We’re living in the house, or as Bertie calls it these days, ‘Barton Cottage’ — heh! Well, we’re no Elinor and Marianne, but it is apropos I suppose as we pass the 200th anniversary of the release of Jane Austen’s most famous book. Our place does not actually have ‘dark, narrow stairs, a poky hall…
Category: family
From Alba to Albany
By the time this posts, I should be on my way via planes, trains and automobiles (not to mention the bus to the airport in Edinburgh). It’s hard to believe my fantastic year has drawn to a close. Needless to say, I have no wish to leave Scotland and already have my ticket back. My…
Re-Imagining the Olympics
The 2012 Olympics are over. If you weren’t in the UK you might not have been aware of just how transformative these two weeks were. That I’m even talking about it is evidence enough. Like many of my geek and writer friends I’ve often found myself in the position of fighting against the popular attention…
History Witch: Anglo-Saxon Death
I think the impulse that defines an academic nature is that one responds to difficult moments by turning to the past to see how others have coped with similar times. So still reeling from unexpected grief, I turn to history as I contemplate the ways we deal with the inevitability of parting from those we…
Valley Gardens, Harrogate
My thoughts go out to Steve and Mary Browne, and all who love them both. How hard to go on alone, my sister, though I know that those in our hearts can never leave us altogether. I wish I were closer by.
Know-vember: Bertie
It’s the man who needs no introduction, but did insist on his own special font. Here is he at Eton; nothing but the best for Bertie. 1. What’s the first thing you do upon waking in the morning? say oy 2. What’s a song you might be persuaded to dance to? Anything by the sensational…
Know-vember: Mark Walker
In the States, today is Thanksgiving day; depending on who you ask it’s either a day to commemorate when the Pilgrims survived the vagaries of New England despite their ignorance and arrogance with considerable help from some of the indigenous folks (who would come to regret that kindness), or it’s a day to stuff yourself…
Know-vember: Susan
Susan is the third of the Three Mothers with me and Mildred, Mater Suspiriorum. My cat Colette is buried in the backyard of her old house: that’s the kind of friends we are. Small critters of all kinds know to trust her. Her home, consequently, is ruled by cats. Her home is an oasis for…
Know-vember: Miss Wendy
You knew she would be here: the Patsy to my Edina, she of the big hair, former Elf-Queen (and survivor of many a medieval play), southern gal supreme, Mechademia Submissions editor, connoisseur of Jack Daniels and hostess of the Rosh Hashanah Ragin’ Kegger and Toga Parties — Miss Wendy! I am so happy to know…
Publications: Blink Ink & Scribing Ibis
Here’s the lovely package you get when you order the Noir issue of Blink|Ink. And you will order it, won’t you? It’s got a lovely story by me and gruesomely hilarious one by Mr B (Paul Brazill) and loads of great photography as well as some terrific stories told in a flash — and for…