it is about the power of art, partly because of the art pieces she discusses could show up at BRC--I'm thinking especially of the mirror garden and the shoes--not that BRC has such a staircase

It's funny you should mention this book Blue Bird Poof.The book was inspired by work at a SF science and art museum that's now been around about thirty two years. Two of the artist's, who used to work there, that inspired Pat's imagination- in part at least- (her imagination is really her own after all) are local artists. One is Ned Kahn and the other (actually no longer local-I think he's in Germany these days- and orginally from LA) Chico MacMurtrie.

I think she will be pleased when she finds out her book was referencedafter he wrote the Organum......

Here are a just few:
1. History of heavenly bodies; or astronomical history.

2. History of the configuration of the parts of it towards the Earth, and also its parts; or cosmographical history

3. History of comets

4.History of fiery meteors

5.History of lightnings,thunderbolts, thunders and coruscations.

8. History of rainbows

9.history of blue skies, of twilight. of mock suns, of mock moons, of haloes, of the various colors of the sun and moon; and of every variety of aspect of the heavenly bodies caused by the medium.

22.History of flame and burning hot things

46. History of excretions; spittle, urine, sweat, stools, hair of the head,bodily hair, whitlows, nails and the like.

64. History of drugs

76. History of pleasure and pain in general.

124.History of conjurers and circulators.

127 Miscellanious history of various machines, and