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.
Well, that is a lovely comment! And yes, Ken is a dear friend. How funny that you know him too; and I'm very flattered that you bought my book. And I hope Iona prompted several poems for you.
Are you involved in the Wigtown festival? Guess you must be. Sounds great. And your location sounds pretty magical too. We looked, briefly, at southwest Scotland, but where we are now offers so much – though it's hard at times and in some ways (not least because of the amount we've taken on).
Thank you for engaging, Anne; and for your kind pledge, too. Good to have the contact.
Yes, i am very much involved with the Book festival. I've been a volunteer steward for 21 years now and last year was one of the local writers featured in an event held in the Open Book. This year, as well as stewarding, I'll be reading some of my poems at the Dove Tales event on 3rd October and also at the launch of the Southlight magazine on 5th. The town which normally has a population of about 1,000 will be absolutely buzzing with tens of thousands of visitors. You can read about it online.
I love living here - up on the hill on the northern edge of the town boundary overlooking fields and beyond to the Galloway hills. I could be in the middle of nowhere yet in 5 minutes walk downhill, I'm in the town. Yesterday I heard the calls of the first barnacle geese returning for the winter. That's one of my favourite sounds which I look forward to each year as they fly over the house. I wasn't quick enough to capture them on camera though.
Iona has already triggered one poem and I am so looking forward to going back there! Your book 'A Trick of the Light' is bringing backl ots of memories and also giving me an insight into parts I didn't have time to explore - but next time ....
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...
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.
Hello Anne
Well, that is a lovely comment! And yes, Ken is a dear friend. How funny that you know him too; and I'm very flattered that you bought my book. And I hope Iona prompted several poems for you.
Are you involved in the Wigtown festival? Guess you must be. Sounds great. And your location sounds pretty magical too. We looked, briefly, at southwest Scotland, but where we are now offers so much – though it's hard at times and in some ways (not least because of the amount we've taken on).
Thank you for engaging, Anne; and for your kind pledge, too. Good to have the contact.
Hello Roselle
Yes, i am very much involved with the Book festival. I've been a volunteer steward for 21 years now and last year was one of the local writers featured in an event held in the Open Book. This year, as well as stewarding, I'll be reading some of my poems at the Dove Tales event on 3rd October and also at the launch of the Southlight magazine on 5th. The town which normally has a population of about 1,000 will be absolutely buzzing with tens of thousands of visitors. You can read about it online.
I love living here - up on the hill on the northern edge of the town boundary overlooking fields and beyond to the Galloway hills. I could be in the middle of nowhere yet in 5 minutes walk downhill, I'm in the town. Yesterday I heard the calls of the first barnacle geese returning for the winter. That's one of my favourite sounds which I look forward to each year as they fly over the house. I wasn't quick enough to capture them on camera though.
Iona has already triggered one poem and I am so looking forward to going back there! Your book 'A Trick of the Light' is bringing backl ots of memories and also giving me an insight into parts I didn't have time to explore - but next time ....
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
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?