My Open University degree was in maths and sciences – several different sciences. I then worked for fifteen years in geology, and another fifteen years in botany, with my part-time Strathclyde doctorate being in information science. So, I can’t say anything about sleep with any degree of scientific authority. What I’ve learned about the science … Continue reading Sleep Patterns
Renita has kindly offered us some of her bedtime stories to help us nod off to sleep this month. She normally reads them to young children, but we think bedtime stories are for everyone, so either share this with someone to help them fall asleep or keep it all to yourself! As a preface to … Continue reading Another Bedtime Story
Tell us 4 important facts about yourself: I recognise my good fortune to have a large family, husband, children, grandchildren, sisters and brothers etc. I’m pleased to have written and edited poetry over the years, but not pleased with my slower output in recent years. I’m proud to be Scottish, lucky to be born here … Continue reading Quick & Quirky Questions with Liz Niven
If you haven’t already, read the blog post by Diana Hendry which this is a reply too. This is Beloved speaking, from my snug, snory, comfy cabin under the eaves, where I spend each night in an effort to provide Sweetcheeks (and myself) some chance of some sleep. We always begin each bedtime together in … Continue reading Sleep – Beloved Replies
Renita has kindly offered us some of her bedtime stories to help us nod off to sleep this month. She normally reads them to young children, but we think bedtime stories are for everyone, so either share this with someone to help them fall asleep or keep it all to yourself! As a preface to … Continue reading Renita’s Bedtime Story
Tell us 4 important facts about yourself: I enjoy keeping active and healthy (scuba diving, walking, cycling, gym etc). I enjoy all things cultural – pandemics permitting (art exhibitions, London Review of Books, history / art documentaries, music, reading AND of course writing.) I’m responding to my children’s increasing concern about the planet and where … Continue reading Quick & Quirky Questions with Mark Daws
Last night was a bad one. In bed by eleven, still awake at two. Try reading. Try stomping around. Try paracetamol. Wake Beloved who is snoring sweetly in the spare room, for one of those wee-small-hours conversations about the state of the world/my life. Sleep three until six. Hope Radio 4 might give me another … Continue reading Sleep
A Haiku Journal Trilogy: Gap in the Promenade Wall A week before my 80th birthday I took a walk along the Helensburgh promenade – a walk I often do. There is a gap in the sea wall where stone steps lead down to the shore. I would tell myself, ‘One day I will jump across … Continue reading Haiku Journal – 12
Tell us 4 important facts about yourself: I’m a survivor. I speak out against injustice whenever it is safe to do so. I’ve been a follower of international affairs since the age of 16 and have travelled the globe (I speak 4 languages). I admit when I am wrong. Sorry isn’t the hardest word. What … Continue reading Quick & Quirky Questions with Angelena Boden
Eleanor Livingstone is a Scottish poet and editor who lives in Fife. She was Festival Director of StAnza, Scotland’s International Poetry Festival from 2010 to March 2021, after five years as the festival’s Artistic Director. This year StAnza was voted Best Literary Festival in the UK Saboteur Awards. Before StAnza Eleanor worked as a paralegal … Continue reading Relaxing
Our modern world is very stressful, and we make it more so by valuing busyness and ‘doing’. We are bombarded by subtle and not-so-subtle messages that the harder we work, the more we do, the more we own, the better. We need to remember sometimes that the world is like this because we made it … Continue reading John Burns on Relaxation
61-year-old Lee Randall is a freelance writer, presenter and festival programmer. She can be found on Twitter as @randallwrites. I am a champion relaxer. Except when I’m not. I love sitting still. I will sit on a sofa; I will sit in a bed; I will sit on a barstool blethering away; I will sit … Continue reading Champion relaxer
What is your favourite age that you’ve been so far in life, and why? Now. It always has been. Who is your favourite fictional character or famous person over 60? Cosmo Saltana (JB Priestley: The Image Men). I don’t know his exact age, but I’ve always envisaged him to be in his early sixties. You … Continue reading Quick & Quirky Questions with Mike Smith
After you’re done reading we’d love for you to leave a comment at the bottom of the page, like this post on Facebook, or retweet it on Twitter. It really helps more people discover our work! During an early morning trawl through new emails in my various accounts, I was intrigued to find an interesting … Continue reading Relaxation
Whether you’ve got a large garden with a greenhouse or a third-floor flat with a window box, growing your own food can combine better nutrition with a healthy and absorbing hobby. I’ve always been the cook in our family, and my wife’s always been the gardener. When we first came to the Scottish Highlands back … Continue reading Grow your own
