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  Have a Happy Thought: People in the ancient world had… interesting ideas about what animals were out there in the world. For example, meet the Bonnacon. You see how the people are holding their noses? Apparently this bull-horse mashup excreted very stinky poo at a very high speed whenever it was threatened. (Although if this picture is correct, it is very embarrassed at doing so). De Natura animalium , ca. 1285, Bibliothèque Municipale de Douai, Ms. 711, f. 8r –  Source Or take the leucrota: an animal the size of a donkey but made up of (from front to back) a horse’s head, a lion’s chest and front legs, but the hind legs of a stag. Folio 15v - Leucrota. | The Aberdeen Bestiary | The University of Aberdeen   Now, you might rightfully say that these are obviously fantasy creatures. But the thing is, these animals are right in the same “bestiary” (a book about animals, like an illustrated encyclopaedia… remember those?) as animals that we definitely recognize, ...

Have a Happy Thought: Previously, I shared the amazing leaf artwork of Japanese artist Lito, who cut leaves into meticulous, beautiful scenes. Today, another leaf-based artist Susanna Bauer takes our breath away. From embroidery that turns the edges of leaves into intricate lace   To stitching parts of leaves together in mind-bending patchwork   Or using cotton thread to hollow and highlight the natural veins within a magnolia leaf You might look at your autumn pile of leaves a little bit differently this year!   Check out more of her work on her artist’s page: work — Susanna Bauer or where her work has been featured Meticulously Stitched Leaves Transform into Tender Sculptures by Susanna Bauer — Colossal Meet Susanna Bauer, the artist who crochets on fallen leaves

  Have a Happy Thought: In Aotearoa New Zealand, as in much of the southern hemisphere, now is the time of (visible) fungi: aka a forest walk right now is your best chance to see mushrooms. (other than getting out a $50 note of course) Image: the iconic blue mushroom on the back of the $50 note. Credit: RBNZ $50 banknote - Reserve Bank of New Zealand - Te Pūtea Matua Mushrooms, possibly due to their being an interesting mix of delicious and deadly, are fascinating for many people. Not least of whom: Beatrix Potter (yes, she of Peter Rabbit fame). In her spare time, she was a mycologist – studier of mushrooms and other fungi. And of course, she drew pictures. Here are just some examples of her talent. Flammulina velutipes Himeola auricula Oops! Not mushrooms, just bunnies multiplying like… mushrooms. A picture drawn by Beatrix Potter a year before her first known letter to a publisher talking about Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter. Yellow Grisette ...