In our first foray further than Edinburgh since lockdown, we have ventured north to the cottage. DJ Lachlan got the front seat for the drive up so he could manage the sounds. I was consigned to the back with Lyra and a blankie as dog car sick monitor. It was a slow trip north, lotsContinue reading “Four go to Glenelg”
Author Archives: karenifountain
It’s not the pram in the hall
That gets in the way of women novelists and artists – it’s the bloody ironing. There is satisfaction in raising a child – on the whole I rather like mine. Admittedly there have been moments when I could cheerfully have sought out the returns label, but those were fleeting (and the logistics in any caseContinue reading “It’s not the pram in the hall”
Mists and mellow fruitfulness
The seasonal cart is over the top of the hill and starting to pick up speed in its roll down to autumn. We have had a few misty mornings and evenings of late. Not cold at all, but the air very fresh and moist. The scent of the wild camomile on the air has contributedContinue reading “Mists and mellow fruitfulness”
The mysterious case of Kathy Kirby
I was distinctly out of sorts and grumpy yesterday morning. A heady combination of insomnia aftermath and a rather ill considered weeding comment from Keith. However, I put the ire to good use and vigorously dug out a corner of the gravel garden where mares tail had woven its way in amongst an elderly stoechasContinue reading “The mysterious case of Kathy Kirby”
Tolkein weather
In recent days we have had torrential rains, blistering sun, hobbits, amphibians identifying as birds, volcanoes and insect plagues. Increasingly it feels like we are on the ring quest with Bilbo and the boys. If I see five orcs and a dwarf coming over the hill I shall give them all a cheery wave andContinue reading “Tolkein weather”
Who is the fluffiest of them all?
The boys are off for long awaited haircuts today so Lyra and I have the afternoon to ourselves. It has been hot and sultry all day. Yesterday’s rain has not dried up, leaving puddles in the tractor tracks to be jumped, and there is a gently steaming feeling in the air. We skirt the smallContinue reading “Who is the fluffiest of them all?”
But does it spark joy???
Anyone who has witnessed our kitchen table and the “hoardery” in my garret will comprehend that the Marie Kondo method is not generally applied at Ruthven. However, in a few places breaking point has been reached and the cry has rung out “something must be done!” Unusually for us, something has….. Keith has done sterlingContinue reading “But does it spark joy???”
Harvest music
Lachlan and Keith volunteered to reassemble the Plough marquee yesterday in anticipation of reopening (hopefully before too long as we have missed it sorely). I was deemed surplus to requirements and had settled down to a snack with a view to some weeding after when the call came through to “take Lyra for a walkContinue reading “Harvest music”
Whirlwind tour
It’s been a while since the last garden round up so here we go…. Late July can be a bit of a gappy time in our garden. The roses are just starting to flag, and the late summer spectaculars are yet to really get into full swing, though the big double hemerocallis have started toContinue reading “Whirlwind tour”
Pick of the crop
Harvest time is in full swing on the Ruthven homestead. We have moved on from Lavender to soft fruit. The strawberries were lovely but we (and Squirrel Nutkin) simply scoffed them all. Our gooseberries were somewhat underwhelming – only enough for 6 fools (I shan’t name them – it would be unkind). Luckily, Anne nextContinue reading “Pick of the crop”