ideas

'The idea hovered and shimmered delicately, like a soap bubble, and she dared not even look at it directly in case it burst. But she was familiar with the way of ideas, and she let it shimmer, looking away, thinking about something else.'
Northern Lights, Philip Pullman

P.S. In other news, we have chickens!   Welcome to Cinderella, Fancy Nancy, Mrs Feather and Licorice; friendly, clucky little creatures that they are...