Angelic monkeys

I'll soon have lots of our own new visuals to show, but for now, too busy producing them. So for now, here are some old (1930s) Czech puppets that we love. Sorry, the image (used with permission by the way) is not the best, as the photo was not that good in the first place. But aren't they great? Good monkeys or evil apes do you think? Hard to judge isn't it?

Another scene from the book

theatre is Cesky Krumlov table is covered in a 19th century velvet patchwork owned by a friend in Suffolk, England Dragon is Czech, from a puppet museum Joker costume is 1920s, from Bohemia birds are from a Chinese screen chest is 15th century, from the Strahov monastery lion discs adapted from some we found on a door in Prague and so on and so on - crazy stuff in a way. We are like visual magpies. Not nearly as large and detailed as in reality I'm afraid (this is only about one eighth size) but it gives a good flavour.

Wonderful books

Just put this link on another journal and realised that I should also have it here. Wonderful, beautifully produced books - real literature, not commercial stuff (hence Howard, who runs this publishing company, is not a rich man!) http://www.twistedspoon.com We are too locked up in the studio now to really be in any way even a peripheral part of this scene (plus, well, when it comes down to it an Irish woman with a Russian man is a combination that even here tends to be viewed with a certain surprise among expats - more of this at some point no doubt). But, these are lovely books.

The first review

I think it's good (okay, it's good) but of course I immediately focus on the remark about the typos and want to hide under a blankdt somewhere. I must stop being so anxious. I also MUST find a decent editor here - the book went through two editors (both of whom were supposed to have experience) and still this. Oh well, I will stop fretting and try to focus on the nice bits! http://www.tarotpassages.com/bohemiancats.htm

Endicott Studio

I assume almost everyone reading this knows Endicott? But then again, perhaps not? So, here is the link to their Journal of Mythic Arts Summer Edition: http://www.endicott-studio.com/ Quite a lot of "magical" art irritates me, I have to say. Nowadays so much of it is a bit weak and woolly and not up to the standard of weird beauty that people like Kay Nielson set. But... Endicott is an unusually critical, intellectual voice - and all the more beautiful and enchanting for that.

A cat tailor in Japan?

We have spent so much effort on reassuring people that we do NOT actually dress up cats... and then I find this! CATPRIN, a tailor for cats. Ever imagined dressing up your lovely cat into a fabulous beauty? You don't have to dress her everyday, in fact she might not feel comfortable with a dress on for days. Just dress her up only on special occasions like her birthday, takes a photo and that should leave you lots of memories and fantasies. http://www.petoffice.co.jp/catprin/english/ I mean, does this cat look amused? I think not. and as for this poor baby - how embarrassing is that?

The cards, and a spread or two

as promised. The spreads were really me playing around, rather than asking any definite questions - although as I say, I did have to struggle a bit as the deck is somewhat determined to throw up the same cards repeatedly in spite of much shuffling. I can never make up my mind in these situations about whether there is a perfectly rational explanation or not - and in some ways one way or the other it doesn't really concern me. When I have some time tomorrow I may sit down and do a more serious spread though. First, here is a close-up Two Celtic Crosses behind the cut: