tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173706832024-03-07T08:38:30.576+00:00Shapeshifting Greenpoetry, photos and reviews from Crafty Green PoetCrafty Green Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.comBlogger589125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17370683.post-18535102890124827732024-01-25T08:30:00.000+00:002024-01-25T09:05:29.031+00:00A Year of Learning Scottish Gaelic! <p>Last year, I made a belated new year's resolution to learn Scottish Gaelic. Today I reached a 365 day streak of learning the language on Duolingo. Over a million people across the world are learning Scots Gaelic with Duolingo. Find out more <a href="https://www.duolingo.com/course/gd/en/Learn-Scottish%20Gaelic" target="_blank">here</a>. <br /></p><p>I did do a term of evening classes in Scottish Gaelic with <a href="https://www.joininedinburgh.org/?q=gaelic&at=&ns=" target="_blank">Edinburgh Council's Adult Education Programme</a>. However I was very disappointed in them and didn't sign up for another term. University of Edinburgh offers a <a href="https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/short-courses/subjects/languages-courses/gaelic-courses" target="_blank">wider range of classes</a>, though they're more expensive and I was put off by the tutor who I met who said I'd need to sign up for the total beginners class despite having done a term with the council and a few months with Duolingo. <br /></p><p><b>More Online Resources</b></p><p><a href="https://learngaelic.scot/index.jsp" target="_blank">Learn Gaelic</a> is a free online resource for learning Scots Gaelic. It shares a Gaelic word a day on social media. </p><p></p><p><a href="https://speakgaelic.scot/" target="_blank">Speak Gaelic</a> is a Scots Gaelic learning programme, offering online classes and producing learning materials for other organisations. The programme is broadcast on BBC Alba (see below) and you can also watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@SpeakGaelic" target="_blank">all the episodes on Youtube</a>. <br /></p><p><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/alba" target="_blank">BBC Alba </a>offers broadcast TV primarily in Scots Gaelic with some excellent programmes. <br /></p><p><a href="https://linktr.ee/sngaidhlig" target="_blank">Scots Gaelic Week</a> (20-26 February)<br /></p><p><br /></p>Crafty Green Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17370683.post-39099887866564230642023-10-11T11:10:00.000+00:002023-10-11T11:10:56.229+00:00Haiku <div style="text-align: left;">sunset -</div><div style="text-align: left;">remembering</div><div style="text-align: left;">peace </div><p><br /></p><p>previously published in <a href="https://tsuridoro.org/issue-10-july-august-2022" target="_blank">issue 10 of tsuri doro </a><br /></p><br /><p></p>Crafty Green Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17370683.post-6494419987742190592023-09-25T13:30:00.004+00:002023-09-25T13:30:36.259+00:00Commemorating the Women and Girls of the Dalry Magdalene Asylum<p>The Magdalene Laundries in Ireland, also known as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magdalene_asylum" title="Magdalene asylum">Magdalene asylums</a>, were institutions, usually run by Roman Catholic orders, which operated from the 18th to the late 20th centuries. They housed so called "fallen women", an estimated 30,000 of whom were confined in these institutions in Ireland. Less well known is the fact that <a href="https://fournationshistory.wordpress.com/2017/10/02/2550/" target="_blank">Magdalene asylums also operated in Scotland</a>. They were not quite as strict as those in Ireland, but that doesn't mean they were pleasant places to be incarcerated. </p><p>The <a href="https://eccleshistsoc.wordpress.com/2018/01/03/magdalene-establishments-in-nineteenth-century-edinburgh/" target="_blank">Edinburgh Magdalene Asylum </a>stood for a time in the Dalry part of Edinburgh and a number of the girls and women who were housed there are buried in North Merchiston Cemetery. One of the projects that the committee of the cemetery friends group has been involved with is preparing a plaque to commemorate the lives of these women. </p><p>We are very pleased to report that the plaque is now in place on the burial mound in the cemetery. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAc82f-0pSCTKWB5LF3gk0RWZ4VNtZAoH6QxI6Nq_2eiRP0fMu-cXVgrTkuBawPsgsIij1v5S3E96yUZbsBRy6UFrBeAbx2JrExL5KvpoQ7qNR1uQkEk9o0SRAnw7rrX-J7iTpZ5hxJMTAu_iYajzcmkbP5Z3M2fpFWRaJrWHuP5NrL9YfCfg2/s2560/P1510006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAc82f-0pSCTKWB5LF3gk0RWZ4VNtZAoH6QxI6Nq_2eiRP0fMu-cXVgrTkuBawPsgsIij1v5S3E96yUZbsBRy6UFrBeAbx2JrExL5KvpoQ7qNR1uQkEk9o0SRAnw7rrX-J7iTpZ5hxJMTAu_iYajzcmkbP5Z3M2fpFWRaJrWHuP5NrL9YfCfg2/s320/P1510006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2REGCNAhd77flQFCT-2fuEIr1bxKe6lB6UKwAIz54gzua-PT19K5lOXdgaqF36q_MtKAaOLHVzbwrkmMVohTDTKm2IkLOw_kvN8NHTUT3z39QnPWLDMzI2pdY8yWy9c42F3wk2Kt2Di8iNFJEP61sZ01s4ndDVGpaMWewM1kvYxrwa53-NCMJ/s2560/P1510004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2REGCNAhd77flQFCT-2fuEIr1bxKe6lB6UKwAIz54gzua-PT19K5lOXdgaqF36q_MtKAaOLHVzbwrkmMVohTDTKm2IkLOw_kvN8NHTUT3z39QnPWLDMzI2pdY8yWy9c42F3wk2Kt2Di8iNFJEP61sZ01s4ndDVGpaMWewM1kvYxrwa53-NCMJ/s320/P1510004.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">The plaque says: </span></p><p><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">"<i>The Dalry Magdalene Asylum. Conceived with the notion of Christian charity and philanthropy, the first Edinburgh Magdalene Asylum opened its doors in 1797 in Canongate as a kind of half way house for women leaving prison. In the mid 1800s, The Dalry Magdalene Asylum (subsequently renamed Springwell House) was founded as a reformatory school for what were then called 'fallen women'. The Asylum remained a reformatory school for women and girls until the 1950s. It has now been converted into apartments on the corner of Ardmillan Terrace and Gorgie Road. This is the mound in which some of the residents of the asylum are buried." <br /></i></span></p><p><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">The burial mound was formerly marked only by this pretty but uninformative gravestone: </span></p><p><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHx3jVQOYLZnDTmx6I7174GvTd3BRUjf9FU6j_4Cs3WTsieHOfOH9cu5Khussztr1Wt40YZ2P94XLqHRb2Z3QQaa4xVH1Uf9JPAA7LbNvKNKNKamr4Wwx-_qucGwgz0gwb1vlHsUJQvBos5b2rMPCUXGbBeUsp7U8uaWkTw8qmE_EhLMjCHxAB/s2560/P1510008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHx3jVQOYLZnDTmx6I7174GvTd3BRUjf9FU6j_4Cs3WTsieHOfOH9cu5Khussztr1Wt40YZ2P94XLqHRb2Z3QQaa4xVH1Uf9JPAA7LbNvKNKNKamr4Wwx-_qucGwgz0gwb1vlHsUJQvBos5b2rMPCUXGbBeUsp7U8uaWkTw8qmE_EhLMjCHxAB/s320/P1510008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Thanks are due to our committee member Lauren for putting the plaque together, and to <a href="https://twitter.com/DrJAThor" target="_blank">Dr Jowita Thor</a> for helping with the research. <br /> <br /><p></p>Crafty Green Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17370683.post-28765431964235562882023-07-26T20:52:00.004+00:002023-07-26T20:52:42.434+00:00Failte gu Alba (Welcome to Scotland)<p>Failte gu Alba (Welcome to Scotland) is an excellent documentary in BBC Alba. <span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">Singer </span>Mischa Mac<span