Author Archives: Scribe Doll
The Polish Woman on the Bus
The emotional memory of that day is much stronger than the memory of the event’s details. It was 1981 and I was coming home from school on the bus. I was sixteen. Without a word, she presented a card … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged Eastern bloc, katherine gregor, Poland, Russian language, scribe doll, writing
8 Comments
The First Day of Spring?
Last Sunday morning, 20th March, radio presenters were cheerfully announcing the first day of spring. “It’s not the first day of spring – it’s the vernal equinox!” I grumbled once again. I do that: talk back at radio presenters, cheer … Continue reading
Just a Five-Pound Teapot
I bought the teapot in Boots. White with blue and yellow flowers. Back when there was a Boots in Sidney Street. When they still sold a few household goods and stationery. I paid about five pounds for it. I … Continue reading
New Year’s Eve
A tower of books is rising in the corridor, taller, wonkier by the minute, until it comes tumbling down. I scoop the books into several plastic bags. They’re going to Oxfam. Books I no longer like. Books I don’t care … Continue reading
Yuletide
There are things you can’t tell other people – or only just a few people, perhaps: that you love the time of year when nights are long. That you long for the moment, at around four o’clock, when you watch the … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends, Uncategorized
Tagged christmas, katherine gregor, scribe doll, Winter solstice, yuletide
2 Comments
Finishing a Translation
There… and – send. I hold my breath until I hear the the notification that the e-mail has been sent. It sounds like a plane taking off. I feel like jumping around the room, laughing, singing. Where did I put … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
12 Comments
Unapologetic Anthropomorphism
Scribe Doll
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged animals, humour, katherine gregor, photography, scribe doll
8 Comments
Why I Find Emojis Sinister
“You just take it too seriously,” F. has told me over the thirty-five years we’ve been friends. Over the decades, the it has referred to various situations I’ve felt strongly about. From having to deal with unnecessary and time-consuming bureaucracy … Continue reading
Hallowe’en with an Apostrophe and an Extra Hour
I choose to spell Hallowe’en the old way, with an apostrophe that reminds me that there’s more to it than trick or treating and dressing up as ghouls. All Hallows’ Eve is one of my favourite holidays and it’s … Continue reading
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4 Comments
A Necklace of Words
1. Sfumatura (Italian): a shade, a nuance, but I love the sound of the word fumo (smoke) that forms it. A graduation in colour that’s as subtle as smoke; its very sound evokes a swirl of gossamer. Close your eyes … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends, Uncategorized
Tagged katherine gregor, languages, scribe doll, words
15 Comments
Scribe Doll 