by wendymalpass | Jul 1, 2026 | Uncategorized
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 –...
by wendymalpass | Jul 1, 2026 | Uncategorized
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...
by wendymalpass | Feb 14, 2023 | Uncategorized
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”...
by wendymalpass | Jan 7, 2022 | Uncategorized
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...
by wendymalpass | Jan 7, 2022 | Uncategorized
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...
by wendymalpass | Jan 7, 2022 | Uncategorized
Sid the Cat Est ce qu’il est un joli chat? This is Sid, known in our house as the cat who can do no wrong. He regularly upends the milk carton to drink the spillage, wrecked an expensive sofa with his scratching, and broke oh so many precious things in his...
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