Category Archives: Uncategorized
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
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
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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
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12 Comments
Unapologetic Anthropomorphism
Scribe Doll
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged animals, humour, katherine gregor, photography, scribe doll
8 Comments
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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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
Last Night of the Proms
I caught the end of the Last Night of the Proms on television last night. The Royal Albert Hall was once again filled with people, many wearing blue berets with yellow European Union stars, but most waving small Union Jacks … Continue reading
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Tagged katherine gregor, Last night of the proms, scribe doll, writing
9 Comments
The High-Brow Author and the Best-Selling Writer*
I head straight for the bar as soon as we come in. “Buona sera,” I say to the barman: hair slicked back, not one crease in his black cotton shirt. I tell him I very much hope he’ll be able … Continue reading
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6 Comments
A Book Review by me for the European Literature Network: Teffi, ‘Other Worlds’
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2 Comments
Learning about Mink
There was a black-and-white photograph of Anna Sergeyevna* in Spanish dress, standing on one of the many cluttered, dusty surfaces in her Cimiez flat. It stood out amid numerous pictures of family members scattered around the world and assorted knick-knacks … Continue reading
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Scribe Doll 