When Keith and I had the giftware factory I loved painting the gold onto the bamboo and maple leaves. I don't remember the formula but we used a bronze dust mixed in paint thinner or something. I'm sure I was getting high on the fumes, and in hindsight that and all the other fumes in the place were probably responsible for my being so sick back then. (To this day I can't be around hydrocarbons without feeling sick. Like nail polish remover, bug sprays, even forest fires. We lived downwind of a fire above Sierra Madre one year and had to leave for a week.) My mother's cousin didn't fare too well in later life, which is why we took over running the business, and I think his years in that toxic environment contributed to his early death. Hearing about how to mix the gold ink for calligraphy reminded me of our beautiful 'gilded' leaves. And all the art supply terms I used to hear my folks talking about. Never did any of that, and I admire people greatly for being able to. If it doesn't come from a mix I just about can't handle cooking any more, so the idea of having to make a fresh batch of gold ink seems like real dedication. I know it's just part of the pleasure of it.