class="r-18u37iz"><a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1cvl2hr r-1loqt21 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/MischaMacp" role="link">P</a>herson </span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">meets refugees and asylum seekers making a new life in Glasgow. Working on various musical projects, they share their stories and reflect on the importance of music in their lives. The programme is available for another couple of weeks, and you can watch it <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001d0wf/failte-gu-alba" target="_blank">here</a>. <br /></span></p><p>Evye Madyise, a Zimbabwean musician living in Glasgow, features in the documentary. You can listen to some of her excellent music on Soundcloud <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-660304710/tracks" target="_blank">here</a>. <br /></p>Crafty Green Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17370683.post-5223823201909212612023-04-04T18:07:00.005+00:002023-04-04T18:07:59.794+00:00Senryu<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">folding</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> the ballot paper — </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">shifting sands</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"><i>previously published in <a href="https://tsuridoro.org/issue-10-july-august-2022" target="_blank">tsuri doro, issue 10 </a></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"><i>**</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"><i>I have two senryu in Issue 85 of <a href="https://failedhaiku.com/" target="_blank">Failed Haiku</a>, you can read the whole issue <a href="https://failedhaiku.com/2022/12/31/issue-85-is-here/" target="_blank">here.</a> <br /></i></span></div>Crafty Green Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17370683.post-60391796255833022962023-01-21T16:28:00.006+00:002023-01-21T16:28:57.975+00:00Chimneys at Lauriston Castle <p> There's something quite beautiful about the chimneys at Edinburgh's Lauriston Castle!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil05r7VK4WYNt57jKKlaJiXGvoXJ6VQH6SMWBdYR6zDWO2TVDLkhrggkbSkqr1hQ4oaP6oOKbaod_WklTfA8ppCnVYAz1ultDrQGjmrqwpwnxf4a3rUe9YAD37BSd1gU7uF0oXPY09ie2doLIyRCXa1fjNJXH6pa7NSCUJnWK9zAFQ7Dc_bA/s4000/P1470790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil05r7VK4WYNt57jKKlaJiXGvoXJ6VQH6SMWBdYR6zDWO2TVDLkhrggkbSkqr1hQ4oaP6oOKbaod_WklTfA8ppCnVYAz1ultDrQGjmrqwpwnxf4a3rUe9YAD37BSd1gU7uF0oXPY09ie2doLIyRCXa1fjNJXH6pa7NSCUJnWK9zAFQ7Dc_bA/s320/P1470790.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>You can read more about today's walk around the castle grounds over on <a href="https://craftygreenpoet.blogspot.com/2023/01/lauriston-castle.html" target="_blank">Crafty Green Poet</a>. <br /><p><br /></p>Crafty Green Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17370683.post-84684817829562283262022-11-15T09:07:00.004+00:002022-11-15T09:07:51.652+00:00Manchester Voices <p><a href="https://explore.manchestervoices.org/" target="_blank"> Manchester Voices</a> is a fascinating research project run by a team from Manchester Metropolitan University. The project explores the accents, dialects and identities of people from Manchester in the North-west of England. </p><p>The team identified four distinct Greater Manchester dialects - ‘Manc’, ‘Lancashire’, ‘Wigan’ and ‘posh’. Most people would probably say I have a 'posh' accent (and many people tell me I do sound posh), but really I have a Lancashire accent (posh Lancashire?). Of course, my accent has been affected by living in Edinburgh for over 30 years!<br /></p><p>There's lots to explore on the <a href="https://explore.manchestervoices.org/" target="_blank">Manchester Voices website</a>! You may also be interested in the following articles about the project: <br /></p><p></p><p><a href="https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/mancunian-way-dyou-know-what-25515461" target="_blank">D'you know what I mean?</a> article in the Mancunian Way newsletter</p><p><a href="https://www.mmu.ac.uk/metmagazine/story/index.php?id=15093" target="_blank">Vocal Pride</a> on the Manchester Metropolitan University website <br /></p><p>A permanent exhibition of Manchester Voices will be found in the city's <a href="https://www.manchester.gov.uk/centrallibrary" target="_blank">central library</a>. <br /></p>Crafty Green Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17370683.post-17465401998918785232022-11-06T18:30:00.000+00:002022-11-06T18:59:13.833+00:00Three Thrillers from Northodox Publishing <p> <img alt="1621179837.png" src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5bd0df_889b22c468264fbf8dfd96488aca7df8~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_476,h_403,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5bd0df_889b22c468264fbf8dfd96488aca7df8~mv2.png" style="height: 403px; object-fit: cover; object-position: 50% 50%; width: 476px;" /></p><p><b>Her Sister's Shadow</b> by Catherine Wimpeney <br /></p><p>Greater Manchester DCI Kay Harris is haunted by the memory of her sister's recent suicide. Concerned for her mental health, her superiors push her into taking some time off. Kay retreats to her family's holiday home in the Scottish Highlands, taking with her, Ava, a young woman she prevented from committing suicide. </p><p>Wimpeney is a former mental health nurse and qualified psychotherapist, and used her experience in writing this thriller. The subject matter is fairly heavy, including issues around expectations of women in the workplace, bullying at work, mental health support and trauma recovery, but the book is lightened by a good sense of humour. <br /></p><p>As a birdwatcher, I liked the frequent bird based similes that Kay used to describe things, eg <i>"Their phones rang intermittently, like robins marking territories". </i>I was disappointed that this disappeared from the book quite quickly, though perhaps that was a deliberate attempt to add to the sense of Kay's deteriorating mental health. <i></i></p><p>It's an engrossing read, though slightly uneven (and perhaps could have done with better editing). Definitely worth reading if you're interested in the issues. <i><br /></i></p><p><i><a href="https://www.northodox.co.uk/product-page/her-sister-s-shadow-paperback" target="_blank">Her Sister's Shadow by Catherine Wimpeney</a>, <br /></i></p><p><i>**</i></p><p><i> </i><img alt="1631356049.png" src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5bd0df_b6d80a246f904445bd498f2a7fe3e76c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_476,h_403,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5bd0df_b6d80a246f904445bd498f2a7fe3e76c~mv2.png" style="height: 403px; object-fit: cover; object-position: 50% 50%; width: 476px;" /></p><p><i> </i><b>The Girl Beneath the Ice</b> by Joseph Darlington </p><p>School pupil Tasha Barcroft is found frozen in a river in the middle of a very cold winter. It falls to Inspector Dafydd Todor to find out how she died. </p><p>This story focuses on different people in Tasha's life, including her boyfriend Lucas, schoolgirl Frigg who had been bullied by Tasha, Mrs Barcroft, Tasha's grandmother. Did any of these people have motive to kill Tasha or was it in fact Todd, the recluse who lives in a makeshift home in the forest while apparently being employed as a ranger (though he seems to not even