Bliss...LJ Idol, Topic Three

[peta_andersen]

LJ idol
Week Three
Topic Three: A Moment of Bliss

Even across the room, I see them, vultures circling a carcass. First,  coke-bottle glasses lady, her wrinkled hands shoving books into a box, her tiny raisin eyes glaring at the crowd. Then the tall, grey-bearded man, his fingers running over spines, catching at the thickest, pulling a chosen few into

Comments

[lizjonesbooks]

I totally hear you-- and since you chose such a good word, I will add that flux itself sometimes refers to the chemical(usually borax) that is applied to two pieces of hot metal during forge welding. It causes the metal on both sides to flow together and make a firm connection. The metal has to be free of all rust and debris(not easy, when you're working in a pile of glowing coals) But the product of multiple good welds can be both useful and beautiful-- for instance, check out this Damascus steel. Here's a link to the article where he talks about the process of forging it.

[lizjonesbooks]

Oh, and. It's not nearly so uncommon as the author seems to think-- I know five guys in my tiny neck-of-nowhere who make beautiful Damascus. But it's really, really hard to do well. It's the rocket science PhD of blacksmithing.

[peta_andersen]

I've seen Damascus steel, and some of process on a wonderful documentary series called "What the Ancients Knew", but I definitely didn't know about the smithing meaning of "flux". Thank you for including it!

I have to admit--I opened the dictionary randomly, then spent half an hour poring over it just because. It's a lovely set.

[lizjonesbooks]

I know what you mean-- so many stories implied in those words...

[peta_andersen]

Your icon is so cute!

[lizjonesbooks]

Thanks!
:D