To See the Ivy

‘Oh, Charles, what a lot you have to learn! There’s a beautiful arch there and more different kinds of ivy than I knew existed. I don’t know where I should be without the Botanical Gardens.’ I realised that I had not visited the Dundee Botanical Garden yet this summer and my brain was a jumble…

Tell It To the Bees

I looked up the other day: the air was full of bees! I tried to see where they were coming from but found instead where they were going to: this bush on the other side of the fence. It was absolutely astounding to see. I kept my distance but I couldn’t stop staring. All the…

It’s a Bear

In the midst of a delightful discussion about Midsommar on pal Carol’s FB wall, a few memories have bubbled up. One of them is the gas station we always stopped at on the drive up to our cabin in Kaleva. It was a long drive and we knew every turn of it. I always knew my…

Don’t Turn Your Back on a Chicken

Okay, so I was going in to feed and water the chickens this morning. I’d actually poured out all the water and set the watering can down on the threshold to the barn while I checked for eggs. I’m always afraid I’ll break the eggs, so I thought I’d set the one egg I found…

Why I Didn’t Love Skyfall

[N.B. This isn’t really a review so much as an analysis, so it’s chock full of spoilage. If you haven’t seen the film yet, you may want to wait to read this. Or not! But just so you know what you’re in for –] This is not timely: as much as I love Daniel Craig…

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.

Dundee Law

It’s not legal 😉 but the plug of a volcano which provides a wonderful landmark from which to enjoy the city. Settling in and having fun: saw the Cundeez on Friday night! Lots of writing to do, too: the days are just packed. See more pictures here.