know whether he really has a job, making him pretty unbelievable as a character)? <br /></p><p>The winter setting is very effectively conveyed through description of the weather and landscape and the book is a real page turner, the reader definitely wants to know what happens next. However, there seemed to be inconsistencies in the plot and in the understanding of the physics of frozen rivers. </p><p>Worth a read if you like thrillers set in winter. </p><p><a href="http://www.josefadarlington.co.uk/store/p9/The_Girl_Beneath_the_Ice.html" target="_blank">The Girl Beneath the Ice</a> by<a href="http://www.josefadarlington.co.uk/" target="_blank"> Joseph Darlington</a>. <img alt="Under the Bridge - Paperback" aria-hidden="false" class="_2NNgJ _24O7B er7Ub" data-hook="product-image" src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5bd0df_f986ff455ea04f3192b15d93d9e5a50d~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_580,h_420,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/5bd0df_f986ff455ea04f3192b15d93d9e5a50d~mv2.webp" style="height: 420px; width: 580px;" /></p><p><b>Under the Bridge by Jack Byrne </b></p><p>The year is 2004, a body has been discovered in the Liverpool Docklands. Anne McCarthy, a new reporter on a local newspaper, is keen to investigate the case and finds that she has let herself in for more than she bargained for. </p><p>The body dates back to the 1970s, a time of industrial strife and smuggling. </p><p>By getting involved in the investigations, Anne uncovers hidden histories and secrets and the lives of the Wicklow Boys, a group of men smuggling contraband into the docks. Meanwhile, Anne's friend Vinny, who is starting a research project into what makes up the Liverpudlian identity, starts to question what he knows about hos own family history. <br /></p><p>This is a thoroughly researched, tautly written thriller bringing in the history of Irish immigration into Liverpool and questions around Liverpudlian identity, while telling an excellent story. <i><br /></i></p><p><i><a href="https://www.northodox.co.uk/product-page/under-the-bridge-paperback" target="_blank">Under the Bridge</a> by Jack Byrne.</i></p><p><i>You can read my review of Airedale by Dylan Byford (also published by Northodox) on my Crafty Green Poet blog <a href="https://craftygreenpoet.blogspot.com/2022/01/airedale-by-dylan-byford.html" target="_blank">here</a>. <br /></i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i>All four books published (2021) by <a href="https://www.northodox.co.uk/" target="_blank">Northodox Press</a>, a publishing company committed to books from the north of England. </i></p><p><i>**<br /></i></p><p><i>Disclaimer: I won these books in a competition on <a href="https://twitter.com/northodoxpress" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. </i><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Crafty Green Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17370683.post-50818127495028786102022-11-01T13:03:00.002+00:002022-11-16T12:20:20.410+00:00Join the Campaign to Save the Edinburgh Filmhouse <p>Cinema goers were saddened last month when it was announced that the
Centre for the Moving Image was going into administration, meaning the
end of Edinburgh's Filmhouse Cinema (and its online sister Filmhouse at
Home), Aberdeen's Belmont Cinema and the Edinburgh International Film
Festival. The reasons given for the collapse of the charity include the
effect of the pandemic on reducing cinema audiences (I've rarely been to
the cinema since COVID struck and have watched films online including
on Filmhouse at Home), the recent huge hike in energy prices in the UK
and the general cost of living crisis. In truth, apparently, the signs
had been there for years, but the charity hadn't made them public. I
think if problems had been made public, then people would have rallied
round to save the cinemas and festival before all this happened. </p><p>At
the same time, one of the major art galleries in Edinburgh has closed
its doors until the Spring and there are rumours of other closures
across the Scottish arts sector. <br /></p><p>We need our cultural
institutions! Depending on the film, cinema can offer escapism or
directly address the issues that face the world. </p><p>So, a campaign has been launched to Save the Filmhouse. You can read about the campaign on the Edinburgh Evening News website <a href="https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/edinburgh-international-film-festival-campaign-launched-to-save-long-running-event-and-filmhouse-cinema-3900376?amp" target="_blank">here</a>, find out more on <a href="https://www.savethefilmhouse.com/" target="_blank">the campaign website </a>or follow <a href="https://twitter.com/SaveFilmhouse">@SaveFilmhouse on </a><a href="https://twitter.com/SaveFilmhouse" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. </p><p>Edited to add: A <a href="https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-filmhouse-cinema" target="_blank">crowdfunder has now been set up to secure the future of Filmhouse</a>. <br /></p><p> </p>Crafty Green Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17370683.post-85397831011401773262022-10-27T11:09:00.001+00:002022-10-27T11:09:56.947+00:00Haiku about cataracts 2<div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8lhs9" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr"><span>waiting</span></span></span></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8lhs9" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr"><span>for cataract surgery -</span>
<span> </span></span></span></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8lhs9" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr"><span>clouds pass slowly</span></span></span></div><p>previously published on <a href="https://kalonopia.wixsite.com/site/post-ty5wu/2-haikus-juliet-wilson" target="_blank">Kalanopia </a><br /></p>Crafty Green Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17370683.post-36042470632562037162022-09-16T07:09:00.005+00:002022-09-16T11:26:40.612+00:00Haiku <div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-fud9a" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr"><span>The aura </span></span></span></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-fud9a" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr"><span>of cataracts -</span></span></span></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5rt9e" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr"><span>broken moon</span></span></span></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5rt9e" style="text-align: left;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr"><span style="color: #222222;"> </span></span></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5rt9e" style="text-align: left;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr"><span style="color: #222222;">** </span></span><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr"><span style="color: #222222;"><i> </i></span></span></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5rt9e" style="text-align: left;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr"><span style="color: #222222;"><i><span style="color: white;">previously published on</span><a href="https://kalonopia.wixsite.com/site/post-ty5wu/2-haikus-juliet-wilson" target="_blank"><span style="color: white;"> </span>Kalanopia</a>. </i></span></span></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5rt9e" style="text-align: left;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr"><span style="color: #222222;"><i> </i></span></span></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5rt9e" style="text-align: left;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr"><span style="color: #222222;"><i><span style="color: white;">I also posted a haiku today on my</span> <a href="https://craftygreenpoet.