odespinner

  • ,

    Chiff chaff

    Published by

    odespinner

    on

    On a visit to the Ulster Museum I had a look in the gift shop. There was a shelf full of cuddly birds and if you pushed a spot on their backs it played the sound that particular bird made. I opted for the chiff chaff. Now I delight in…

    Continue reading →: Chiff chaff

  • Wildness

    Published by

    odespinner

    on

    We are doing our bit to encourage bees and other insects to feast on our wild flowers. The thistles, buttercups, nettles and so on are thriving. We have spotted bees and flies and the odd butterfly but there has been too much rain of late to promote aerial manoeuvres. The…

    Continue reading →: Wildness

  • Going green

    Published by

    odespinner

    on

    Our semi-detached 3 bedroomed house was built at the end of the 1960s. We moved in 22 years ago and have made no improvements in all that time. Now we have the money to make the property as energy efficient as possible. We will be replacing the oil fired heating…

    Continue reading →: Going green

  • Pedicure

    Published by

    odespinner

    on

    My brother and family kindly gifted me a pedicure in a local Spa treatment centre. I had put off the treatment for over a year during lockdown and the height of virus infections. I decided to use the gift voucher on my recent birthday. It was a very enjoyable experience…

    Continue reading →: Pedicure

  • Bravery

    Published by

    odespinner

    on

    I have known one or two individuals who, when confronted with their own impending death, have reacted with amazing fortitude. My mother had heart problems, cancer, breathing difficulty and an incredibly positive attitude. When hospitalised for the final time, aged 90, she enjoyed her food and wondered if she should…

    Continue reading →: Bravery

  • Feel good or not?

    Published by

    odespinner

    on

    There is a genre of literature that aims to raise the reader’s spirits – feel good. I have not consciously read any, but I am acquainted with a Norwegian writer of this genre. Her books sell well and have been translated into several languages. Many writers don’t pitch their stories…

    Continue reading →: Feel good or not?

  • Life is not a marathon…

    Published by

    odespinner

    on

    Don’t you hate sentences that begin ‘life is…’? Having said that, occasionally I get a bit philosophical. Longevity is not everyone’s chief ambition, and quality of life seems to be more important. In my senior years I am attracted to a gentler pace, or power assisted if we are talking…

    Continue reading →: Life is not a marathon…

  • The Felons

    Published by

    odespinner

    on

    This bar in West Belfast is situated on the site of an Orange Hall. It has had a fantastic makeover and provides a superb venue for family events. There are paintings that depict subjects such as the famine ships, the Bloody Sunday massacre and the following poem by hunger striker,…

    Continue reading →: The Felons
  • ,

    Follow Me

    Published by

    odespinner

    on

    My parents had an eclectic mix of vinyl records, 45s, 78s and 33s. Django Reinhardt, Stephan Grappelli, Acker Bilk, Elgar, Beethoven, Flanders and Swann were a few of their records that I can remember. I really liked the song below another from their collection. When I was a little wolf…

    Continue reading →: Follow Me

  • Bigotry and hatred

    Published by

    odespinner

    on

    We are not unique in this part of the world for displays of vile behaviour. The recent film of a crowd of men singing a song mocking the murdered newlywed, Michaela McAreavey is a new low in sectarianism. Divided society or not, we all have a responsibility to our fellow…

    Continue reading →: Bigotry and hatred

    Recent posts