Punctuation, Pencils and a Perfect Spring Day

A Saturday well spent

It’s easy to add values with the Palomino Blackwing Pearl, which glides over paper and quickly renders this sketch of Tabby in her favorite pose - relaxed but curious.

Other people binge-watch k-dramas, Whicher, and Bridgerton. My passion? The Comma Queen chronicles.

Listening to Mary Norris talk about the Greek language on Rick Steves’ Europe, I learn about her book, Between You and Me. My local library has the audiobook. I borrow it and am instantly charmed. Here is someone who loves words, suitably punctuated ones that know their place and follow grammatical rules. She waxes lyrical about pencils, erasers and sharpeners and, most of all, she sees the artistic qualities of pencil shavings. The book is written in a style I love. You can imagine Norris’ impish smile and hear the (sometimes wry) laughter in her voice as she narrates it.

Norris reminds me of my weakness - art supply stores and stationeries. Saving pocket money to buy craft paper, pens and paint at Janata Book Store near my childhood home in Bandra. The stationery across from National College. An old haunt, Suburban Paint in Greenville SC, home of Benjamin Moore paints and art supplies. Plaza Art in Rockville MD, Jerry’s Artarama in Princeton. The joy I feel when I stumble on Hinksons, near the Spring Street Garage in Princeton.

As much as I love pencils and paper, Norris’ favorite implement, the Blackwing 602, sounds new to me. It claims, “Half the Pressure, Twice the Speed." I’m fascinated. The distinctive square ferrule is strangely familiar. I dig in my pencil stash and discover a Blackwing Pearl. And, sure enough, it makes wonderful marks on paper, living up to the hype.

Norris transports her readers to unlikely places like the Paul A. Johnson Pencil Sharpener Museum in Hocking Hills OH. The epilogue about Lu Burke, one of The New Yorker’s past copy editors, stirs up strong feelings. I’m ready to visit Southbury Public Library to make sure Burke’s legacy is used wisely.

It’s a challenge to toss out such unique art materials as pencil shavings and broken leads with their interesting shapes, textures and bursts of color.

Norris excavates and marvels at curls of pencil shavings from her pencil sharpener. This reminds me of an old stash of pencil and plastic crayon shavings, beautifully crinkled, curvaceous and colorful. I sigh as I think of all I could create with this wonderful medium. Fortunately, others are not as slack. Google pencil shaving art and you find everything from kitsch to something rather more distinctive.

Dandelions dot the grass at the entrance to Cooper Gristmill, the scene of a favorite hike.

A couple of weeks ago, Susy announces a Cooper Gristmill hike. The Black River County Park trails are lovely at any time of year. I sign up without hesitation. Last week, when we visit the Twin Lights Historical Society near Sandy Hook, she tells us she may need to cancel. Eventually, she finds subs and the hike is back on.

Early on a Saturday morning, it’s harder to drum up enthusiasm for the adventure. My bed is warm and Inviting. An hour’s drive on a Saturday morning is slightly daunting. Tabby rattles the door, whines in my ear and taps my forehead. I get out of bed, drag myself through morning chores, and pull on my hiking gear. I tell myself I should work on my perennials. Will I, though? There’s still a chill in the air. The sun shines in the window as I shake myself out of my stupor and get into the car.

Greater celandines, rue anemone, bellworts, Virginia spring beauty, Japanese barberry and NJ’s state flower, the violet, in four colors - majestic purple, brilliant white, pale lilac and yellow.

The drive to Chester is delightful as always. Avi and Jose are at the park entrance with a couple of others. I recognize Ciel from a previous event. There’s another large group of hikers. We let them get a head start. Ciel wanders to the Porta John. I reluctantly follow. To my relief, the john is actually very clean and well-stocked.

Ciel, CJ, Jen, Ed, me and Avi pose on the first bridge to document the start of another historic hike. Jose is behind the camera.

We introduce ourselves to the newcomers and set out. I’m glad to have my hiking boots. The trails are muddy in places. In others, there are drifts of dry leaves. There are gnarled tree roots and loose rocks, some mossy. We wander along the trails, stopping to take pictures, share stories, listen to soothing sounds of the river as it gushes and splashes over rocks. Few, if any, city sounds filter through.

CJ trips over a tree branch and lands in the mud. He laughs and wipes off the mud, then assiduously skirts other logs. We pass an old fireplace, perhaps the remains of an old hunting lodge. Someone jokes about grilling steaks. Another group hears us and offers to join our picnic. Everyone laughs, then the groups part ways.

As we return, a wayward tree root trips Ciel. She’s shaken, so we gather around and help her recover. Jose fishes out an ice pack. Avi hands her a bottle of water and some tissues. She thanks us for our concern.

At the end of the hike, my fitness app says five miles. Someone else reports six. Whatever! We’re tired, happy and a little peckish. Jen and Ed peel off. They have things to do. We clean off a little and walk over to The Old Mill Tavern. Avi and Jose order chili. When they dip their spoons through the melted cheddar crust, the chili looks rich and flavorful. It is loaded with beans and large chunks of pepper. My turkey burger looks pale, but tastes delicious. The lettuce is crisp, the tomato and onion slices are hearty and add just the right textures and tastes. The hand-cut steak fries are satisfyingly luxurious.

We say our goodbyes and I drive home. I’m exhausted from the early start, the hike and the meal. I lie on my bed and pull on a throw, satiated with the day’s activities. Luca and Tabby curl up at my feet.

Apple photos identifies this as a brittle bladderfern. The Picture This app agrees.