Monthly Archives: January 2012

River of Stones, last day

 Unaccustomed de-populated supermarket. Virgin black rubber, smooth, empty.  Checkout girl almost asleep. My fewer than ten items flash past the scanner and I’m out, back into the icy world, the fear of which kept so many people indoors today. January’s River … Continue reading

Posted in life writing, prose | 3 Comments

Apology

I was given a big translation job this evening, of a long academic study into French. -  I wouldn’t normally accept, as the rule is translate INTO your mother tongue only.  But it’s for a good friend, so I had to say yes.  … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 9 Comments

River of Stones 30

White raindrops  tumble from a grey blanket, hit the ground and disappear.  It is trying unsuccessfully to snow. Other small stones are at http://www.writingourwayhome.com/

Posted in prose | Tagged | 2 Comments

Wordle 29.1.12

Cycle Freshly turned in spring, the earth at my feet is rich and ready. Summer in serenity is born afresh to waken seeds to rampant growth. The flame of autumn ripens fruit, replenishes stores for coming hardship. Precognition fails to … Continue reading

Posted in Poems | Tagged , | 17 Comments

river of stones 29

Waking to a clear pink sky, the mist crept up the valley to make a  translucent white wall behind the willow tree, with a streak of clear blue above.  

Posted in prose | 3 Comments

Marmalade again for I Saw Sunday

Last time, I promise!  Since Thursday, when I found Seville oranges in our Leclerc supermarket,   I seem to have been obsessed with Marmalade.  Various stages are already detailed at http://vivinfrance.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/river-of-stones-27/ and http://vivinfrance.wordpress.com/2012/01/28/6-word-saturday-16/  Today saw the culmination with 14 pots of the perfect … Continue reading

Posted in food, life writing | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

River of Stones 28

Settled high by day smoothly segues to crimson January bows out   Other small stones are at http://www.writingourwayhome.com  also for the Haiku Heights prompt Crimson at http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HaikuHeights/~3/tuG_RBLKFn8/haiku-heights-prompt-104-crimson.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email

Posted in short poetry | Tagged | 1 Comment

pepper sauce for Tilly

Tilly at http://thelaughinghousewife.wordpress.com/ asked for my pepper sauce recipe, so I reckoned it was better posted here, where I’ll be able to find it again (I made it out of my own head, as Jock would say) One large red pepper, … Continue reading

Posted in food | 5 Comments

6-word Saturday

Marmalade making time is here again with the customary sore wrist from cutting up 3 kilos of Seville oranges, plus grapefruit and lemons, for my three fruit marmalade.  Last year I burned it,  on my jet-propelled induction hob, so last night I cooked the … Continue reading

Posted in food, life writing | Tagged , | 14 Comments

River of Stones 27

All senses feasted preparing Seville oranges  - the multiplicity of pips, the zing of chopping lemons, perfumed droplets in the air to sting my eyes in readiness for the bubbling boil of a year’s supply of marmalade. I can’t think where January … Continue reading

Posted in short poetry | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

New rant up

at http://vivnada.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/bankers-bonus-i-cry-foul/

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River of Stones 26

The difference wrought by a blink of sunshine in winter is to make of a dreary grey landscape a joyful pledge.

Posted in Poems, short poetry | 3 Comments

If a Tree Falls…

If a Tree Falls… Does the far off Indian Ocean still sparkle behind a fringe of casuarina trees? Does the surf still roar against the reef? Does frangipanni scent the air with heaven When I’m no longer there? Is that little … Continue reading

Posted in free verse, longer poems, Poems | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

If the Boy Could See the Man

Scene 1 – bike sheds behind a comprehensive school. a group of early teen boys are having a smoke and chewing the fat.   BOY:  You know what’s the first thing visitors always say, after (puts on a silly voice)  ‘My how … Continue reading

Posted in fiction | 6 Comments

River of Stones 25

Nearly half a century ago today a proud mum welcomed a new baby daughter, of whom she’s  just as proud today. Two hundred and fifty-three years ago today a humble labouring lad was born, to leave a glorious legacy of poetry … Continue reading

Posted in Poems | 5 Comments