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“Saying the Names”

I ask you today to recall those memories of walking round a harbor or marina. Naming a boat allows for all sorts of creativity and imagination. Perhaps you have seen these names on your harbor walks – Old Buoy, Seas the Day, Go with the Flow, Lady of the Lake, Fin and Tonic, Reel Love.Continue reading ““Saying the Names””

The Ends of the Earth

We find ourselves now in the season of Lent – a journey towards Easter. I am thinking about journeys and pilgrims. The pilgrim walk in NW Spain – The Camino de Santiago de Compostela (also known as the Way of St. James) is not quite on my “bucket list” but it’s close! It might edgeContinue reading “The Ends of the Earth”

“being too happy in thy happiness”

Without doubt the poem Ode to a Nightingale by John Keats (1795-1821) is a classic. There are just too many great lines to count, it might be easier to number the not so good lines of the total of 80 that make up the poem. Keats writes from a drowsy numbness as if he hadContinue reading ““being too happy in thy happiness””

Moments of Grace

The poem Moments of Grace by Carol Ann Duffy is one can we can reflect upon for hours upon hours. Duffy’s gift of words and images is a feast, and like all feasts we ought to eat slowly and enjoy every course and every taste. I feel there is so much in this poem thatContinue reading “Moments of Grace”

Washing Day

Many folks used to hang their washing out to dry, and some still do. Now remember I grew up in N. Ireland and rain was everyone’s close friend. Rain was always in the habit of showing up when you least expected, hanging around longer than was really necessary and always promising to visit again soon!Continue reading “Washing Day”

“Could Have”

Random happenings we often call coincidences. No rhyme or reason it just happened. Trying to fill a prescription becomes evermore complicated because there is a person with the same full name and the same date of birth already in the system! Having just flown into London and catching a train to Edinburgh when walking throughContinue reading ““Could Have””

“I took my mind a walk”

Following on from Robert Burns I thought I would stay in Scotland. Jumping from the mid 1700s to the mid 1900s to find Norman MacCaig. He divided his time living 6 months in Edinburgh then six months in Assynt, Sutherland – a most beautiful county in the far north of Scotland with a west coast,Continue reading ““I took my mind a walk””

For a’ that

January 25th is celebrated in Scotland as Burns’ Night, when the famous poet Robert Burns is fondly remembered and Haggis consumed, with an evening of toasts, foods and dancing. Burns’ Suppers are enjoyed throughout the world and as is so often the case those who follow such traditions more closely are those who no longerContinue reading “For a’ that”

Crossing The Bar

Looking towards Freshwater Bay from Tennyson Down Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892) was the fourth of 12 children. Their father Reverend George Tennyson, tutored his children in classical and modern languages. Home life was difficult, their father suffering frequent mental breakdowns and alcoholism. Alfred though escaped the troubles of home when he was admitted to TrinityContinue reading “Crossing The Bar”

“A Flame Within Us”

We who live in the Midwest, and south of Chicago, have so far had only a small fall of snow to contend with unlike so many other others close to the great lakes and Buffalo in particular. However, winter has not yet run its course! Edward Hirsch in his book Poet’s Choice in just 400Continue reading ““A Flame Within Us””