Category Archives: Odds & Ends
People-Watching in the Village
Six weeks after moving to this South-Western corner of London (well, it’s practically Surrey), I still had not explored its better-heeled district: the Village. It was a warm day, so I decided to take my painful, recently acquired – and … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged humour, katherine gregor, people watching, rah, scribe doll, sloane, wimbledon, writing
12 Comments
‘An American in Paris’
It was the only time my mother actively encouraged me to skip school or, rather, ballet school, for reasons other than health. “If you want to be a dancer, you must see this film. It’s as important for your education … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged an american in paris, choreography, dance, gene kelly, george gershwin, katherine gregor, mgm, musicals, scribe doll, writing
10 Comments
Corn Chowder and Conversation
I’d asked my friend B. if he liked corn chowder. Living in one room, and sharing a kitchen, I had to think of a lunch that would fit on my small work table. “How about a bowl of steamy corn … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged conversation, friendship, katherine gregor, new home, scribe doll, writing
18 Comments
The Backstory as Defence Lawyer
In a recent post on The Red Room, Orna B. Raz makes a very interesting case for the fiction writer’s ability to rewrite true life events, giving the stories a happier outcome on paper, than they might have had in … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged backstory, extenuating circumstances, forgiveness, iago, katherine gregor, motivation, othello, scribe doll, writing
12 Comments
Just About a Teddy Bear with a Wonky Nose*
“What does he think I am? A baby?” Deep embarrassment was making me peevish. I did not want my mother, grandmother – and, especially, the guests – to think I was still a little girl who liked teddy bears. After all, … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged childhood, katherine gregor, scribe doll, teddy bear, toys, writing
8 Comments
A Room of My Own
There is a tree outside the window of my new room. An oak, with ivy wrapped around, embracing his body and lower branches. His body, yes. There is something male about this oak. A wise old man ready to share … Continue reading
Easter Break in London
Massaging warm olive oil into my hands, face and legs, then wrapping in hot wet towels. To heal cracked fingertips, smooth hardened cheekbones, and soothe sore red skin irritated by too many layers of clothing. It is the Norwich cold. … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged culture shock, katherine gregor, london, norwich, scribe doll, temple church, terence rattigan, the winslow boy
12 Comments
Time for a Change?
“Change your city, change your luck.” It is a Jewish saying, my osteopath told me. In a Russian fairy tale, the Tzar bids his sons go into an open field with their bows and arrows, and aim into the air. … Continue reading
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
Scribe Doll 