Deep Concentration – until Things went Pear-shaped

Posted on by Dr Karen E McAulay

I’ve been extraordinarily busy. Today (a ‘retirement’ day), I’ve put in a full day’s proofreading and indexing work, topped by an evening stint. I have an imminent deadline!

Not a problem  – but things went a bit awry this evening.  Sorry, I have no words of wisdom today, just a reflective poem of sorts! You could almost say it’s Kailyard style. (‘Kale yard’ is a homely form of Scottish literature from an earlier era. It’s not high art.)

I checked my proofs (I went through twice), and tweaked what needed tweaking.  My husband cooked the dinner (yay!); our son refrained from speaking.

I laboured hard at indexing, with one ear on the gate – the Sainsbury’s van was imminent; I hoped he’d not be late.

A rattled bolt – I shot outside to greet my “daily bread”, but to my horror, there I faced a lanky Glasgow ‘ned’.

The Author yelled – the Ned jumped back, then leapt up on the wall.  He AND his mates seemed pure gob-smacked – thank God they didn’t fall.

I used some words not in my book, then fled back safe inside. The ‘Polis’ were awaiting, but no Neds achieved a ride.

The Sainsbury’s man turned up at last – I put the stuff away. Then back to indexing again  – oh, what a fun-filled day!

  • Thistle ‘vibe’  – local. 
  • AI intruder image from Pixabay. My visiting Ned was probably 6 ft, but not nearly so impressive!

This was the Countdown to the New Me

Posted on by Dr Karen E McAulay

Okay, I promised I would be more forward-looking, now that I’m no longer a librarian. I’m not going back on my word, but I just wanted to share the stitched countdown project that I have completed over the past three years. My purpose was to count down the weeks until I would retire from librarianship. To that end, I sewed one square a week, and joined them up to make three panels for the folding screen that lives beside my desk. Sometimes they’re topical, sometimes reflective, and sometimes (when I got behind with myself), it’s just a number. (Those were at least good practice at sewing satin stitch. I only really took up embroidery during the pandemic lockdown – I’m not an expert.)

3-panel screen displaying the stitched countdown squares. Background: a garden hedge.
Stitched Countdown – a square a week over three years

I finished neatening off the panels today, and took the screen outside to take a photo.

Then I came back indoors and checked my emails. To my delight, I’ve been sent the copy-edited version of my book manuscript. So yes, looking forward, I foresee a busy week checking it all and making any corrections! Semi-retired? I think we’ll forget about that until the manuscript is returned to my editor!