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Crafty Green Poet</a> <span style="color: white;">blog, you can read it</span> <a href="https://craftygreenpoet.blogspot.com/2022/09/haiku.html" target="_blank">here</a>. <br /></i></span></span></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5rt9e" style="text-align: left;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr"><span style="color: #222222;"><i> </i></span></span></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5rt9e" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr"><span>Links to recently published haiku - click on the coloured text: </span></span></span></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5rt9e" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr"><span> </span></span></span></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5rt9e" style="text-align: left;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="color: white;">A selection of </span><a href="https://lothlorienpoetryjournal.blogspot.com/2022/08/haiku-senryu-by-juliet-wilson.html" target="_blank">haiku on Lothlorien Journal</a>. </span></span></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5rt9e" style="text-align: left;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr"><span style="color: #222222;"> </span></span></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5rt9e" style="text-align: left;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="color: white;">A selection of </span><a href="https://tsuridoro.org/issue-10-july-august-2022" target="_blank">haiku on Tsuri Doro</a> <span style="color: white;">(scroll down to read mine). <br /></span></span></span></div><p><span style="color: white;">A selection of </span><a href="https://underthebasho.com/the-journal/under-the-basho-2022/haiku/juliet-wilson.html" target="_blank">haiku on Under the Basho</a>. <br /></p><p><br /></p>Crafty Green Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17370683.post-25032801611518697902022-08-16T08:25:00.001+00:002022-08-16T08:31:16.470+00:00ShoesWe cannot speak for you<br />
we have not walked your path<br />
the path that wore down your shoes<br />
the shoes that are now piled high<br />
in glass cases that we file past<br />
silently.<br />
<br />
We have not walked your path<br />
and cannot speak for you<br />
but silence allows your deaths<br />
again and again and again<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Previously published on <a href="http://www.poetryofscotland.co.uk/Other/shoes2.php" target="_blank"><b>Poetry,Songs and Writers of Scotland</b></a>. </i>Crafty Green Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17370683.post-32180619923908868112022-07-01T07:27:00.002+00:002022-07-01T07:27:50.030+00:00Poetry in the Chess Cafe <p><span style="color: white;"><span>“Poetry is like chess” the old man said to me.<br /><br />He was sitting in the corner of a diner<br />looking vacantly through the window<br />at the sunlit city street.<br /><br />“Not only in the sense” he continued quietly<br />“of the length of time you need to think.<br />But also there's an instinct -<br />the right move or the right word<br />can arise it seems from nowhere<br />and inspiration is all around.<br />For example, I am no past Grand Master<br />so why do I talk of chess?”<br /> <br />He looked downwards at the floor<br />where the black legs of the diner chairs<br />stood quietly on black and white tiled squares.<br /><br />“Perhaps we are but pawns” he said<br />“but that is just the starting point<br />for another poem another day.”<br /><br />He nodded briefly at me<br />then turned his gaze back to the street.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">Previously published as part of the <a href="https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-writing-challenges/ekphrastic-challenge-responses-lily-prigioniero" target="_blank">Ekphrastic Challenge in response to the painting </a></span><a href="https://www.ekphrastic.net/ekphrastic-writing-challenges/ekphrastic-challenge-responses-lily-prigioniero" target="_blank"><i>The Poet, by Lily Prigioniero (Italy, b. USA) 2021</i></a></p>Crafty Green Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17370683.post-68675369056474023982022-03-14T15:33:00.001+00:002022-03-14T15:33:13.198+00:00Inch House<p class="font_8" style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.4em;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">I'm looking forward to leading some nature walks in Inch Park in the early summer. I recently had a guided tour of Inch House, which houses the Inch Community centre. </span></p><p class="font_8" style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.4em;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgle6kw46fax1yCA362X6Ew2KSwdn1UTrJnRwc5H5F4Pth5goo80itGmc874bdYEIaQ6CpH8iguEketxYAhr7HDFA8OltaYIv5a1_cVi5NIXxv5_ifU7enseZ9CsB8k2Ap6HiN3O1FinxQ8E9GSXfGf9T4eM636DqRFdTCcEGWMkZBHBFhHwQ=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgle6kw46fax1yCA362X6Ew2KSwdn1UTrJnRwc5H5F4Pth5goo80itGmc874bdYEIaQ6CpH8iguEketxYAhr7HDFA8OltaYIv5a1_cVi5NIXxv5_ifU7enseZ9CsB8k2Ap6HiN3O1FinxQ8E9GSXfGf9T4eM636DqRFdTCcEGWMkZBHBFhHwQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 17px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 17px;"></span><p></p><p class="font_8" style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.4em;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">Inch House is
based on a traditional Scottish tower house, built in the 16th century. </span></p><p class="font_8" style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.4em;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoahyiTtbnQscdqrRNjPWFErQnHLVlGeHtM9u_FtnCpXEVYVzcb5Tsa-hE5HgxAx9a5jViW3GOXTngsrwNSHlD1S8v5CIISNmo7lZm1xSqb9KupDh05KX5Rl6Q2rpjW2k2-r-YpanhM_8r8CpXYUdYoeDYHrNk2VE2oqrhfM_MUKMmiHBt3g=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoahyiTtbnQscdqrRNjPWFErQnHLVlGeHtM9u_FtnCpXEVYVzcb5Tsa-hE5HgxAx9a5jViW3GOXTngsrwNSHlD1S8v5CIISNmo7lZm1xSqb9KupDh05KX5Rl6Q2rpjW2k2-r-YpanhM_8r8CpXYUdYoeDYHrNk2VE2oqrhfM_MUKMmiHBt3g=s320" width="240" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="font_8" style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.4em;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">New wings were added to the building in 1634 and again in the mid-18th
century. In the 1890s, additions were made round the
