Mention metamorphosis and two contrasting ideas flit into my mind. On the Humanities side there’s Kafka’s story of Gregor Samsa waking up to find himself a beetle, and Ovid with his tales of Greek legends. In contrast, amongst the Science stacks of the L-space in my brain, I recall Lepidoptera and Amphibians. All are to do with transformation. What influence has metamorphosis had on stories?
Can I tempt you?
Lent is traditionally a time for giving up things – say, chocolate, wine or meat. This year, I felt the need for something else to abstain from. Something to which I have a rather ambiguous relationship. Continue reading
I am having a Lenten break from social media at the moment – but just as I closed my apps on Shrove Tuesday, I noted a thread on audiences at school being segregated by gender. I goggled at the concept of saying only girls could attend a female writer – or vice versa. Those of you who know me or my blog posts can imagine my reaction to that… Continue reading
Tonight I attend ‘More of Me’ Book Launch II for my dear friend Kathryn Evans – a special for the inhabitants of Chichester and its hinterland. If I have time after I return from the dentists in the afternoon, I shall wear an outrageous green dress. I have heard that green dresses are unlucky – green being the colour of the fair folk – but I have no wish to bring ill-fortune to my colleague. Rather a dusting of lucky fairy dust…
Cover design by Hannah Cobley at Usborne
Tiger in a Tropical Storm (Surprised) by Henri Rousseau
You’re welcome in the Beautiful Jungle – but do expect a few surprises along your way… Continue reading
Oliver Cromwell by Samuel Cooper
Apparently, an interregnum is the period between two reigns. In English History, it can refer to the time between Charles I ‘s execution and the arrival of Charles II, whilst we had a Republic (30 January 1649 – 29 May 1660)
Metaphorically, it can mean any suspension of government from the end of one regime to the beginning of another. I rather feel I am in one… Continue reading
What’s Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba,
That he should weep for her?Hamlet, Act II sc ii Shakespeare
Why does the death of someone I did not know reduce me to tears? Continue reading
Most people would agree that Frank Sinatra had a wonderful voice. Think of ‘Strangers in the Night ‘ with its lush romance or ‘New York, New York!’ – so full of life. He was stylish and popular for at least five decades. But would you want him as a friend? Or could you see him as a hero? Continue reading
The Muse gets a bad press:
I wish everyone the Christmas/ Solstice/ Hanukkah or just plain break they need. Have a bit of Yorkshire joyfulness to tide you on while the New Year!
