Spine

Vertebrae K Howell 2013 Acrylic on Paper (smallish)

Being fortunate enough to have access to moorland with ancient roads is something I'm Very Happy About. When traveling along these old ways, it does feel as though you are treading the spine of the land itself.

I've been quite obsessed with spines lately - even the word, and the fact that it refers to the physical skeletal structure that keeps us upright, the concept of strength of character and resolve and also defensive mechanisms. Something prickly to put predators off. All fascinating.

Of course, there's also the fact that a book has a spine. And the spine holds the absolute essentials of what the book contains. I love that. Maybe that's why I can't bring myself embrace e-books. They have no spine! They cannot be trusted.

This tune may change when I run out of shelves...