This is by way of a reblog from John Spiers, whose posts don't have a 'Reblog' button. Click this link for the post from his blog mylifewithgracie.com which gives links to two websites: one to assess your poems and another to assess your song lyrics. As those who follow my poetic efforts will be aware, … Continue reading But is it Poetry? (2)
Category: My Writing
Under My Feet
(To the tune of Under My Thumb by the Rolling Stones, 1966) Under my feet, this little dog gets in the way. Under my feet. Why won’t she get lost when I say? She’s hounding me, while waiting for a crumb to slip, Hounding me, brown eyes entreat. She’s under my feet. Under my feet. … Continue reading Under My Feet
Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #6
A personal history Moving On In the new post, I was back with my old team, albeit in a more exalted role. The branch was now operating out of a couple of portacabins on a patch of wasteland while a new civic complex was under construction on the old site. As well as a much … Continue reading Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #6
Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #5
A personal history Qualified Success Library school was part of a technical college which has since been promoted to a University along with a swathe of others in the 1990’s. To get there from the parental home, I drove through or around London, or was carried beneath it. All routes, including London Underground, took roughly … Continue reading Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #5
Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #4
A personal history Central Ops After Easter, someone remembered I was meant to be experiencing other library departments and I had a last-minute tour of Central Lending, Central Ref, Admin and Accessions, spending two weeks in each. Central lending library was located in a Victorian building which also housed the Town Hall. Administrative departments had … Continue reading Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #4
Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #3
A Personal History The Workroom Everyone would hope to spend some time in the workroom during the day. The first workroom task of the morning was to write out reader tickets for the previous day's new borrowers and those whose tickets had expired. The book-card-in-ticket arrangement then in use is known as the ‘Brown’ issuing … Continue reading Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #3
Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #2
A Personal History Work Experience The intention for my work experience year was that I would circulate around departments and branches to get an overview of the service. I think, though, that once my college place was secured, they heaved a sigh of relief and forgot about me. Opening hours for the borough's full-time branches … Continue reading Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #2
Pond People of your very own
https://read.amazon.co.uk/kp/embed?asin=B08NZV2SS2&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_mZE9FbN4VXQE4 The revised Pond People is now available in print and as e-book with the added bonus of a gorgeous cover from John Spiers, writer and artist of My Life with Gracie. Find it on Amazon (preview above) and on Smashwords. Photo by Tairon Fernandez on Pexels.com Here's to a Hopeful New Year.
Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #1
A personal history I am at a loss for something to write about while avoiding New Year resolutions, lockdown, or another recap of 2020 (all covered more eloquently by fellow bloggers). I will instead be recapping UK public libraries in the nineteen-seventies, based on my article published in Best of British magazine, August 2018, having … Continue reading Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #1
The Network
A Story The network wasn’t fast but it served their purposes. Alerts were circulated and action co-ordinated, while underground supply lines sustained the sick or starving. To an onlooker they might seem inactive, but as they stretched to soak up the spring sunshine the network was crackling beneath them. Now news of an attack came … Continue reading The Network
