-
Waxing lyrical
There was a fresh rax for the dictionary when a friend in Italy reminded me of Candlemas, which was yesterday. As with many religious festivals it has been absorbed from previous belief systems, but is now honoured as the day when Mary took the baby Jesus to the temple and was herself purified. It’s 40…
-
Balladeers
It’s Fife’s worst kept secret that the 100th new Lidl* store in Scotland will be opened here. In a marketing coup they have nobbled Burns’ Night (Day?) for the occasion, and have also, allegedly, secured the services of musician KT Tunstall for the event. KT is indeed currently working with the brand Lidl Live, and…
-
Fludde
Today I heard this ballad read out, and after much rootling around I found a sound file or two. The Ballad of the Deluge by W D Cocker (1882 – 1970) The Lord took a staw at mankind, A righteous and natural scunner. They were neither tae haud nor tae bind, They were frichtit nae…
-
Windy
Still on the poetry tack, another which always comes to mind at the turn of the year, deservedly much loved, written by old “mad, bad and dangerous to know”. * Particularly apt given the overnight weather conditions. WordPress has removed some of the spacing, apologies. (*Kirsty removed some of the grammar, likewise. ) Ode…
-
Tunes help you breathe
One of my hopes for 2020 is that I can start to discover some new music, I’m plum tuckered out of not being able to add anything to the conversation on that topic. So, here’s a very anglophonic (I made that up) tune from a band that actually hails from Texas. Midlake
-
Visionary
Having at last arrived in a decade with a proper name, let’s see if the powers that be can arrive at any version of political and environmental sanity, although It’s already kicking off in a fairly non-positive way. Here’s a hopeful poem for 2020. Toad Stop looking like a purse. How could a purse squeeze…
-
December birds
In the interest of sharing musical gems, absolutely no apologies for reposting this. Anent nothing, walked past 60+ curlew feeding on the local football pitches, alongside oyster catchers, lesser black backed gulls, wood pigeons and carrion crows. 20th anniversary of the folk club tomorrow. Looking forward to it.
-
Jingle jangle
Here we go, month 12, the official run down is ON, and now I start to find out about all the holes in that preparation, which I was so convinced was complete. So, it’s back on with the big coat and off to the shops. Here are two tunes which run round my head at…
-
Wide awake
It seemed like a good idea to go to England on the day of the Rugby World Cup Final, so we found ourselves in Wakefield, after a stress free train trip with added random acts of kindness. Our stay was in the hotel in Holmfield Park. We’ll need to go back to see the rhubarb…