Category Archives: Odds & Ends
A Bookshop for Free Thinkers
It was advertised through Twitter as a book launch cum Charles Dickens’ birthday party, two years ago. I decided it was the only way to spend a snowy February evening. Trying to keep my balance on the icy Chelsea street, … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged baja california, bookhaus, haus publishing, katherine gregor, le balene lo sanno, pino cacucci, scribe doll, the whales know, translation, travel, whales
16 Comments
Picking Up The Pen Again
Just start. Take that first – hard – step. “I haven’t written since before Christmas,” I say to H. “If we stay at home, I’ll just keep working. I really want to write something – anything – today. Besides, we both need fresh … Continue reading
Winter and the Art of Waiting – and Trusting
One of my recurring nightmares is missing Christmas. When I am under intense stress and feel like I am losing control of my life, I start dreaming that, somehow or other, I’ve overslept, miscalculated the dates, forgot to look at … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged christmas, green man, hope, katherine gregor, merlin, scribe doll, trust, winter, writing
14 Comments
Chatting to Peter O’Toole in Kit Marlowe’s Theatre
We happened to find ourselves in the same corner of the room, looking at a print on the wall, sipping our drinks. We gave each other a polite nod. I was trying not to look too starstruck. Ordinarily, I am … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged christopher marlowe, katherine gregor, peter o'toole, rose theatre, scribe doll, theatre
16 Comments
Yes
A sea of people rushes forth as soon as the traffic lights turn green. A faceless crowd all looking down as they stride. I dodge them to avoid collision. I try in vain to catch someone – anyone’s – eye. A man’s … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged christmas, city, hope, katherine gregor, scribe doll, writing
12 Comments
Sisters
My sister and I first met nine years ago. Half-sisters, technically. Just two of the numerous offspring scattered around Europe by a father who was – it would appear – irresistible to women. V. and I studied each-other across the table … Continue reading
Poetry?
I don’t like poetry. There. I’ve said it. Go ahead and tell me that’s as bad as not liking children or animals – or art. Well, I like most children. I love animals. As for art, I like it – as … Continue reading
Saint Jude’s Storm
“Some are saying it could be the worst hurricane since 1987,” my friend said to me, yesterday, in response to my blasé attitude. That’s when I sat up and took notice. Until that point, I confess, weather warnings and news … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged 1987 storm, hurricane, katherine gregor, saint jude's storm, scribe doll
13 Comments
The Sweet Sound of Pear Wood
It had lain in its case, on top of the CDs, since I moved here last April. Occasionally, I would pick it up and blow the dust off the black cloth case, but never open it, even though I longed … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged alto recorder, brigg fair, east anglia, katherine gregor, music, scribe doll, writing
20 Comments
Lunch with the Russians
“The whole N. family is coming for an impromptu lunch at three o’clock,” says my friend L. “Why don’t you come, too?” I know N.’s family. An artistic painter father, a philosophical mathematician mother, and a polyglot, poly-talented daughter who … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged artists, friendship, hospitality, katherine gregor, russians, scribe doll
6 Comments
Scribe Doll 