JUNE SUMMARY: SCOTTISH DICTIONARIES NOW CATALOGUED

It's the last day of June.  When the weather is fine I am outside...see photos in second half below.  When it is wet I catalogue books.

[1] Iseabail's Books from her library.  I have now catalogued them all.  They are dictionaries: mainly related to the Scots language.  They are big, they are heavy and are sitting in my living room while we find a home for them. (I have the list available as a pdf file but I don't know how to put it here!)

[2] A thing of beauty is a new handle on a garden fork.  Mr Fraser Robb, Drymen, who sells agriculatural products did a magnificent job keeping my Clyde-built handle and giving it is new wooden handle one metre long.  

It's a 'ladies fork' and is irreplaceable.  (Thank you, but 'No' I do not want to buy an new one even if it is cheaper.)

[3] I have now grouted the front steps of the house.  It has taken me 2 years and 2 hours (after going on UTube) to do the job. The reason I was spurred into action was that a knight in shining armour called Iain Stewart and his mate arrived to clean the sides of the house and, while they were at it, they cleaned the front horizontal 'porch' plus the steps. Two fellows with the right kit (chemicals plus hot water and detergent) did a magnificant job. So I have decided: no more scrubbing with the deck brush!  (I got his name from Mairi and wish I had got moving on this sooner!)

[4] Happiness is a neatly stacked woodpile.  Job done.  Lomond Logs, Croftamie, delivered a 'bulk bag' (one metre cubed) of birch. Birch!...you never see it in this part of the world.  And it is all kiln dried.  

Two neighbourhold lads with a Can-Do attitude carried the split logs from the front driveway up to the back of the garage and I stacked it.  Done and dusted in less than an hour...and all ready for winter.  (What am I saying?!  I can just as often light a fire in July as January!)

 

COCKWOMBLE

When Alastair visited us recently we spent time discussing what to do with Iain’s sister’s collection of dictionaries which he ‘inherited’ after her death 7 years ago. They sit in my bookcase as I have been meaning to catalogue them (we need to find a home for them) but, I confess, I have been dragging my feet

I got a kick-start today! John Scott in Calgary sent me this ‘new word’ which doesn't appear to be ... but really should be ... in the Scots Dictionary (which was so much a part of Auntie Iseabail’s life). 

27 May, 1939 - 15 February, 2018

GRANDMA GETS READING No 2

Here are more books that Ishie has passed my way.  She is 12 years old and has an astonishing reading appetite!

[Source is https://www.goodreads.com]

[Source is http://www.betterreading.com.au

* * * * *  AND THESE ONES I CHOSE MYSELF * * * * * 

I heard this lady speak when were in Orkney.  This is the story of her life; she was brought up in a closed Christian sect in the UK.

As the cover says it is a "powerful exploration of the fault-lines between faith and doubt, duty and love."

I found it so refreshing to read a story which was well written.; it reminded me of Jeanette Winterston.

Lastly for that feel-good factor I never tire of Alexander McCall Smith. His characters are always dealing with topics to do with 'virtue' ... to be exact:

"...[ being a] trait or quality that is deemed to be morally good and thus is valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being. In other words, it is a behavior that shows high moral standards. Doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong." [Wikipedia]

I feel this is certainly a Lost Art!  This book is more about the comings and goings of the Edinburgh characters with not too much development on this Lost Art of Gratitude... but an enjoyable, easy read for all that.

And lastly: His book 44 Scotland Street is a Classic in our household.  Auntie Iseabail (who died nearly 2 years ago) lived in Scotland Street in Edinburgh's New Town (i.e. Georgian, being 200 years old).  

The stories in this book started as a serial in The Scotsman, starting 26 January 2004, every weekday, for six months. The book retains the 109 short chapters of the original and is the first book in the series. The series has 12 books, as of Dec 2017.

The stories revolve around the comings and goings at No. 44 Scotland Street, a fictitious building in the street.

McCall Smith approached Iseabail some years ago asking if he could include her in his writing. She said that she was Ok with that.   I have tried to find the page but I could not; must be in one of the others in the series.  We have the newspaper page mounted in a frame with the date on it.  Watch this space.

FAMILY NEWS: FINAL UPDATE

Iseabail died peacefully this morning after suffering a stroke 3 weeks ago.

Travelling through from Glasgow the family and friends have been visiting.  Friends, of which she has many in the Edinburgh area, visited regularly.

Her loss will be felt by those whose lives she touched. As we move on now and undertake the preparation for her funeral we are, at this precise moment in time, very aware of the care she has been given over the last 3 weeks.

Again, I say, "Let's hear it for our National Health Service!"  Yes, we pay for it in our taxes but, I wish to state here and now that "The 'system' worked".  Ambulance crew attended when neighbours requested. She was taken immediately to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and has been cared for in the Stroke Unit these past 3 weeks. We have nothing but the highest praise for all staff: medical, nursing, clerical.

 

The Book* Is Now Closed 

* Two of Iseabail's many....