All the (Olympic) Bells
The Olympics are coming! Sure. You are skeptical of my enthusiasm. I get it. There has been much criticism, confusion and downright buffoonery in the lead up the games. I mean, a rights monopoly on all potato-based sticks in the area is a very odd battle ground no matter where you live. And drivers getting … Continue reading
Things I Love
It’s raining cats and dogs. Again. They say it’s the worst summer on record (and the Queen’s Garden Party was definitely a damp squib). The wet weather has drowned a large portion of puffin hatchlings, wiped out the breeding season for the already struggling butterfly population, and hit farmers hard. The season of bounty this … Continue reading
I Capture the Castle
This is one of those books I’ve always meant to read. Working in a children’s bookshop once upon a time, it was a go-to favourite for many of my colleagues. In the world of British kids lit it’s legendary, and I believe it is the sort of coming-of-age novel that’s as valuable and valid at … Continue reading
The Bolshoi Ballet : Raymonda
Last week, I saw the Bolshoi Ballet. Alas, I was not in Moscow, though I’d have loved to see the theatre’s resplendent renovation in person. (You can watch a video about the refurb and get a sneak peek of the venue here. Hint: gold foil mixed with vodka!) Instead, I trekked to my local indy … Continue reading
Business, the Sara Grady way
I recently went out to lunch with one of my favourite clients. They are interesting, clever people who think creatively and dream big; an excellent mix for working relationships and delightful luncheons. It was ostensibly a debrief and wrap-up of our last collaboration, and (other than good company) they furnished me with two delightful things. … Continue reading
Serendipity
Today I do not want to be chained to my laptop. I definitely don’t want to be sitting in my cold, damp, North-facing front room to work on budgets and research proposals. I want sunshine and laughter and a day off. But work is work, and deadlines are deadlines, so, I create a makeshift desk from … Continue reading
Letters of Note
Can I just stop a minute on this crazy whirligig we call life? Because there is something about which you should know. It is called Letters of Note. It is full of wonderful transcriptions and facsimiles of real letters sent by real people, but now published out in the digital ether for our enjoyment and … Continue reading
Platters of wholesome goodness
It is a bright, stormy day and my head is full of heavy things. And while I want to believe being all grown-up, facing these things head on, and standing up for what I believe in will always turn out for the best, I need a mini-hiatus. The kind made of toasted crumpets and fuzzy … Continue reading
The Gardens
The garden is absolutely the best thing about our house. It’s a shared garden – a football shaped greenspace created in the hollow between two concave crescent roads, accessible by application to the inimitable (and slightly absurd) Garden Committee. I’d much prefer a backyard of my own, but in this city I’m willing to take … Continue reading
Que Sera Sara? 