Roselle I'm full of admiration for the way you tackle the huge challenge you have with all that land. I feel daunted at times by the fact that I have a fraction of that - only one third of an acre, to keep on top of. Today, after a week away, I'm just very thankful I've got five days of sunshine forecast.
During the three days on Iona sandwiched between catching up with friends in Oban, I found that a dear friend of mine, Ken Steven knows you well! I had ordered your book of poetry - 'A Trick of the Light' before I went away- had it arrived before I came back, I would have known you had worked on Iona togther ...
The days on Iona will almost certainly trigger more poetry from me - it certainly prompted about seventy odd photographs. Thanks for your inspiring substack posts and I am looking forward to spending time reading your poetry too. Just now, I have to get my head round a poem I'm writing for our Beltie Poets meeting next week, plus what feels like a thousand and one other things before the Wigtown Book festival starts on 27th and the pace of life changes more than a little.
Thinking of books - I remember devouring Derek Tangye's books many years ago- he wrote about a life that I often dreamt of. Coming to the Machars peninsula in south-west Scotland in 2002, we found a corner that ticked all the boxes regarding lifestyle (with the added bonus of a Booktown!)
I will think of you when I'm tackling the garden tomorrow and sorting things in the greenhouse which seems to have acquired a few curtains of cobwebs.
I resonate with so much of this. I am determined to deal with my health, (heart) issues in holistic ways and, fingers crossed, hope it sees me through. We too are not grass cutting our field this year apart from paths to walk the dogs. With only one sheep left now from our small flock she loves to join us on these walks, in fact is happiest eating weeds in the garden when we are outside. The other day I heard a strange noise while I was in the shower and found her climbing the stairs.
You have cheered me up though and kept me sane, I’m picturing TM and you treading bed sheets in the bath, no doubt accompanied by 2 large dogs.! C xx
Lovely to picture your life briefly Chris; and I chuckled at the sheep climbing the stairs!
In the middle of the night, if I really need distracting, I read a Derek Tangye book. I wonder if you know him? The first book I was given when I was 8 or 9 was one of his; they're written for adults really but are so gentle, so vivid; and also he lived and wrote about my family's part of the far West of Cornwall, West Penwith. I can't say it's great literature but it is very warm and soothing; mostly about the animals they lived with (my current soothe is 'A Donkey in the Meadow' - he wrote masses). I mention him in case you don't know his writing. If you too struggle in the middle of the night, I recommend them as great ways to offset the disasters of our world!
PS so far TM and dogs have refused to join me treading sheets...
Yes Roselle, autumn too is my favourite season of the year. There's a certain tone, a hovering of a particular light, warm and encompassing which conjures up a sense of joy coupled up with hinting at the drawing in of days towards the hearth and home. Horse chestnuts, conkers, blackberrying and rose-hips all figure in the season's play, with rich sunsets if the weather is kind.
Julius, what a lovely and poetic comment. 'There's a certain tone, a hovering of a particular light, warm and encompassing which conjures up a sense of joy...' Yes, exactly; thank you.
And, well, yes, you are a fellow Libran I remember – I think also September, no?
Roselle I'm full of admiration for the way you tackle the huge challenge you have with all that land. I feel daunted at times by the fact that I have a fraction of that - only one third of an acre, to keep on top of. Today, after a week away, I'm just very thankful I've got five days of sunshine forecast.
During the three days on Iona sandwiched between catching up with friends in Oban, I found that a dear friend of mine, Ken Steven knows you well! I had ordered your book of poetry - 'A Trick of the Light' before I went away- had it arrived before I came back, I would have known you had worked on Iona togther ...
The days on Iona will almost certainly trigger more poetry from me - it certainly prompted about seventy odd photographs. Thanks for your inspiring substack posts and I am looking forward to spending time reading your poetry too. Just now, I have to get my head round a poem I'm writing for our Beltie Poets meeting next week, plus what feels like a thousand and one other things before the Wigtown Book festival starts on 27th and the pace of life changes more than a little.
Thinking of books - I remember devouring Derek Tangye's books many years ago- he wrote about a life that I often dreamt of. Coming to the Machars peninsula in south-west Scotland in 2002, we found a corner that ticked all the boxes regarding lifestyle (with the added bonus of a Booktown!)
I will think of you when I'm tackling the garden tomorrow and sorting things in the greenhouse which seems to have acquired a few curtains of cobwebs.
This is so moving and real -- thank you. And it was Annie Dillard :) xxx
Ah Jan thank you for both parts! - And I've been moved by much that you've written lately too. X
I resonate with so much of this. I am determined to deal with my health, (heart) issues in holistic ways and, fingers crossed, hope it sees me through. We too are not grass cutting our field this year apart from paths to walk the dogs. With only one sheep left now from our small flock she loves to join us on these walks, in fact is happiest eating weeds in the garden when we are outside. The other day I heard a strange noise while I was in the shower and found her climbing the stairs.
You have cheered me up though and kept me sane, I’m picturing TM and you treading bed sheets in the bath, no doubt accompanied by 2 large dogs.! C xx
Lovely to picture your life briefly Chris; and I chuckled at the sheep climbing the stairs!
In the middle of the night, if I really need distracting, I read a Derek Tangye book. I wonder if you know him? The first book I was given when I was 8 or 9 was one of his; they're written for adults really but are so gentle, so vivid; and also he lived and wrote about my family's part of the far West of Cornwall, West Penwith. I can't say it's great literature but it is very warm and soothing; mostly about the animals they lived with (my current soothe is 'A Donkey in the Meadow' - he wrote masses). I mention him in case you don't know his writing. If you too struggle in the middle of the night, I recommend them as great ways to offset the disasters of our world!
PS so far TM and dogs have refused to join me treading sheets...
xx
No I haven’t come across Derek Tangye, thanks for the recommendation. Soothing and animals, that sounds about right! xx
Yes Roselle, autumn too is my favourite season of the year. There's a certain tone, a hovering of a particular light, warm and encompassing which conjures up a sense of joy coupled up with hinting at the drawing in of days towards the hearth and home. Horse chestnuts, conkers, blackberrying and rose-hips all figure in the season's play, with rich sunsets if the weather is kind.
Julius, what a lovely and poetic comment. 'There's a certain tone, a hovering of a particular light, warm and encompassing which conjures up a sense of joy...' Yes, exactly; thank you.
And, well, yes, you are a fellow Libran I remember – I think also September, no?