The path where I walk in the coolness of early morning runs beside a stream at the bottom of steep banks. It is water diverted from the Rio Grande River, which people who live here use for irrigating their fields. It has been here for so long that carp spawn here in spring, and the water is… Continue reading Land of Enchantment
Herefordshire and Beyond
The county of Herefordshire lies 2 and a half hours’ drive from Surrey, where we live, but is a world away. The county is only 842 sq miles, with a population of 180, 000 and a population density of 0.8/hectare. Surrey is beautiful, but a much larger county, 23,800 sq. miles, with a population of… Continue reading Herefordshire and Beyond
Hereford and beyond
The county of Herefordshire lies 2 and a half hours’ drive from Surrey, where we live, but is a world away. The county is only 842 sq miles, with a population of 180, 000 and a population density of 0.8/hectare. Surrey is beautiful, but a much larger county, 23, 800 sq. miles, with a population… Continue reading Hereford and beyond
Tintern Abbey
Tin We cross the Severn River, the boundary between England and Wales, on our way to Tintern Abbey. Tintern Abbey lies at the edge of the Forest of Dean, one of the few remaining old forests in Britain, and we are hoping to see the “wild green landscape”, and to hear the “still, sad music… Continue reading Tintern Abbey
Winter Cooking
Okay. So I haven't written about food, or much of anything else, for a long time. But days and days of dreary, rainy weather, short days with dim light for the studio, have driven me inside again. And what better on these wintry days than my cozy old kitchen, whose stones hold molecules of meals… Continue reading Winter Cooking
Tuk, A polar bear
Tuk, A polar bear By Kathleen Hall, adapted from the true experience of Merton Vaslet, who spent several years on the Dewline in Alaska in the late 1930’s and early 40″s. We didn’t want to kill her. But after the ninth night of prowling, turning over garbage cans, and the dogs making a ruckus half… Continue reading Tuk, A polar bear
ARMISTICE DAY, VETERANS’ DAY, REMEMBRANCE DAY
Last Sunday, lugging a heavy suitcase, I took an expensive taxi to Waterloo Station from the hospital where Bernard was in Chelsea. The streets thronged with people jostling for places to watch the Remembrance Day procession, which made my expensive taxi ride even more expensive. But I was impressed that so many people, most wearing… Continue reading ARMISTICE DAY, VETERANS’ DAY, REMEMBRANCE DAY
September
Our gift this month has been soft, sunshiny days and warm nights. Autumn is my favorite time of year, the time when I feel nature take a deep breath before plunging into winter's profound sleep, after the explosive growth of spring and summer. The trees still have their leaves, although you can feel the trees… Continue reading September
Syria and Jordan Part One
Syria and Jordan We’ve been back from Syria and Jordan for nearly two weeks and already it seems like a dream. In fact, it seemed like a dream the day after we returned, but I know it wasn’t. I have Jordanian sand in my sandals to prove it. I haven’t cleaned them yet, not having… Continue reading Syria and Jordan Part One
Syria and Jordan, Part 2
Syria and Jordan, part 2 At last, the promised continuation of our Syria/Jordan trip. This will only be highlights; my highlights, not those of an anthropologist, geologist, ancient historian, student of Biblical history, or anything academic in the slightest. Our guides were a bit of all these, especially the tour organizer, David Price-Williams,… Continue reading Syria and Jordan, Part 2