Robin Lloyd-Jones, Project Manager at Autumn Voices, recommends: What Dementia Teaches Us About Love by Nicci Gerrard (Allen Lane, 2019) This book grew out of the death of Nicci Gerrard’s father from dementia and her belief that the disease and its impact on individuals, families and the wider world needs light shed upon it to … Continue reading Robin’s Jolabokablog
Dear Orlando, I write in the hope you can help me to understand a problem I’ve been having for years. Every year, at this time of year, all sorts of strange things happen. The postie – who I’m not allowed to chase – arrives at the door practically every day bringing all sorts of parcels … Continue reading Help! Too many parcels
Patti Landmann was the winner of our 2021 Autumn Voices Spring Short Story Competition, and we’re delighted to see her back here talking about her creative seasonal crafting and showing us some of the fantastic things she’s made. Hello Autumn Voices Community! I’m Patti Landmann to my friends, but Patricia Landmann officially for my 81 … Continue reading A wonderful Wisconsin woodcarver
Christmas Tiffin (vegan) 500g of crushed biscuits (300g of oatie type biscuits, 200g of digestive biscuits) 30g of cocoa powder 150g of dairy-free spread 75g of syrup 225g of dried fruit mix infused with brandy (I buy mine from Aldi or Lidl but you could equally soak the dried fruit in some brandy yourself) 1tbsp … Continue reading Christmas Tiffin from Reading Lasses
Tell us 4 important facts about yourself: I’ve never had a career, but I’ve had over 100 jobs. I’ve moved house 39 times. I’m the fourth of six siblings, and there are only three of us left now. I write, play the ukulele, sing in a choir, and read the news on the Radio Station … Continue reading Quick & Quirky Questions with Lesley P Lyon
Flora Fleming has worked with the Ayrshire branch of the Cat Action Trust for years, and first introduced Orlando to Sallie and Robin. Dear Orlando, Flora here. I don’t think you remember when you and I first met, so I’ll give you a few clues: lots and lots of cats and kittens, almost every one … Continue reading Capturing Orlando
About Leslie Knitting is easy. All you need are two pointy sticks (needles), some yarn (wool usually), and you’re away. There are only two basic stitches – plain and purl – and all patterns are a variation of these two simple stitches. The texture of your knitting project depends on the size of the needles … Continue reading Knitting is easy!
Beef & Ale Winter Stew Serves 4 3 tbsp of sunflower oil 2 large, chopped onions 2 cloves of garlic (crushed) 1kg of diced beef 3 rashers of smoked bacon with the rind removed, cut into strips 1 tbsp of plain flour 500g of passata 400ml of beef stock 150ml of dark ale (e.g., Orkney … Continue reading Winter stew for winter you
Throughout November we asked you to send in flash submissions on the topic of War & Remembrance. We received many lovely entries, but the favourite amongst the team was “Norman’s War” by Glyn Matthews, aged 69. He’s the recipient of prize, “Codebreaking Sisters”, which was kindly donated to us by Mirror Books. Norman’s War In … Continue reading War & Remembrance – Winning Entry
Tell us 4 important facts about yourself: I’m only 4’ 11’’ and bang my bottom on the kerb if I’m not careful. I have to stand on a box to reach the wine glasses. I once shared a dressing room with Julie Christie. I have been married for a long time, but not always to … Continue reading Quick & Quirky Questions with Chrys Salt MBE
Dear Orlando, My totally unimaginative human feeds me tinned chicken literally every day and I’m utterly sick of it. Don’t get me wrong – I’m pawsitively grateful to be fed as I’m far too lazy to hunt these days and it’s slim pickings round where I live anyway. There are too many other cats in … Continue reading What on earth is a chicken?
Our theme for December is ‘a bit of coorie and hygge’, which frankly we all need at the moment after being thoroughly launched into winter with torrential rain and flooding, then blown away in Storm Arwen and pelted with snow! It’s definitely time to stay warm and cosy, and in our online content this month … Continue reading A recipe for heaven
Tell us 4 important facts about yourself: I am Scottish I practise Yoga I live in the countryside in Norfolk I worked as a teacher and in Public Health What is your favourite age that you’ve been so far in life, and why? I’ve enjoyed every age for different reasons. Right now, in my mid-sixties, … Continue reading Quick & Quirky Questions with Adele Godsmark
This week, our esteemed Online With Orlando caricaturist, Louis Dunn, shows Orlando his twelve cats. That’s right, TWELVE! They are all siblings, so thankfully have very few spats – even at chow time. Their mother, Inky, was feral, and kept having kittens beneath the deck at Louis’ house. He was eventually able to catch her and … Continue reading A Dozen Cats
How is it possible to love someone so much and yet to know so little about them? So asks Fredrik Backman in his book My Grandmother Sends her Regards and Apologises. It’s a question that has popped into my head many times over the last few months – particularly since joining the Devils’ Porridge research … Continue reading Flora Makes the Devil’s Porridge
