On belonging to the living world

On belonging to the living world

On belonging to the living world I am standing at the kitchen window looking out into the garden.   A red admiral is opening and closing its wings on the head of a thistle. Two jackdaws are arguing on the roof overhead. A pigeon is doing what pigeons do –...
On grief, and the life we almost miss

On grief, and the life we almost miss

On grief, and the life we almost miss The horse chestnut at the edge of the lane is shedding its conkers early. I photographed them the other morning – small, unripe, jettisoned by a tree under stress from the heat – and felt the familiar tightening in my...
Dan

Dan

The first drag tasted like ashes, but Dan held on to his cigarette nevertheless. He leant against the wall next to M&S, feeling the heat in the bricks.  He should probably call her. Send a message or a text. But what could he possibly say? “Good luck”...
Pants

Pants

Pants Applying the Seat of the Pants I have a novel to write (several actually but let’s not go into that). I have once again signed up to NanoWrimo and am determined to see it through this time. I have done my advance planning, thought about the plot, have a...
Hens

Hens

Hens Three French Hens Gertie, Ida and Flo arrived about a month ago, dragged from a pen of 50 hens, randomly selected from 900 intensively reared birds now surplus to commercial requirements. Contemplating the destiny of the other 897 breaks my heart. For I have...