capndarcy

January, I am so over you.

And February, I don’t like you either. As I sit here, the sleet is lashing against the window. As we say in Scotland, it’s a dreich day. The dreich days that seem to be endless this January and I don’t hold out much hope for February getting its act together either. There are many thingsContinue reading “January, I am so over you.”

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all, but how did it get to be the year 2026? I grew up in a small farming community. I loved the freedom of playing outdoors, walking along the nearby beach, skimming stones in the water and watching the animals in the fields, especially the lambs playfully leaping in springtime. ItContinue reading “Happy New Year!”

A Love of Portraiture

I am very fond of a good portrait, especially female portraiture (as artist or subject), as I have mentioned in previous posts. Therefore, on my wee escape from real life, I made a point of visiting the Scottish Portrait Gallery, which has several exhibitions on currently. I started at the top of the building andContinue reading “A Love of Portraiture”

Running Away From Home

It has been a busy year. Trips to Paris and Manchester, illness, hospitalised family members and the recent birth of twin grandsons have meant an almost non-stop year. I have dreamed of time to myself-what parent/partner/grandparent doesn’t- but now I have snatched it. And so I have run away from home for a few daysContinue reading “Running Away From Home”

Labour. One Year On.

Last year many of us went to the polls hoping that there would be some kind of change in UK politics. One year on and I read my diary entry of the day after the election – “Labour win but will it mean change? Feel despondent.” The Slough of Despond continues and deepens as IContinue reading “Labour. One Year On.”

The Garden Experiment.

My vegetable garden experiment continues. There are pleasant successes and utter failures but I am hopefully learning something from both and not discouraged by the latter. Lettuce and mixed salad leaves are probably my biggest success, alongside potatoes. I now need to work on how many I plant at one time so that I doContinue reading “The Garden Experiment.”

The Reason.

In a previous post I promised to explain the ‘reason’ I was in Paris enjoying good food, culture and cemetery strolls. Unfortunately, excitement and life got in the way of a prompt explanation so here I am, over a week late, catching up on the news! For many years I have been trying to getContinue reading “The Reason.”

Shopping with a 4 year old

Of all the joys of getting older, being a Baba to my girl gang is one of the best. I love spending time with them and getting to know their personalities. I had the particular joy yesterday of taking my eldest Little Explosion shopping for wellie boots and slippers for playing outside and inside whenContinue reading “Shopping with a 4 year old”

Cemetery Strolling

When I was a child I was frightened of cemeteries. I guess ghost stories had something to do with it. The thought of ethereal spirits or animated skeletal remains are scary to an active young mind. No one wants a bony finger tapping you on the shoulder. We often confuse cemeteries as places for theContinue reading “Cemetery Strolling”

Clean Plates.

Bonjour from Paris! I have been very excited about this trip (more about the reason later). Apart from a complaint I have to write to Air France our little holiday has started well. Last night we had booked to eat at Bouillon Racine and it did not disappoint either in decoration, atmosphere, service or food.Continue reading “Clean Plates.”