courtyard in Scots baronial style, giving the building its current appearance. <br /></span></p><p class="font_8" style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.4em;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUOBLL-cGD-NwRNzl7ZMLTXttvH_4YvVTV9wOviVlODxE8gYKZgA9n62tXUNs9MWACV3gEPlIO9fjFxS6MFChMpNebqeA3IIInbm3f-Rg00BmmDDzS-_c2tNbGx3O11bX6gyjmRufPuCVhfmBVrQQqc1kvAv8TX9PMF4mwoMjj1g6rNCMFWw=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUOBLL-cGD-NwRNzl7ZMLTXttvH_4YvVTV9wOviVlODxE8gYKZgA9n62tXUNs9MWACV3gEPlIO9fjFxS6MFChMpNebqeA3IIInbm3f-Rg00BmmDDzS-_c2tNbGx3O11bX6gyjmRufPuCVhfmBVrQQqc1kvAv8TX9PMF4mwoMjj1g6rNCMFWw=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: 17px;"><br />Later additions mostly were very sensitive to the original style of the building - look at how the newer chimney piece in the background here echoes the shape and detail of the older chimney piece in the foreground (click on the photo to enlarge it and get a better look at the detail)<br /></span><p></p><p class="font_8" style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.4em;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><span class="wixGuard"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxmLc153Gk0AO2qK4NJGCks6Z7pYh5yurpKjbEQ2a5oZiXL-p1YLXpxa8CoupziHp6J9af2IZ-2XvW8ymbWn1rSxQw7E0KfDMxqRf5cuBP1XOUxRqJyfnCHIN4v0vWAwVPt8_W8C-G3XOi3P4ECy3W4SEGXXOj7dq51TIgaOVe6VvRWt6M_w=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxmLc153Gk0AO2qK4NJGCks6Z7pYh5yurpKjbEQ2a5oZiXL-p1YLXpxa8CoupziHp6J9af2IZ-2XvW8ymbWn1rSxQw7E0KfDMxqRf5cuBP1XOUxRqJyfnCHIN4v0vWAwVPt8_W8C-G3XOi3P4ECy3W4SEGXXOj7dq51TIgaOVe6VvRWt6M_w=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="font_8" style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.4em;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">The building contains many well-preserved rooms, complete with special features
such as 17th century fireplaces, decorated ceilings, window shutters and
carved wooden door surrounds, </span></p><p class="font_8" style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.4em;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDkygfKKFVIdkLlyqwoY9c2BxowNBKYlZV2YcM2jAyf3-iuif_GX_dZ5hwSArlrOnmJf58UFAiahGCIMlop0uyWxKIjUzGc0jZXevtvKGAmkIGZaP5rzJt2t6i7CSsoZAWohr9cH5XHvm09dTcg02uQlg5QiV56aPQCqqJ9CLCLKS52dbVEQ=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDkygfKKFVIdkLlyqwoY9c2BxowNBKYlZV2YcM2jAyf3-iuif_GX_dZ5hwSArlrOnmJf58UFAiahGCIMlop0uyWxKIjUzGc0jZXevtvKGAmkIGZaP5rzJt2t6i7CSsoZAWohr9cH5XHvm09dTcg02uQlg5QiV56aPQCqqJ9CLCLKS52dbVEQ=s320" width="320" /></a></p><p></p><p class="font_8" style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.4em;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">as well as original stone garderobes
(toilets). A
very narrow spiral staircase leads to a turret, where (apparently!) you can get magnificent views across Edinburgh. (I had to admit defeat on this staircase, I've hated tiny spiral staircases ever since a childhood visit to a lighthouse!)<br /></span></p>
<p class="font_8" style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.4em;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">Edinburgh Council bought the building in 1946. It was first used as a primary school, and then in
1968 converted into a community centre serving the local Inch community. As well as being a community centre, the building offers practice space for a number of local bands </span></p><p class="font_8" style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.4em;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTD1tFuOzzg3Q35mOycxZ3zL7QVyjCaBVF6D7RLaEFBsw1thLBLAO-ib73BMJ0gYQF3qMaA9O2bgBRy-vSlq5u9hOqBNEhIMWG-1qXfcfMRfor2FRa1lbsbP3NHLMZevjf7ahAdWGpDcKaa8f44zVmqhxfQkPKJFkFZPQMvD8tu7hnN9Y3dQ=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTD1tFuOzzg3Q35mOycxZ3zL7QVyjCaBVF6D7RLaEFBsw1thLBLAO-ib73BMJ0gYQF3qMaA9O2bgBRy-vSlq5u9hOqBNEhIMWG-1qXfcfMRfor2FRa1lbsbP3NHLMZevjf7ahAdWGpDcKaa8f44zVmqhxfQkPKJFkFZPQMvD8tu7hnN9Y3dQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 17px;">You can find out more about the building <a href="https://www.inchhouse.scot/history" target="_blank">here</a>. <br /></span><p></p>Crafty Green Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17370683.post-47320681824226373072022-03-11T13:00:00.000+00:002022-03-11T13:19:31.750+00:00Not in Our Name (a found poem)<p><span style="font-family: "arial";">There were mutterings that each day grew louder,<br />signs and portents that we refused to believe.<br />Local militia were organizing and drilling<br />getting ready to answer the call should it come.<br />Not that people thought that it would come.<br />They believed, as they hoped,<br />that something would be done to prevent war…….<br />As for those others who prophesied and prayed for it,<br />who wanted the vials of God's wrath uncorked,<br />they got what they wanted.<br />Their prayers were answered;<br />the land was drenched in blood.<br />But for the most of us<br />we did not.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "arial";">Found poem from:</span><b><span style="font-family: "arial";">A Virginia Girl in the Civil War, 1861-1865: Being a Record of the Actual Experiences of the Wife of a Confederate Officer: Ed. by Myrta Lockett Avary </span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-family: "arial";"> </span></b></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: "arial";">I originally posted this found poem for Read Write Poem, four years ago, but it seems very relevant to today's situation. <a href="http://readwritepoem.org/2009/04/10/napowrimo-10-thrift-store/"> </a></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "arial";"> </span></i><br />
<br />
<br /></p>Crafty Green Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17370683.post-70354456793397457262021-09-30T19:36:00.004+00:002021-09-30T19:36:56.094+00:00Angels in Canongate Kirkyard <p> Perhaps these two are cherubs rather than angels, but they are certainly beautiful. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXhO1NNWTx6Z6mxhLT0vsGgUe683Jb3yoGW_uMJKGp688f_sHfOF6uhLEDVnMv9bbD6hb0DeTFc_9KoDD88NE2sfqZRSvRwawJF3BmOUhdK5M-6U0C72qHdgpkRDCV3SAHnVA/s2048/P1400361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXhO1NNWTx6Z6mxhLT0vsGgUe683Jb3yoGW_uMJKGp688f_sHfOF6uhLEDVnMv9bbD6hb0DeTFc_9KoDD88NE2sfqZRSvRwawJF3BmOUhdK5M-6U0C72qHdgpkRDCV3SAHnVA/s320/P1400361.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGjn8u_6u2JNby5ACJq85tEs6xIbWO5Qnmf07X7R3vEX_LvHDRRU0C_KQuV7i1Hfu4LuPpF9GPoyMgFe0Zcnm-xoYbaiW5EqZjNLXbiWL1VEMwNnH4KVltCRvzbyhMXlpbdL4/s2048/P1400362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGjn8u_6u2JNby5ACJq85tEs6xIbWO5Qnmf07X7R3vEX_LvHDRRU0C_KQuV7i1Hfu4LuPpF9GPoyMgFe0Zcnm-xoYbaiW5EqZjNLXbiWL1VEMwNnH4KVltCRvzbyhMXlpbdL4/s320/P1400362.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>You can see these in Canongate Kirkyard in Edinburgh's Royal Mile. <br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Crafty Green Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17370683.post-85743160617765633902021-09-28T19:56:00.003+00:002021-09-28T19:56:39.291+00:00An Angel in Liberton Cemetery <p> I'm really enjoying exploring the cemeteries of Edinburgh as I survey them for wildlife. Here is a beautiful angel in Liberton Cemetery. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Z2g2QJkJRv-dH_q6BIaV1gDLKMq-cbNXpRLBwN7xiHgnEOwFrI1vznp9nfkA7ZpcEtCGR2TbhSF_0_UtMnlQP3Tu9u-PFvOEb48gGWkFH7t0s2ii30NJg8S33fbiGQyC0OAR/s2048/P1400267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Z2g2QJkJRv-dH_q6BIaV1gDLKMq-cbNXpRLBwN7xiHgnEOwFrI1vznp9nfkA7ZpcEtCGR2TbhSF_0_UtMnlQP3Tu9u-PFvOEb48gGWkFH7t0s2ii30NJg8S33fbiGQyC0OAR/s320/P1400267.