Freya Sierhuis 🟥
@freyas
Lecturer in early modern literature; interested in literature & intellectual history; environmental humanities. Climate change and global justice. Working on a book on Joost van den Vondel (1587-1679). Views my own.
The landscapes and art forms of prehistory have a real hold over me at the moment, materializing when I am not looking for them: at the exhibition of trailblazing feminist land- and body artist Anna Mendieta, currently at the Tate Modern. And look at these miniliths, from the seaside in Ullapool!
The Hebrides are a paradise for birdwatchers: sea, mudflats, machair, heather, lakes, crags and hills. We saw Puffins, Great Northern Divers, Razorbills, White-Tailed Eagles, Arctic Turns and Skua's, but only this cheeky Rook that was after my chips was willing to pose.
We had a blast at Prague/Wroclaw. Travelling by European Sleeper train was a wonderful throwback to the 90's. Delighted sleeper trains are making a comeback! #EuropeanSleeper
Happy Beltane to all those who celebrate! Tonight we greet the coming of summer.
Yesterday we climbed Buckden Pike in Wharfedale. Stunning views of Penn-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, remains of an old leadmine and a rather moving WW2 monument. Encouraging also to see peat restoration in progress!
Those of you who know me know I love hiking in the Yorkshire Dales. But it is frustrating how difficult it is to get there if you don’t drive, own a car or just don’t want to use one for recreation. The (otherwise wonderful) Dales busses only resume service on the 20th of *April*. Seriously, people?
If you are feeling the cold, the darkness and the lack of sun, take heart and remember that yesterday we celebrated Imbolc, the festival that marks the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox and therefore, the returning of the light and of spring. We will get there.
Relishing my two-track teaching prep! Any tips for interesting takes on the rights of nature debate from a political theory perspective? Thankful for any tips/ suggestions.
Very much looking forward to discussing Tommy Orange’s new novel with the CISCS reading group. What amazing book!
Folks, what are you reading atm? Any recommendations, recent discoveries? I’ll go first:
Why do cat’s do this thing of cuddling their own paws? Stop it with the ridiculous cuteness!
Proofs! It was fun working on Philip Sidney for a change. On virtue ethics, Amazons and queer desire.
Always a good moment: our weekly Riverford delivery. Employee owned, B-corp, organic, plastic free. The food tastes amazing and I love Guy Watson’s write-up. Contents this week: sunmer turnips, donut peaches, plums, radishes and spinach ao….
A few hours in the National museum Budapest, getting to know the late antique and early medieval collections: Scythians, Dacians and Tracians, Goths and Avars. Amazing gold work and a fascinating example of skull modelling, a practice in use among the Huns.
After a day of reading Vondel’s scribbles which are full of corrections, exclamation mark, and bullet point like lists, there is only one conclusion: he was an tremendous perfectionist.