The snow’s all gone now. Four tiny degrees (the buttoning of a meteorological cardigan) and we’re back to watery grey and green, plough lines and mud. It’s making me think about all the small things and their big consequences. You know – the lines that create a novel, the chocolates resisted and the pennies not […]
A year without signposts
In this year of strange, one of the most strange things has been the lack of ceremony. Normally we’re cartwheeled from New Year to Christmas via back to schools, end of terms, birthdays, annual thises and celebratory thats plus a host of other unavoidable calendar signposts. Without proper Halloween or the planning, packing, sunburn peeling […]
Things I learned today – crispy veg and feminist icons
Another instructive day… I learned that the Aga doesn’t let out the smell. So last night’s roasted veggies (I’ll just give them a few more minutes) were somewhat overdone by breakfast time. Speaking of Agas, have you seen the new version of All Creatures Great and Small? Boy Three and I have been enjoying […]
Things I learned today – Birthdays, basics and bosoms
Covid, house moves, sons hitting landmark birthdays, the loss of my Booths card… times that are unforgettable to the point of interesting. 2020. There have been surprises at every level, not least my own capacity to be jolted off the tedious tramlines of middle age. And with change, as someone wise may have commented, there […]
When is a cow not a vegetarian?
When it’s eating its own afterbirth. Apparently they do this to protect the new-born from predators long enough for it to get on its own four wobbly feet. Clever nature. A summer evening walk with a lovely friend was rendered unforgettable by the sight of a new-born calf and its mother. We stood fascinated while […]