Something Always Moves

or the Rat and the Basil

I know, I know. This was supposed to be an art newsletter. But then again, I think I probably never promised that. As far as I can remember, I opened my very first newsletter with something along the lines of: I want to build a community here. A community away from social media platforms and (introverts unite!) from RL.

Starting this thing with half an apology/explanation for what is coming. Because, guess what!? I was planning on adding an update on my basil journey to my next letter. I also planned on telling you — and adding a picture — about how the rest of my Chinese cabbage, after I ate almost everything of it, got so motivated in my fridge that it started growing back. And of course, I felt impressed by this will to live and put it into a flower pot, where it started to blossom. I thought it might enjoy living outside way more and put it into the garden.

The cabbage is blossoming in hope for a new life

What a life for a little Chinese cabbage, right?

I didn’t think these topics — basil and cabbage — were important enough for their own newsletter. Until yesterday.

Because when I came back out to the garden, where the cabbage had been released into the wild, there was only a big hole. No cabbage. Just absence. And soil.

If you’ve read my previous letters and blog posts, you might suspect something. I did too. So once again, I put out the wildlife camera.

And look — you can see two things:

First: The basil is still fine!!! Several pots already, growing beautifully. But for how long… because

Second: My rat friend came back. The one I wrote about. The one who’s clearly a fan of fresh greens. It ate the cabbage. It’s now after the basil.

Third: Why are rats so cute?

Now what does this mean? The cabbage doesn’t need a name anymore. Does the basil? Now that its life is under threat? Or is the rat the only one deserving of a name?

I named one of my trees in the garden. I won’t tell you what it is. But if the world depended on you knowing it — like in The NeverEnding Story — you could just make one up. And send it to me. Or maybe we’re looking for a name for the rat instead? Who’s more destined to save the world? A rat, or a tree?

Anyway — this picture of the rat sneaking around my basil was the main reason I was so excited to send this letter today.

I’m not sure if I should add anything else. Is this allowed to stand on its own?

Maybe this is the point where some of you will stop opening my emails. I’ve seen the open rate drop. Who’s not reading anymore? I demand a name. And a reason.

To the rest; Thank you for still opening these. It means more than you think.

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And if you'd like to buy me a snack — so I don't have to live off cabbage, basil, and rats — you can do that HERE. I actually run on things like cacao and red wine.