Hammer and Pliers (not habitual Research Tools)

Posted on by Dr Karen E McAulay
Song Gems (Scots) embossed song book cover, gold on olive green

The morning started well. I was so early arriving at the dentist that the receptionist made me a coffee, and I was back off the bus in Govan, five minutes after my Partick appointment should have started. (Don’t worry – no hammer or pliers were needed there. I just had a filling replaced. The nougat my son bought me had a lot to answer for!)

With more morning left than I anticipated, I turned to look at the proofs of my article about the Song Gems (Scots). Tweaking the abstract (still no hammer or pliers in sight), I decided I ought to look at the cover again, before using the word ‘beneath’. But there was a problem …

No Song Gems (Scots), my much-loved pride and joy.

I blamed my boxing-up and un-boxings occasioned by the rewire and redecorating projects, but only I could be blamed – no-one else was permitted near my precious research materials. Whilst I was still in a state of panic, I moved the duet piano stool to get better access to the bookshelf.

The bottom fell out of my world. Or, more correctly, out of the duet piano stool. Did I say I had time in hand? The hammer and pliers are easily accessible, but the tool-box containing nails is far less so.

The regular piano music is now back IN the piano stool; the tool-box is back under the stairs; and the prodigal Song Gems (Scots) has been found hiding in a pile of equally big, heavy books that are too tall for the allocated bookshelf. Proofs have been read, a bio written and the abstract perfected.

I could not use the word, ‘beneath’. Good thing I checked!

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!