Author Archives: Scribe Doll
Britain Sees Snow for the First Time – Again
We had some snow, a couple of weeks ago. Soft, white powder sifted out of a dark grey sky all day, without stopping. Eventually, the dusting on the ground and roofs thickened to a cloak, and muffled the city sounds. … Continue reading
The Astrolabe. Why have Sat Nav or a Smartphone?
I have a favourite artefact at the British Museum. One I never fail to go and admire, whenever I happen to be visiting this treasure trove of international archeology. It was a couple of years ago. I was lucky enough … Continue reading
Epiphany and an Old Woman Bearing Gifts*
Traditionally, it is La Befana – and not Father Christmas – who brings gifts to the children of Central Italy. It is on the morning of the Epiphany, that children would wake up to find packages under their beds. If they … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged befana, epiphany, friends, gifts, katherine gregor, scribe doll, writing
22 Comments
A Broom to Sweep Out the Old*
In Rome, at this time of year, among the blocks of torrone and wedges of panforte piled up on the market stalls, you can also buy a scacciaguai. It is a miniature broomstick. People hang it just inside their front … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged friendship, katherine gregor, new year resolutions, scribe doll
19 Comments
Short Story: ‘Christmas Eve’
Instead of the usual blog, a short story, for a change. A gift. The season demands it. I hope you enjoy it. Christmas Eve* She scratched the paint off the woodwork with her fingernails. There was a hollow, there, on … Continue reading
The Blackbird* Outside My Window
Unable to sleep, I wept into my pillow, each note of the blackbird’s song breaking my heart. A doomed blackbird, his life drained away by the exhaustion of singing all night, and by the damp and icy December temperature. That … Continue reading
Posted in Animals
Tagged blackbird, humour, katherine gregor, scribe doll, street lighting
10 Comments
In the Bleakness, a Bright Green Shoot
Seedless oranges, seedless clementines, seedless grapes. The words are displayed in large letters on the glossy supermarket shelf labels, or squares of brown cardboard on the stalls of street vendors. Seedless. As an incentive for buying. I shrink in horror … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged genetic manipulation, gm foods, hope, katherine gregor, lemon trees, life, scribe doll, seedless fruit
28 Comments
Be Yourself – At Your Peril
“Just be yourself.” How many times have you heard that? It is the advice given by friends, psychologists, life coaches and even career advisors. “Being yourself” is widely recognised as the best policy. But what if that were not always … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged be yourself, empathy, katherine gregor, musings, odd one out, scribe doll, society
18 Comments
Scribe Doll 