I always eat avocados through the winter and I save the pits to make into inks. I let them dry on a tray on my window ledge and collect them, husk like, in a bowl. Last time I made avocado ink was shortly before I went to California for my residency. I made it with alum and it was a sort of peachy pink. This time I added baking soda ( I used an Australian recipe and had to google bicarb soda, lol), and ended up with a magnificent rosy purple.
Last time I ordered supplies, I treated myself to a set of glass beakers and stainless steel funnels. I had to hold myself back from announcing it in the group chat I have with my sisters. I did know nobody would care and definitely would not be as excited as me. Hahaha! I have used this new equipment the last few times that I made ink and it has enhanced my experience indeed. I should do a group shot of my supplies because I find them beautiful. I did include them in some process shots.
I bottled up the inks and brought them to On Paper Books where the Ocean Vuong book I ordered, Time is a Mother, was ready and waiting. I listened to him read from it and talk about it on an episode of On Being with Krista Tippett ( I also love Poetry Unbound with Pádraig Ó Tuama, omg). The episode is called A Life Worthy of Our Breath, and it was the first I had heard from Ocean Vuong. I had seen his novel in Drawn and Quarterly (my fave in MTL when I lived there), but I had not read his poetry. I love the sound of his voice, especially when he reads his poems. The tenderness and tough truths. With tendeness he stares down The Bull, because he has to.
I am savouring it early in the morning with my first coffee. Only a little at a time so I don’t devour it whole.