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkjIIssouhMgfL4ajC50cY-AsMy__b0XJfgZRzqGHaMiALM6ccPSC1cpsuOjDUYCdatE17iuD5ECCZurWHMj3CvjHEj6hgE60EyOQ9A_3S2Z0hzcH4rLYdO3LBryHyDCS7NWU/s2048/P1400268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkjIIssouhMgfL4ajC50cY-AsMy__b0XJfgZRzqGHaMiALM6ccPSC1cpsuOjDUYCdatE17iuD5ECCZurWHMj3CvjHEj6hgE60EyOQ9A_3S2Z0hzcH4rLYdO3LBryHyDCS7NWU/s320/P1400268.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>You can see the angel from Corstorphine HIll Cemetery in my recent post <a href="http://foundcraftygreenart.blogspot.com/2021/09/an-angel-in-woodland-cemetery.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </p><p>You can read my first blogpost about the wildlife of Edinburgh's cemeteries over on my Crafty Green Poet blog <a href="https://craftygreenpoet.blogspot.com/2021/09/a-tale-of-two-cemeteries.html" target="_blank">here</a>. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Crafty Green Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17370683.post-52574678720929967192021-09-27T07:11:00.007+00:002021-09-27T07:11:54.194+00:00An Angel in the Woodland cemetery <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSH-Slst9KryjWGiW1TusE0QB4UNLcjv_-vlefp47Ieceoov-bfQ86JAY2tleXEesGbSxWpsVtZGXzz-EAhm5K70ld5P1WFnNQPzgmAo5EahSdSnKaFkIZCzW54OQ4mageDyNZ/s2048/P1400024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSH-Slst9KryjWGiW1TusE0QB4UNLcjv_-vlefp47Ieceoov-bfQ86JAY2tleXEesGbSxWpsVtZGXzz-EAhm5K70ld5P1WFnNQPzgmAo5EahSdSnKaFkIZCzW54OQ4mageDyNZ/s320/P1400024.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyo9PDgrSFe2vyc9dcRR3MocIGy6E1ZVTE91qmQaVSNrKPCkRmwg07OAgI_rD5VrVtfz89ea0tRVQD5yy_8PDYzEbZ2q0hlNieNwSGwgnIcSRHRMRcBluZk3q7bNLSUlyk5Ws/s2048/P1400020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyo9PDgrSFe2vyc9dcRR3MocIGy6E1ZVTE91qmQaVSNrKPCkRmwg07OAgI_rD5VrVtfz89ea0tRVQD5yy_8PDYzEbZ2q0hlNieNwSGwgnIcSRHRMRcBluZk3q7bNLSUlyk5Ws/s320/P1400020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This beautiful angel stands in Corstorphine Hill Cemetery, one of the 43 cemeteries in Edinburgh that I've been contracted to do wildlife surveys of over the next six months. <p></p><p>Last week I surveyed this cemetery and Greyfriars Kirkyard, and you can read more over on my Crafty Green Poet blog, <a href="http://craftygreenpoet.blogspot.com/2021/09/a-tale-of-two-cemeteries.html" target="_blank">here</a>. <br /></p>Crafty Green Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17370683.post-60084522367783542732021-09-04T09:41:00.001+00:002021-09-04T09:41:14.723+00:00Celtic Crosses of North Merchiston Cemetery <p> Over lockdown, Crafty Green Boyfriend and I discovered two of the local cemeteries as wonderful wildlife havens. (I've blogged quite a lot about the wildlife of the cemeteries in my<a href="http://craftygreenpoet.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> Crafty Green Poet blog</a>). A Friends group has been set up for the North Merchiston Cemetery and I've joined the committee as the Wildlife Officer. We recently set up a Twitter account (@FofNMC which you can follow<a href="https://twitter.com/FofNMC" target="_blank"> here</a>). I'm tweeting about the wildlife, but also about some of the gravestones.</p><p>There are some beautiful Celtic crosses in the cemetery, the photos below show just a selection:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxXS0DE0PExNJairW6iMgaEN_uPqTMpH5jZhYGj4eTkBHM54tq5M77T61MGMY64p0wzCjQGdbk6rUG1G2WImzRlJEoLrFdLD4r5ftw_9C07DBUtHsX8wzWBv1EH0OtxNckl74/s2048/P1390405.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1435" data-original-width="2048" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxXS0DE0PExNJairW6iMgaEN_uPqTMpH5jZhYGj4eTkBHM54tq5M77T61MGMY64p0wzCjQGdbk6rUG1G2WImzRlJEoLrFdLD4r5ftw_9C07DBUtHsX8wzWBv1EH0OtxNckl74/s320/P1390405.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbBbrN32syn5ydiNa__sZo8vT5pxB9tLGAlxgS-S9w8cnl5RtvYFxlsDB2LVq3XgB46nPyB-JqW7e_HCZCKhOkKElVe8Vkzna2_kof6j_A9Ug6ZyvamFtmGYLV_JM5FmWPZXY/s2048/P1390406.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbBbrN32syn5ydiNa__sZo8vT5pxB9tLGAlxgS-S9w8cnl5RtvYFxlsDB2LVq3XgB46nPyB-JqW7e_HCZCKhOkKElVe8Vkzna2_kof6j_A9Ug6ZyvamFtmGYLV_JM5FmWPZXY/s320/P1390406.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_0zq34RXztMjYWhLfp26fgBMk7UY6dLowx0zg9vU8VmXjEjiaKBAFY8t49CkQH1gD1m5k5930vmmN7hMgnS810xh-xVeZ4_nGOIINIxMFf56q6GQm_fuDHWGvJmnr3oXKBtQ/s2048/P1390415.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_0zq34RXztMjYWhLfp26fgBMk7UY6dLowx0zg9vU8VmXjEjiaKBAFY8t49CkQH1gD1m5k5930vmmN7hMgnS810xh-xVeZ4_nGOIINIxMFf56q6GQm_fuDHWGvJmnr3oXKBtQ/s320/P1390415.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzV87DnHe1GL_QzhCXhvmkY0DdRL8aUrsQG8ADqKS1tfJlQ-37U4zahO8DpLpqvlvzVt9HcvXEPoiZd9GsaTOKZFRvUHQLuJh7U74gmBpstDUCtkpRk37SJTUtXX0LTUU_lB8F/s2048/P1390421.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzV87DnHe1GL_QzhCXhvmkY0DdRL8aUrsQG8ADqKS1tfJlQ-37U4zahO8DpLpqvlvzVt9HcvXEPoiZd9GsaTOKZFRvUHQLuJh7U74gmBpstDUCtkpRk37SJTUtXX0LTUU_lB8F/s320/P1390421.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjwwRuvVChxBf3h1Xwy14_obBNi0aCzTLv_MUfSs2h-I1RFCOgeNVlC4NufyllB0LVQsiIXlsxH1GcEaY6NTuaxAPn2lwGiePdfKN51B3flzJUbHbf0JaOhYyGL_43jdNmfp-/s2048/P1390424.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjwwRuvVChxBf3h1Xwy14_obBNi0aCzTLv_MUfSs2h-I1RFCOgeNVlC4NufyllB0LVQsiIXlsxH1GcEaY6NTuaxAPn2lwGiePdfKN51B3flzJUbHbf0JaOhYyGL_43jdNmfp-/s320/P1390424.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOCRKlaVuTVJSGBaCqj6E6sO-QaatBsB4d3Rq4fwmW786RdngAQz0pGpiU7wi30v2QFLDafNLrCbjQyCbL9mUnuFPqY3wRJI7d9YjPR_nO2p78m4m6aLRwWv8FjeDOiUT7joY/s2048/P1390423.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOCRKlaVuTVJSGBaCqj6E6sO-QaatBsB4d3Rq4fwmW786RdngAQz0pGpiU7wi30v2QFLDafNLrCbjQyCbL9mUnuFPqY3wRJI7d9YjPR_nO2p78m4m6aLRwWv8FjeDOiUT7joY/s320/P1390423.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DLW_TnKJtRqhA9TJiWdsxpAbtbknh2gA4Fzu9uMs8zev8JtcgfjdGmLx2s1HCO1ZcL-HqHXJthpjKHm_dZj7b249iIngZTNTxZtT30khyqTn7ueAegEMDTnJWSNnGAT0oe-x/s2048/P1390426.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DLW_TnKJtRqhA9TJiWdsxpAbtbknh2gA4Fzu9uMs8zev8JtcgfjdGmLx2s1HCO1ZcL-HqHXJthpjKHm_dZj7b249iIngZTNTxZtT30khyqTn7ueAegEMDTnJWSNnGAT0oe-x/s320/P1390426.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9GKyS4SdN0oKcKz1lJ_x3HEIH6qaJJYuTnAR9UfSUwhA4JMJPz6t0Fxjd58lkLbOCJcR_AtSHMpEjEruEUnMeEl1L12-_pjD8hWNnWk6aaH7cnwxrS4_da9jjs9Md4T6Xffy/s2048/P1390445.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9GKyS4SdN0oKcKz1lJ_x3HEIH6qaJJYuTnAR9UfSUwhA4JMJPz6t0Fxjd58lkLbOCJcR_AtSHMpEjEruEUnMeEl1L12-_pjD8hWNnWk6aaH7cnwxrS4_da9jjs9Md4T6Xffy/s320/P1390445.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcHXApN0HNQrR7n8LOaaPazMlcTBLF968Cq-ts60yHpZZBeqUilV6EQj7hdn6bcViJBbfXlX6O3AoiyAW_aqq98XNUCZZNYyLfKOaXGTKyfkIk3j4UT56Ko3QRl25PEQDzFOT/s2048/P1390450.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcHXApN0HNQrR7n8LOaaPazMlcTBLF968Cq-ts60yHpZZBeqUilV6EQj7hdn6bcViJBbfXlX6O3AoiyAW_aqq98XNUCZZNYyLfKOaXGTKyfkIk3j4UT56Ko3QRl25PEQDzFOT/s320/P1390450.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2KraSIdYYteaXNhqoehyO56hDm-llvT3St-IlJuapgXAkBGk1PbC8MDytNNpxwUISDYYGXhKtqwHx8ppLSPTdpbwAHmTsUilHVqCVHAvcBP53pRFOKyIgmxMCxkCy-cY9pnn/s2048/P1390455.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2KraSIdYYteaXNhqoehyO56hDm-llvT3St-IlJuapgXAkBGk1PbC8MDytNNpxwUISDYYGXhKtqwHx8ppLSPTdpbwAHmTsUilHVqCVHAvcBP53pRFOKyIgmxMCxkCy-cY9pnn/s320/P1390455.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hZR21Hhrrf-Acxb9SVuMYw4VHbYMlOfNu81Nt5Hwpluy2FIgHX3-209uc2Y2-kl35qq67BJhDj6zUbomlWvi9Ply1R2X7-Fj6bB0VyXQ-QDLvnn5iw_41c_CUL3E_WQuEKu4/s2048/P1390475.