U.S.
The Lady of the Cold (see Moominland Midwinter) was back this week on our island with a windstorm followed by a snowfall.
As I write this, I’m sitting by our little wood stove thinking about the Moomins (my loves) being launched by Barnes and Noble as their latest initiative in creating “something better than just somewhere to pick up a book”. Books, giftware and a glittery new podcast narrated by Jennifer Saunders and Lily Collins (coming out March 1) are all part of introducing Tove Jansson’s world to a U.S. audience. I know that Moomin fans feel very protective of the beloved series, comics and characters, so I am sure I am not the only one who feels a little trepidatious about all of this. But if more people get to read all the wonderful stories, that can’t be a bad thing.
Crone Cooking: 52 things to cook before you turn 52
I turn 51 in a couple of weeks, which I think means I'm officially entering the realm of the crone. In an effort to stave off the existential dread of mortality, I am reinventing myself as a wise woman. And what wisdom do I have to impart? Hmm, well, not much earth-shattering stuff, actually. There are things like:
Don't stick anything too far into your ear
Put sunscreen on the back of your hands
Avoid puns if you want friends
Launch a newsletter asap, because it's very gratifying
Otherwise, nada. But I do like to recommend recipes.
Inspired by this list of 30 things to cook before you turn 30 (or how to measure if you're really ready for adulthood, apparently), I am compiling a list of 52 things to cook before you turn 52 (or how to measure if you're prepared for crone status). It’s a list of basics, classics, and things I’ve always meant to try. It's likely to change, but this is what I have so far. I plan to try a new recipe each week for the next year or so and see if I feel more crone-worthy by the end.
Grand-cat update
Speaking of being a crone, here’s an update on my very gifted grand-cat. When I say very gifted, you should understand that I reference all the grandmas that used to come into the bookshops where I worked in the 90s. They would invariably say, “I am looking for something for my x-year-old grandchild. They are very, very gifted, much more gifted than other children their age.” I knew what that kid really wanted to read was The Day My Bum Went Psycho, but their grandma took them home a hardbound, gilt-edged copy of Black Beauty, The Velveteen Rabbit or Don Quixote (really). Anyway, my very gifted grand-cat is doing very well in Montreal, despite the freezing temperatures. Here is some significant photographic evidence of her extreme talents:
Excitingly, I will get to meet my grand-cat in a few weeks. I might take her a copy of Bumageddon, the Final Pongflict.
Reach out to this show, even if we can't
Attention Australian readers, it's time to book that trip to Western Australia. My favourite artist is in town: "The Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA) is honoured to present celebrated Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara's first Australian solo exhibition. Opening on 26 February 2023, the exhibition Yoshitomo Nara: Reach Out to The Moon, Even If We Can't brings together major sculptural works alongside paintings, drawings, ceramics, and photography from world-renowned artist Yoshitomo Nara."
The 100-Day Project
I was pondering partaking in the 100-Day project. Are you? I am always so tempted by such projects. Inktober, Nanowrimo, etc etc. Putting a structure around creativity feels compelling, and a project conjures up a sense of accountability (see my crone-cooking thoughts above). I always overcommit and burn out early into any of these projects, then comes the guilt and remorse spiral (fingers crossed for the crone-cooking). Right now, I am stuffed to the gills with projects and plans. I don’t think it’s wise to take on another. So my 100-Day Project will be 100 Days where I take time out of every day to do nothing. I think I can commit to that. I’ll let you know.
Watching:
I watched The Squid and the Whale last night, which I had never seen before. I was surprised by how much I liked it; I am not a huge fan of other Noah Baumbach films, and none of the characters are particularly charming or likeable, but it was so honest, painful, and funny. Side note: the actor who played the younger son, Owen Kline, has grown up to direct his own films. His debut feature, Funny Pages, is a coming-of-age story about a cartoonist produced by the Safdie brothers for A24.
