It's spring alright. How do I know? I'm digging through cabinets and drawers. Thirty years of detritus and all sorts of things. Rubber bands, receipts and files from too long ago have filtered down to the bottom of cubbies and piles of paper are being purged. As I dig I wonder, why did I save these old rubber bands, clips, ink pens that no longer work and stacks of papers?
To tell the truth, I am somewhat of a magpie by nature, but much of this is ridiculous. Saving things on the chance that they might be needed someday only adds to clutter.
Like a slip of paper I have saved for years. It has Phi 1.618 written on it. Below is the sign for Phi.
Phi, pronounced like fly, was discovered by Fibonacci and is the solution to a quadratic equation (math was my worst subject in school so I know I didn't save this for the math). Phi is also known as the Divine Proportion, The Golden Mean, or the Divine Ratio. So, how does it effect us? Well, Phi is the proportions of the human body as well as animals, plants, DNA, the solar system, art and architecture, music and even theology. Phi unwinds the chambers of a nautilus and the spiral of a galaxy, arranges seeds in the head of a sunflower. So how does Phi 'figure' into my spring cleaning? Well, I guess it seemed interesting at the time, but out it goes.
UPDATE ~ I found another slip of paper from a magazine article which is why I copied Phi down in the first place. Susan Dell (yes, that Dell) started a clothing company in the 1990's (that's how long I have held on to these scraps of paper) and she named it Phi, after the divine proportion. So, nothing profound or life changing. Just a bit of minutia that interested me at the time. Finally throwing them out. But, oh no. Wait, here is a third scrap. I must have really been impressed. Seems that Phi is the principle on what Leonardo da Vinci based his illustration of The Vitruvian Man. I could go on but I think I've probably lost most of you by now. So, nuff said about Phi, but isn't it beautiful ~ like spring?
13 comments:
Must you? There may be a great and wonderful secret of the ages right there on that paper---a formula, a key, a combination to a vault, a vast spread-over-the-wall equation for circling the Universe. There are SURELY more worthy things, more take-up-space things that might be tossed without a care---but a slip of paper?
I know I'D like to toss each and every scrap, wad, piece, slip, page, fold, ticket, coupon, card, envelope and brochure in the house.
says rachel, who, though not a math person AT ALL, can still quote Avogadro's number.
I have a rule for when I am cleaning out scraps of paper. I put them all in a box and wait a bit before I get rid of them, just in case I suddenly remember that the information on them is crucial. Nice to have the Internet to look up some of those Mathematical Constant when you need them. Like exactly when to eat your Pie on Pi day, March 14th, next Friday (3/14), which is 1:59pm. (3.14159)
Hello, donna baker.
Expression of great moment.
Fascinating photographing.
Have a good day. From Japan, ruma ❀
Hello Donna! I love how your know spring is here: CLEANING! I think I'll join you in that one since we have TONS of snow yet to melt, and any sign of flowers won't come until MAY! But let's get started on those drawers!
YES! Thank you for coming by today and the magazine IS IN PRINT as well as digital. I am thrilled since I've always wanted to be in print. Many thanks! Anita
Je découvre ton blog sur celui de 'la table de Nana' et la photo en entête est superbe j'adore! je reviendrai te voir souvent j'espère !
Bonne semaine à toi! Cath.
Math never added up for me ;)
Although your Phi though processing was indeed quite interesting !
This is fascinating Donna. I never knew the relationship between the Golden Mean and Phi. Such wonderful food for thought - thank you for sharing this.
Gracious Donna - I always have so much fun when I come to visit you. I learned so much about Phi from this post and math was never my favorite subject either. Been doing the same as you going through drawers, closets and cubby holes wondering why in the world I saved this or that. Thanks for making me not feel alone! Have a great day.
You made me smile.. my husnband is an engineer..I'm noyt.. he loses me when he starts talking like an engineer:)
You didn't lose me..I was totally impressed with your wording!
I loved Math but when it became Calculus and Physics and Statistics.. all of a sudden I switched my direction in college.
Both my husband and I keep way too many everythings.
Way too many.
But you can bet the monet I threw away my gogo boots I wanted them back..
Or all those greeting cards saved for 40 yrs that I tossed 2 yrs ago:(
OK, I was cracking up because I am a saver of … anything on paper. Stacks of stuff I may or may not need or that I found important or interesting … but there is so much of it, it would be hard to find. I just shredded 3 enormous garbage bags full of old tax stuff, receipts, and work stubs … let a cabinet go yesterday, as well. That is forcing me to get rid of more stuff!
Happy Spring!!!
Fascinating to learn this. Thank you! I am also a saver and periodically go through all my papers to edit. This always feels so good, such a liberating feeling. Happy spring!
Hello, donna baker.
Good feeling works.
Thank you for your support all the time.
Greeting
From Japan, ruma ❃
Happy Spring - I've come over from Janelle, so good to meet you. I too must start throwing things away.
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