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hZR21Hhrrf-Acxb9SVuMYw4VHbYMlOfNu81Nt5Hwpluy2FIgHX3-209uc2Y2-kl35qq67BJhDj6zUbomlWvi9Ply1R2X7-Fj6bB0VyXQ-QDLvnn5iw_41c_CUL3E_WQuEKu4/s320/P1390475.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nrrYUxdxOM3Y5S6Mi9aujBBO0dwqM76iSpynAv91ya_kl-K0DZBst0gvHkOlG0MPKAt1YiEB2qsyUDYBst7nUR-yCYr0ZuW75mx34MSqJ_ev1s2fRabJi2hx4eN4rMnjOtpH/s2048/P1390483.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nrrYUxdxOM3Y5S6Mi9aujBBO0dwqM76iSpynAv91ya_kl-K0DZBst0gvHkOlG0MPKAt1YiEB2qsyUDYBst7nUR-yCYr0ZuW75mx34MSqJ_ev1s2fRabJi2hx4eN4rMnjOtpH/s320/P1390483.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>It's an old cemetery, few people are buried there now (unless you already have a family plot, you can't be buried there in fact). Some headstones have been vandalized in the past, some have been placed face down by the council because they were deemed dangerous. It would be nice to see all the stones replaced in their rightful positions, but apparently that would take many years to complete. <br /></p><p>The cemetery has been neglected over the years, and is now fairly overgrown, which makes it a wonderful wildlife haven. There's a fine balance to be found between managing the area as a cemetery, while allowing nature to thrive. <br /></p><p><br /></p>Crafty Green Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17370683.post-26622806561904996222021-02-10T09:23:00.003+00:002021-02-10T09:23:22.906+00:00Snow People of Edinburgh February 2021<p> We've had a lot of snow recently and more snow people have appeared around town. These are just two of them</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDA80JdW7ZzT4wsXc7STstDXANNcUbFQEn49yOaCogjgfIrbaBCxLubdtTwJSsU6HiONho3EmQPrsbv1rxefmJPpqC3XhOMYDdRe9J0nl8iYEvsxnrgOe-JUBRSJaoTrmKiFI/s2048/P1360701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDA80JdW7ZzT4wsXc7STstDXANNcUbFQEn49yOaCogjgfIrbaBCxLubdtTwJSsU6HiONho3EmQPrsbv1rxefmJPpqC3XhOMYDdRe9J0nl8iYEvsxnrgOe-JUBRSJaoTrmKiFI/s320/P1360701.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzlIYTZ-CZWPmMCAEM5pBevvAGNjfc712sQ6fPm-Dv2sKrgoANUNhE7ZS7rMqraAYqiQfJxbf6w2mpHaeI1uY_avpfUt-n3C_QaUIcfCjtG2DhYPqMqu7E5-u7kkYgBA6clF_/s2048/P1360742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzlIYTZ-CZWPmMCAEM5pBevvAGNjfc712sQ6fPm-Dv2sKrgoANUNhE7ZS7rMqraAYqiQfJxbf6w2mpHaeI1uY_avpfUt-n3C_QaUIcfCjtG2DhYPqMqu7E5-u7kkYgBA6clF_/s320/P1360742.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>My favourite snow creations though have to be these snow cats that someone built outside the flat where the most beautiful cat in the world lives, the snow cats are looking into the window</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVUzM-l1o5nfhpRcmx9HK_IJXs5Rm-olsS4A_kMN36r8A7aKa9WU3IxobqQpHX41Y0Fd4SN4PuCcod7W4DfJCUrH0nwz-p_lNz12RMGHmL0ph9IEwkoXU-JGzQo57nC-SQzx6/s680/EsRAuhwWMAYFoIn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="680" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVUzM-l1o5nfhpRcmx9HK_IJXs5Rm-olsS4A_kMN36r8A7aKa9WU3IxobqQpHX41Y0Fd4SN4PuCcod7W4DfJCUrH0nwz-p_lNz12RMGHmL0ph9IEwkoXU-JGzQo57nC-SQzx6/s320/EsRAuhwWMAYFoIn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>though I'm not sure the cat herself is too impressed</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hvM3wro5BntnSfK_4-DyqVEmVr8yejvFMiR8cPZsgM4On2WUU7FpPcSeqccEXNL7ZKoD2xJMkhWAKVaHohNuRrEV6J2Q6ICfydk3V6KxbdQFbst7mw0Jdibc3m3xhfqAK-p2/s2048/P1340573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hvM3wro5BntnSfK_4-DyqVEmVr8yejvFMiR8cPZsgM4On2WUU7FpPcSeqccEXNL7ZKoD2xJMkhWAKVaHohNuRrEV6J2Q6ICfydk3V6KxbdQFbst7mw0Jdibc3m3xhfqAK-p2/s320/P1340573.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>You can see more snow people of Edinburgh, photographed during the last heavy snow a few weeks back, in my previous blogpost<a href="http://foundcraftygreenart.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-snow-people-of-edinburgh.html" target="_blank"> here</a>. <br /><p><br /></p>Crafty Green Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17370683.post-40503399862206952682020-12-29T15:01:00.003+00:002020-12-29T15:01:47.221+00:00The Snow People of Edinburgh<p> We had a lot of snow last night and some people have been taking the opportunity to build some snow people!! Here are just a few of them! <br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4690pwPY3iTf42ap957JYv-QHuhZedcSQfsFyDH8G5SxNanyVmUqmZWYq4mZJhyZSFfhaOSlDK8ZbIueg7OT82q9qHfkeIheSw0rdkGGLqvDjIvYsKZRzh_6Kf3_mI2SJZ7lJ/s2048/P1360248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4690pwPY3iTf42ap957JYv-QHuhZedcSQfsFyDH8G5SxNanyVmUqmZWYq4mZJhyZSFfhaOSlDK8ZbIueg7OT82q9qHfkeIheSw0rdkGGLqvDjIvYsKZRzh_6Kf3_mI2SJZ7lJ/s320/P1360248.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSM6bGIQxrXGsYJnQzhCXJ_4XovC0MTMIS1plSicwE5dZDnC7S3N8WCmRPXD-CCvOPX_EC3D62fUStzMdMtva8985vQiO5qAA1DsJM2v6-8PnVpaU_lZ47cdDDg-fTaudXVWmc/s2048/P1360250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSM6bGIQxrXGsYJnQzhCXJ_4XovC0MTMIS1plSicwE5dZDnC7S3N8WCmRPXD-CCvOPX_EC3D62fUStzMdMtva8985vQiO5qAA1DsJM2v6-8PnVpaU_lZ47cdDDg-fTaudXVWmc/s320/P1360250.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjO_ARqrXyaBGJbabfiNfunRXfy8SmYiy04-Cv8V3WINXPf7IoF2624gwVCHIxtyjcxR3_NqDgg03vPZ_921GEcIA0m1CMrZ7Uq6OSVkXcuyb0YKfSPh4zFCRo8JhhzLM7Neh/s2048/P1360273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjO_ARqrXyaBGJbabfiNfunRXfy8SmYiy04-Cv8V3WINXPf7IoF2624gwVCHIxtyjcxR3_NqDgg03vPZ_921GEcIA0m1CMrZ7Uq6OSVkXcuyb0YKfSPh4zFCRo8JhhzLM7Neh/s320/P1360273.JPG" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Crafty Green Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17370683.post-22837888367682220162020-12-22T09:12:00.003+00:002020-12-22T09:12:25.141+00:00Seasons Greetings to All My Blog Readers <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFxiQdeD1zGO9bmfYDo7kGpzTJcKqPCXiry5oeXdsG2vV0yXSQ__0i_Ng8CC3qW89ug3m-T4XDuSvL8bAK63PFfBgPXrrCbJ5K9U0OKrQEYw1tUCt8QLb8iQE0iMEElXBYAte/s320/IMG_9770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFxiQdeD1zGO9bmfYDo7kGpzTJcKqPCXiry5oeXdsG2vV0yXSQ__0i_Ng8CC3qW89ug3m-T4XDuSvL8bAK63PFfBgPXrrCbJ5K9U0OKrQEYw1tUCt8QLb8iQE0iMEElXBYAte/s0/IMG_9770.JPG" /></a></div> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Seasons Greetings </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>to all my blog readers! </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Wishing you all the best for what, for most of us, is the strangest ever festive season. </span></b><br /></p>Crafty Green Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17370683.post-76379620731304385282020-11-03T09:10:00.002+00:002020-11-03T09:10:52.701+00:00Chaos in the Mall <div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The president of the
so-called free world</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">is throwing fire
crackers round the shopping mall</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">like a toddler in a
temper tantrum who has somehow
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">got his hands on a gun.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Screams echo round the
shops and corridors</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">people cower behind
their shopping trolleys</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Muslims! Mexicans!
