Colors of the World

Who doesn't love color?  And me, I love to find books on color--since I'm a natural dyer, I always like to know the history of certain colors.  Just recently, this book "Secret Live of Colors" came on the market.  I ignored it for the longest time--why read another book on color?  Could it have anything else to know about color?  Finally, I succumbed and purchased the book.

This book is a different approach to how color is viewed in the world.  So, it does belong in my library along with my favorite books.

Oooh, this book is absolutely lovely!  filled with Blue from beginning to end!

Blue that is derived from indigo!  What mysterious dye gave

us such lovely shades of blue--Indigo!

Blue!! “Trustworthy, peacefulness, logic, calm,

Sensitive, patient” 

"What is Blue?

Blue is the color of the sky, without a cloud, cool, distant, beautiful and proud

Blue is the quiet sea and the eyes of some people

And many agree as they grow older and older

Blue is the scarf spring wears on her shoulder

blue is twilight, shadows on the snow

Blue is feeling way down low

Blue is a heron, a sapphire ring, 

you can smell blue in many a thing:  Gentian and Larkspur, forget-me-nots, too

And if you listen, you can hear blue in wind over water

and wherever flax blooms

and when evening steps into lonely rooms.

Cold is blue:  flame shot from a welding torch is too.

Hot, wild, screaming, blistering Blue and on winter mornings, the dawns are blue"

Mary O'Neill--Hailstones and Halibut Bones

Here is the history of Cochineal--a red color you can achieve from a tiny little insect, that

thrives on cactus.  How is that possible?  All things in nature are possible--this is a fascinating

journal into the life of that little bug that colored the world and made RED like nothing the world had ever seen!

Red is Strong, ambitious,outgoing, color of heightened emotion, power; invigorating, intimidating and it's never boring!

What is Red?  red is a sunset, blazy and bright.  Red is feeling brave with all your might.

Red is a sunburn, spot on your nose; sometimes red is a red, red rose.

Red squiggles out when you cut your hand.  Red is a brick and a rubber band.

Red is hotness you get inside when you're embarrassed and want to hide.

Fire-cracker, fire-engine, fire-flicker red-------

and when you're angry Red runs though your head.

Red is an Indian, a Valentine heart; the trimming on a circut cart,

red is a lipstick, red is a shout, red is a signal that says: "watch out!"

Red is a great big rubber ball.  

Red is the giant-est Color of all; Red is a show off no doubt about it-----

But can you imagine living without it?

Mary O'Neill Hailstones and Halibut Bones

I love color! I can't imagine not seeing color-- my husband is color blind-- he can't distinguish between brown and green. 

What does colorblindness mean?