Listening
I am getting into the mood for my 1986 graphic novel (or will it be 2061? Still to be decided). So I am putting together a playlist of good songs from around 1986. A lot of really great pop tunes were released in ‘85 and ‘86. How could anyone discovering music around that time not love music for life? When sitting down to write, I like to listen to film soundtracks. I find something that suits the mood and the tone, and it usually works a treat for visualizing stories and characters. The soundtrack for Everything Everywhere All at Once has been working wonders. Now nominated for an Oscar, listen to Son Lux’s Ryan Lott (singer, pianist, sound designer and composer) talk about how the band created the soundtrack for such a complex film on All Songs Considered.
Bidding
Speaking of Everything Everywhere All at Once, A24 are currently auctioning costumes and props from the film. You could own (amongst other things) Evelyn’s shirt and vest, a pair of the original hot dog hands, Waymond’s fanny-pack, or Raccacoonie!
The auction, which lasts until Mar. 2, will benefit three charities chosen by directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. Their charities of choice are the Asian Mental Health Project, Laundry Workers Center, and Transgender Law Center.
Rom-com Podcasting
While I worked on some drawing this weekend, I listened to the new Let’s Make a Rom-Com, “A podcast where three comedians try to write a romantic comedy script having no previous experience.” It’s thoroughly enjoyable, and now I want to write a rom-com. Who am I kidding? I’ve always wanted to write a rom-com. My protagonist is a sassy gal, cooking her way through 52 recipes. The meet-cute is in the kitchen. Her handsome, rugged, Pacific Northwest bearded computer-guy husband unpacks the groceries he’s just picked up, ready for her to make a curry laksa. Their hands touch. Sparks fly. Good food is shared. Spicy!
We will be auctioning off the laksa in a charity auction after the film’s release.
Chime in!
A couple of weeks ago, I asked a bunch of questions* and got some great conversations going in the comments. I loved it, so I am going to try it again. Tell me one, some, or all:
What dish would you suggest for the “52 things to cook” list?
If you were to participate in the 100-Day Project, what might you do for 100 days?
What is your fantasy meet-cute scenario?
Can you estimate how much Raccacoonie might go for in that auction?
*Hat tip to the great substack, Situation Normal, from where I stole this idea.
Have a good week, people.
xo,
Claire
P.S. I have heard from several friends that have tried to upgrade to a paid subscription to get Wednesday’s content (and other sneaky treats and surprises) and had no luck. Either they couldn’t, thought they had but hadn’t, or got confused about how to go about doing it. If you have wanted to upgrade, but haven’t been able to for any reason, send me an email.
What’s coming up on Loobylu (aka The Subscriber Pitch):
The next paid-subscriber-only edition will include a special freebie I have been working on for Wednesday people. SnailMail is fun!
What came before:
In a recent paid-subscriber-only issue, I wrote a comic about being back in the ceramics studio. Recently I also looked at the benefits of daily sketchbooking, batch cooking for a week, and pretty painted houses.
Loobylu is a reader-supported publication free of affiliates, partners and sponsors. For access to past and future subscriber-only posts, support Loobylu with a paid subscription.
Ouch. Your no-pun wisdom hit me hard. Does this mean that your other wisdom is good too? Should I get around and start that newsletter (about food) I’ve been thinking abput for the past two years?
Anyway, only answering the first two questions, but 1: I’d say mayonnaise and choux pastry! Easier than you think they are and good for that feeling of kitchen mastery.
And 2: I’m not actually doing it, but it would be super boring as what I really need is strength training. I don’t like it. But it works. Bad combo. Although it is nice to be able to open all the jars by oneself.
1 - homemade pasta, preferably gnocchi
2 - I started and never finished: watercolors of the covers of my 100 favorite books
3 - I have always thought that falling in love with someone’s book annotations would be THE most romantic
4 - I don’t know, but out of all the props, I’d want Waymond’s fanny pack the most!