Occasionally, I see angry, defiant, prickly attitudes masquerading as a form of feminism; rebelliousness without much consideration, that might just be an excuse for: ‘every man and woman for his or her self’. The feminism of, ‘Why should I make you a cup of tea, you, you…. man! Make it yourself.’ Somewhere within it, there is righteous … Continue reading Still A Woman
Ireland has three patron saints: Patrick, Columcille, and one woman, Brigid. Today, February 1st, is Brigid’s feast day and it also traditionally marks (in Ireland at any rate) the first day of spring. There are many legends surrounding Brigid: she had a reputation as an expert dairywoman and brewer, with the enviable reputation of being … Continue reading Saint Brigid
‘Faint heart never won fair lady.’ Remember the old-fashioned saying? Literally or figuratively, it expounds that timidity will prevent you from achieving your objective, be it throwing yourself with gusto at a job interview or with similar gusto at the man or lady of your dreams. It goes hand in hand with its twin saying, … Continue reading Searchlights
My hair is too long. It’s ridiculous. I can nearly sit on it. It hasn’t been near a pair of scissors in ten months and it needs to be chopped. Nothing dramatic, but I want to be able to look at the floor and see plenty of it down there - two inch lengths. A. … Continue reading Cut!
Today is the twelfth day of Christmas, the end of the season, the Epiphany, marking the arrival of the three Kings to the birth of Jesus. In Ireland, this day is known as ‘Little Christmas’ - also called Nollaig na mBan, which translates as Women’s Christmas. It used to be quite widely celebrated and apparently … Continue reading The Dead
Sometimes, when I write, the words I choose and the connections I make can jump about in unexpected directions; by which I mean, unexpected for me. Lately I have been playing a game, trying to use each letter of the alphabet in the first letter of each blog title. I know it is a daft … Continue reading Zeal
The roads around where I live are being resurfaced. It was crying out to be done. One of the first things I noticed about Edinburgh was its pitted roads; full of bumps and holes, making driving an experience of bone-shaking unevenness. I stopped to have a chat with the workmen who were laying the tarmac, … Continue reading Resurfacing
J. directed me to a radio broadcast this week. “You will know why if you have a chance to listen,” her email said. It was a service of dedication for the life of a daughter of Edinburgh, Elsie Inglis, who died 100 years ago this week. Elsie dedicated her life to the medical care of … Continue reading Swimming Against The Current