Terrorists!”</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">shouts the president of
the so-called free world.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I creep up behind him,
pushing my trolley</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">that is laden with
hummus and tacos.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I try to calm him down</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">but he throws a
firecracker in my face.
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">And then I wake. </span></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">**</span></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">To my readers in the USA, if you haven't voted early, please vote today. It's not my election, but this one, more than ever matters to the whole world. </span></span></i></div>
Crafty Green Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17370683.post-48582682659957605862020-09-23T09:00:00.002+00:002020-09-23T09:06:11.319+00:00Bi-Visibilty Day<p>Every year since 1999, 23 September has been <a href="http://www.bivisibilityday.com/" target="_blank">Bi-Visibility Day</a>. <br />
<br />
Here are some of the articles I found and first posted on Bi-Visibility Day a few years ago:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thenational.scot/comment/vonny-moyes-ignoring-the-b-in-lgbtqi-denies-us-our-identity.7998" target="_blank">Ignoring the B in LGBTQI denies us our identity</a> by Vonny Moyes in The National<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bustle.com/articles/132470-why-i-dont-like-being-asked-which-gender-i-prefer" target="_blank">Why I don't like being asked which gender I prefer</a> by Zachary Zane on Bustle<br />
<br />
an <a href="http://www.galop.org.uk/news/happy-bi-visibility-day-2016/" target="_blank">article on how to be a bi-ally</a> (with a nice bisexual umbrella). <br />
<br />
an <a href="https://www.nusconnect.org.uk/articles/why-bi-visibility-day-is-so-important" target="_blank">article from the National Union of Students about the importance of Bisexuality Visibility Day</a>. <br />
<br />
an older <a href="https://jazzhandsseriousbusiness.wordpress.com/2013/09/23/bisexual-visibility-day/" target="_blank">article about the need for Bisexuality Visibility Day</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bicommunitynews.co.uk/" target="_blank">Bi Community News is Britain's Bimonthly Bisexual magazine</a>. <br />
<br />
And I've been thinking about bisexual films of which there don't seem to be many, this is just off the top of my head but there's<br />
<br />
101 Rekyavik<br />
Chasing Amy<br />
Don't Look at Me That Way (which I reviewed for last year's Bi-Visibility Day <a href="https://foundcraftygreenart.blogspot.com/2017/09/dont-look-at-me-that-way-film-review.html" target="_blank">here</a>) </p><p>Treacle (which I reviewed <a href="https://foundcraftygreenart.blogspot.com/2019/08/treacle-film-review.html" target="_blank">here</a>). <br />
<br />
<br /></p>Crafty Green Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17370683.post-4208788310601246872020-09-04T07:14:00.002+00:002020-09-23T14:18:52.227+00:00The new work flexibility<p>Many organisations are talking about enabling more flexible
working as lockdown is relaxing and that’s brilliant. We don’t want to go
back to the days when most people who worked in offices were required to
be there from 9am until 6pm every week day.</p>
<p>Flexibility is great, it allows people to start earlier or finish
later to suit their preferences and responsibilities, it allows for
part time or condensed hours, it allows people to schedule medical
appointments without having to take time off in the middle of the day,
it allows people to work from home if they want, maybe every day,
perhaps once a week or perhaps while they wait for a plumber to turn up,
or for a morning if they have an afternoon meeting that’s closer to
home than it is to the office.</p>
<p>It’s also understandable that as lockdown eases, people want to work
from home as they have legitimate concerns about working in a crowded
office or taking long journeys in crowded public transport where the
‘mandatory’ rule about mask wearing isn’t enforced and therefore isn’t
obeyed.</p>
<p>As a freelancer, I work (in normal times) in a variety of places,
sometimes outdoors, sometimes indoors, but always my home is my office
base and I am used to that and happy with it (though I prefer face to
face working with students or colleagues.)</p>
<p>However, not everyone can work from home and statements about
flexible working can become virtue signalling from companies that
actually want everyone to work from home so they can save on office costs. My partner works
for an organisation that used to be very averse to flexible working,
requiring everyone to be in the office every day unless they had
meetings out of the office. Now, however, the same organisation seem to want to
push everyone to work from home all the time. My partner however is
looking forward to returning to the office and we don’t have enough
space in the flat to both work comfortably at home full time.</p>
<p>This new commitment to flexibility is tied to the organisation’s desire to cut costs and doesn’t necessarily help employees:</p>
<p>1. Some people’s homes aren’t ideal for working in:</p>
<p>You may be sitting at the kitchen table with a laptop balanced on top
of a cardboard box or on the sofa with your laptop on your knees. You
may be trying to balance working with educating your children. You may
be trying to do your job in one corner of the room, while your partner
is trying to do their job in the other corner of the room.</p>
<p>2. It’s important to realise too that working in an office does have benefits:</p>
<p>a) the ability to interact with colleagues more effectively, it allows
for conversations in passing, whether that’s a nice social break or an
interesting insight into a work project. It allows for the development
of a corporate culture (for good or bad!) and effective team working.</p>
<p>b) an effective separation between work and home, which many people find really valuable, if the commute isn’t too long.</p>
<p>Yes, there are times when video conferences are very useful (if
people are scattered geographically) but for many people they are more
tiring and less effective than face to face meetings.</p><p>It's also worth considering that the much vaunted environmental benefits of mass home working aren't as clear cut as many commentators seem to think. Yes, if everyone worked from home then there would be fewer vehicles on the roads and less air pollution and less fuel used. However, if everyone's working from home then it's likely that everyone will be given their own printer/scanner/photocopier rather than sharing the office equipment and lots of individual homes will likely be lit up and heated or air conditioned all day rather than just the offices. <br /></p>
<p>As we move into the new normal that lies beyond the COVID_19 pandemic
we need to offer better working conditions to everyone and that means
that flexible working should allow employees to work as they want to, as
long as they are able to do the job they are paid to do. So it should
be equally fine for people who can’t or don’t want to be in the office
to work from home with good video links to their colleagues, but it
should also be fine for people to work in the office except for the
occasional bit of homeworking if they need to wait in for a plumber.
Plus, people should be supported in their choices, whether that’s by
supplying them with the required technology to effectively do their job
from home or by ensuring that the office is a safe place to work –
regularly deep cleaned and provided with the necessary protective
equipment, good ventilation and social distancing.</p><p> **</p><p>A version of this article first appeared <a href="http://pendemic.ie/who-will-benefit-from-the-post-lockdown-flexible-working-an-essay-by-juliet-wilson/#comment-2258" target="_blank">here</a> on Pendemic. </p><p>The Guardian newspaper has a selection of articles on <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/working-from-home" target="_blank">working from home</a>. <br /></p>Crafty Green Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486633917197181851noreply@blogger.com0