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Category: Design

Waiting for Godot

cartoon of the writer waiting for a mail delivery
November 18, 2025November 18, 2025 ~ Kana Smith ~ 30 Comments

Yesterday I was put in mind of a play I had to read for my Irish Literature class. You may have heard of it, though I kind of hope (for your sake) that you've never had to read it. Waiting for Godot is an entire play's worth of dialogue between two guys who are waiting … Continue reading Waiting for Godot

Pirates of the London Underground

the "tube map," a schematic diagram of the London underground subway
November 15, 2025 ~ Kana Smith ~ 12 Comments

This morning I listed some of the significant maps in my life, and there's another one that stands out in my memory: the London Tube Map! The Tube Map has been periodically updated, and stylistic flourishes added, but the basic design of this subway-diagram was created in 1933, by a smart fellow who realized that … Continue reading Pirates of the London Underground

Avoiding “Sketcher’s Block”

an open book of drawing prompt, with watercolor paintings for each prompt, and the open watercolor box
November 10, 2025 ~ Kana Smith ~ 10 Comments

I have a weird relationship with drawing and painting. I'm utterly ignorant, have never taken so much as a weekend workshop, couldn't tell you if that Italian word describes a painting technique or a musical instruction. I've figured out some stuff, just playing---some stuff about light and shadow and perspective, at least. You can generally … Continue reading Avoiding “Sketcher’s Block”

Cross My Heart

photo of the writer's wall with cross-stitch pictures pinned to it
November 8, 2025November 13, 2025 ~ Kana Smith ~ 6 Comments

When I was a kid, I loved paint-by-number kits. I remember they always came in three-packs (three paintings of horses, three paintings of lighthouses), and I loved everything about them. I loved the tiny paint-pots, all connected in a little plastic row. I loved stirring up the oil paints with a toothpick, watching the sludgy-looking … Continue reading Cross My Heart

Here a Duck, There a Duck

Filipino "Jeepney" (AI generated photo)
October 24, 2025October 28, 2025 ~ Kana Smith ~ 2 Comments

In the Philippines, the streets are crowded with--- Well, I could just make that a full stop. The streets are CROWDED. But among the things that crowd them are specimens of a form of public transportation known as the "Jeepney"---a sort of mashup between jeep and school bus, often open-sided and always painted with incredible … Continue reading Here a Duck, There a Duck

In Which Kana is Delighted by a New Toy

AI-generated picture of a cat zooming around a room with a bonkers expression on his face
October 22, 2025October 23, 2025 ~ Kana Smith ~ 8 Comments

I've been playing. It was another blogger, The AI Grandad, whose post about "falling down the AI rabbit hole" led me to exploring MidJourney, an AI program that produces images from the written prompts you give it. This rabbit hole runs deep! For a start, I managed to create a pretty good approximation of Yoda-cat's … Continue reading In Which Kana is Delighted by a New Toy

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"As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote. I love to sail forbidden seas, and land on barbarous coasts."

~ Herman Melville, Moby-Dick

  1. Katherine Mary's avatar
    Katherine Mary on What is WRONG With People?June 9, 2026

    Okay, this post made me laugh and feel sorry for you at the same time. I'm also one of those…

  2. Katherine Mary's avatar
    Katherine Mary on In Which We Don’t Sail Into the SunsetJune 9, 2026

    Whoa, I absolutely love this post! (And that last photo is amazing — I love your nails, by the way.)…

  3. Bridget Malone's avatar
    Bridget Malone on If the Present is a Gift, so is the PastMay 28, 2026

    The past is left behind. But some people get stuck in the past.

  4. benmunya12's avatar
    benmunya12 on In Which We Don’t Sail Into the SunsetMay 19, 2026

    A Father’s Humble Appeal to My Readers and Friends Around the World Dear Readers, Friends, and Fellow Authors, I write…

  5. William's avatar
    William on In Which We Don’t Sail Into the SunsetMay 7, 2026

    I used to sail. Seemingly a long, long time ago. 20+ years ago since I last hoisted a sail, but…

"It is not down on any map; true places never are"

~ Herman Melville, Moby-Dick

What is WRONG With People? A Pain in the Neck If the Present is a Gift, so is the Past Cow Physiology 101 The “Year in Books” On the Palm Tree as an Antidepressant Untitled Dragon Biography The Christmas-Tree Trade-In
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  • Blogger Call to Action: Please Help Me Happy-Dance
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"Not all those who wander are lost."

~J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

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