Author Archives: Scribe Doll
A Few Thoughts About Lent
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
The Hour of the Book
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
Tea Ceremony
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
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged Chinese New Year, Chinese Tea Ceremony, katherine gregor, Oolong, qi gong, scribe doll
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A Shapeshifter at Play
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
New Year Resolutions?
I’ve binned my 2018 New Year’s resolutions. Unopened. They were past their use-by date. Somehow, they ended up being kicked under the bed or falling behind bookcases, where dust grows in tumbleweed form, buried under dictionaries on my desk, or … Continue reading
Needling
For some, it’s a massage or a facial. For me, it’s acupuncture. As soon as I’m overwhelmed by stress, run down or simply in need of TLC (not to mention if ever I have a health concern), I book in … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged acupuncture, complementary medicine, katherine gregor, scribe doll, world acupuncture day
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Early Autumn Wedding
“Are you having any readings?” “No.” “Have you brought some music?” “No.” “Do you have rings?” “Yes.” The elderly registrar smiles with a hint of relief. At least one traditional feature. She tells those present that photos are not permitted … Continue reading
Milan: Behind the Façade
I guess it was appropriate that my first conversation in Milan should have been about fashion. H. and I just had lunch at Stazione Centrale and were leaving the restaurant, trolley suitcases in tow, when I noticed a young woman … Continue reading
Paris to Rome by Train
“Why can’t we take the train?” “What – all the way?” H. gives me his your-quirkiness-is-turning-into-madness look. “It’s – it’s –” “The longest leg would be just twelve hours,” I filled in, smiling sweetly. “If you went to Australia, you’d have to … Continue reading
Posted in Travel
Tagged Alps, France, Italy, katherine gregor, scribe doll, Train Journey, travel
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