The temperature is dropping to 0°C at night Lying in bed, trying to sleep I hear that stairs creekAs it shrinks and pulls tight For a moment I wonder If someone is creeping Up the stairs. In the early morning light I see a dusting of frostLeaves looking sugar coated and crispy. Today is sunny, … Continue reading A Sensory Glimpse
Scotland
What Happened in September?
My September wasn't particularly interesting apart from an enjoyable couple of days when my brother-in-law and his partner visited. So I decided to discuss the shifting of light which I have observed and considered over the last month. I have been living in Scotland since October 2022: four years this month and in this last … Continue reading What Happened in September?
Dear Mr D. Washer Mc Hine
Dear Mr D. Washer Mc HineMy dear old manI will miss you dearly.You were such a support To me in the last four yearsWhen we didn’t know muchAbout anything hereIn Scotland.Although you were shortAnd small, Most peopleThought you should haveBeen biggerYou were there for meDay in and day out.Even in the middle of the nightI … Continue reading Dear Mr D. Washer Mc Hine
Nocturnal Encounter
30 past twelve Thirty past twelve In the dead of night listening: I hear nature...Open my window wide...Lean out... River rippling Ripple-ripple, High pitched Toot toot. And again Toot toot Ripple-ripple Rippling river;Echoing toot toots. I gaze out into Darkness: Inky sky and A couple of diamonds. Black velvet hills Meet the valley Where the … Continue reading Nocturnal Encounter
Morning Air
Morning AirSounds rapping At my waking Rains came last night I open the window wideCool air rushes inDistant sheep bleating Four-by-four revving Farmer herding cows Doves cooBaby birds chirp For breakfast Dogs barkIn the park Owners muffledConversationsSwirl upward Adult birdsDive and swoop Beaks and bellies Will be filled soonTime for me To start my day … Continue reading Morning Air
Short July Update
It feels a bit like July went by in a blur while I lived in the present moment. July went byIn a blur. Heat waveStonehaven Folk Festival Pet sitting Heat waveCat sitting Community group activity Art and historical research I have had A satisfying Abundant Month As the Stonehaven folk festival still lingered on our … Continue reading Short July Update
Stonehaven Folk Festival
Weekend at Stonehaven Last weekend we went to a folk festival in Stonehaven. It is situated in the North East of Scotland just south of Aberdeen overlooking the North Sea. Getting away from home and work was a treat; having time to unwind and relax. We had arranged to meet some friends there who were … Continue reading Stonehaven Folk Festival
Sunday’s Confessions from a Compost Heap
Reflections of composting in the garden and in the heart I am sitting here near the compost heap this morning in order to get in touch with the topic. My confession is this: The compost was the first thing I worked on when I moved into my new home. I discovered that I don’t even … Continue reading Sunday’s Confessions from a Compost Heap
Sunday’s Confessions of the Homely Kind.
I must confess I have never eaten broad beans (also known as fava beans) before today. I knew very little about broad beans even when I started taking vegetable gardening more seriously here in Scotland. I'm a serious amateur vegetable grower and I still have a long way to go as I am starting from … Continue reading Sunday’s Confessions of the Homely Kind.
My June News
We had a busy month completing our guest room and spending time with family; and believe it or not it was my art that kept me sane. Guest Room Completed Completing the guest room was quite a marathon: it took us from the end of April, laying the foundations, to the 21st of June when … Continue reading My June News
