“Mother” Ishbel declares in ringing tones as I wait for the coffee to brew whilst observing the progress of the bird table war (Dunnocks now edging out the House Sparrows, Robin giving it the full Captain Mainwaring and the blue tit sneaks in under the radar and just does its own thing) “What are weContinue reading “Scheduled spontaneous fun”
Category Archives: Highland cows
The other way round
It is curious how the smallest change can unsettle you and shift your perception. A few days ago `Lyra and I set off for a walk along the riverside in the teeth of a howling hoolie. It’s a fairly exposed route most of the way and invariably we go around again the wind, meeting allContinue reading “The other way round”
Doomscrolling
It’s hard not to at the moment. Obsessively monitoring news from Ukraine isn’t going to help anyone, but nonetheless I find myself scanning the updates morning and evening and at odd times in between. I sat half undressed on the edge of the bath yesterday evening for a full ten minutes watching an interview withContinue reading “Doomscrolling”
A miscellany
Keith and I have climbed unsteadily back on the wagon following a dangerously prolonged period of daily celebrations what with Mum, `Ishbel and Lachlan all being in residence (in various combinations), Barry coming to decorate the spare room and, to top it all, Alison along the road having a significant birthday. “There is no moreContinue reading “A miscellany”
Leaning in for take off
The wild west wind is now our regular companion. In the garden, every day brings a new lawnful of detritus. The poor shredder has had an attack of the vapours and gone to convalesce at the repair shop. Hopefully it will recover as I still have a lot of mulching to do. In the meantimeContinue reading “Leaning in for take off”
Dry in parts
We are now about half way through “Dry January” (having started a bit late we really should run into February) and things are going swimmingly. We have had but two lapses (though in both cases I decided I’d rather be hung for a sheep as a lamb). A third is scheduled for tomorrow and IContinue reading “Dry in parts”
New Year Plots and Plans
In their ones and twos the family reassembled, and the guests arrived, for the Hogmanay Festivities and the quietude of “Twixtmas” was over. Keith had charge of the catering arrangements so my limited contribution was a trio of game pies. On possibly the rainiest day before the new year Lyra declined all walking entreaties andContinue reading “New Year Plots and Plans”
Bewitching ‘Twixting
The last two days have been all go. After breakfast and stockings on Christmas morning we had a slightly hair-raising drive to Gala to see Dad and deliver his presents (Lachlan drove, taking all the bends with a racing line, because I was deemed too slow. Ishbel admirably kept her breakfast down, but only just).Continue reading “Bewitching ‘Twixting”
Flickering
After six days without power the lights went on last night. Then off. Then on again, but waveringly. We now have selective light, in some rooms, with a tendency to flicker if anyone else on the row decides they too want illumination. As a result the candles are still much in evidence and Christmas knittingContinue reading “Flickering”
Seeing the wood and the Trees
I have been out of sorts recently. A sinus infection has gripped me by the temples and, yet again, blown my eardrum. Nothing terribly painful, but hard to sleep and low level headaches and a general, weary ‘not rightness’. So in Pollyanna style I shall write not of my angry bear reaction to all domesticContinue reading “Seeing the wood and the Trees”