Author Archives: Scribe Doll

Feriae Augusti

Posted on August 16, 2019

Yesterday morning, when I opened the windows my skin suddenly felt taut.  It was like a slap. There was a a chill in the wind.  The sky was a pale, drab grey.  My heart sank.  It’s only the middle of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 12 Comments

Paris, 14 Juillet

Posted on July 16, 2019

We were in Paris this time last year.  I was enjoying the buzz and feeling shortchanged: we don’t have national holidays in England, at least none that carry any kind of historical significance.  No religious holidays except Christmas and Easter, … Continue reading →

Posted in Odds & Ends | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Reconnecting

Posted on July 7, 2019

The fountain pen feels heavy in my hand.  I haven’t written for a long time.  I mean written – not typed.  That I do every day, all day.  Click, click.  Irregular, hollow.  I tap the plastic keys, one letter at a … Continue reading →

Posted in Odds & Ends | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

A Few Thoughts About Lent

Posted on March 10, 2019

As the Dean traced the ash cross on my forehead and said, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.  Turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ” and the Cathedral choir sang Allegri’s Miserere, what … Continue reading →

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The Hour of the Book

Posted on March 3, 2019

The day is drawing in and I’m rushing to finish translating a page.  I need to look up a word and that slows me down.  I don’t like to stop mid-page but if I don’t leave now I’ll be late.  Do … Continue reading →

Posted in Odds & Ends | Tagged , , , , | 15 Comments

Tea Ceremony

Posted on February 3, 2019

A gentle hum that grows louder, then turns into a hiss that becomes a gurgle  The water is boiling, bubbling, impatient.  The teacher removes the electric kettle from its base, and pours its contents into a clear glass pitcher.  This … Continue reading →

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A Shapeshifter at Play

Posted on January 27, 2019

All the windows are locked.  Curtains closed.  Blinds pulled down all the way to the sills.  Even so, its chilly breath hisses through the tiny gaps and reaches my knees.  There is an occasional tremor in the candle flames on … Continue reading →

Posted in Odds & Ends | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments