Miss Barbellion’s Garden: a book review of a modern classic
Having read this book I’ve had to update my fantasy dinner party list to include Miss Nancy Barbellion. In fact she would be welcome at the cottage anytime. Miss Barbellion is a lesson to anyone who equates old age with uselessness. At 71 she is circumspect, punchy and kind. Miss Barbellion inherits her rambling family home in Bath, England and returns from a lifetime working in distant lands from China to India. She links up with old friends – that she hasn’t seen for twenty years. Despite being an avid letter writer she has still not...
read moreBook review: TERCster – the new word for entrepreneur
It’s not every day that someone introduces a brand new word into the English language. ‘Entrepreneur’ is French and the earliest records of it being used in the English language date from the early 1700s but there is not one single agreed definition of what it means exactly. This is the 300 year old issue that businessman Harry J Mitchell set out to resolve for once and for all. He proposes a logical formula that measures somebody’s Time learning the ropes, their Experience at a specific activity that is relevant to a new business, the...
read moreThe snow dog
Do you remember that I mentioned that I was selling my vast lead toy collection? We suddenly needed to raise money fast on a monthly basis to repay an outstanding debt. And we did it, working together, we paid off that debt over the five month designated period. I can’t tell you the relief when I finally paid the last instalment in early December. We were free! I am continuing to sell my collection – it is very large – but I’m buying as well. Adding to my core collection and selling on the other pieces. I’ve discovered that I enjoy...
read moreThank you. And a few thoughts on love.
I just wanted to thank every reader for checking out my last two posts. Readers are essential life blood for a blog. They keep a bloggers heart pumping. I also need to thank all the readers who have made a comment on my last two posts. Initially I tried to answer each one but I quickly realised that I was getting out of my depth. I just had too much going on to give decent replies. Many apologies. You comments have been a godsend. They make me think, give me courage and hope. And they often make me cry. Your thoughts and genuine goodwill have...
read moreFirst new steps
Danny has been back for a few days to sift through his stuff. It’s always good to see him. He brings me tea and perches on the end of my bed and we chat about our old points of contact on the Internet. The CSH forum, the blog and eBay. At the end of the day he returns to his new place in Ipswitch. He’s getting fit. Walking, walking and walking. He’s even invested in a pair of hiking shoes – attractive trainers. He is looking good. I remember that before I met him that this was his pattern. “I want to get into shape.” He explained....
read morePink
A few years ago, when I was a decorator, I’d often receive a particular phone call. It was generally the same request on those occaisions. “I have a little girl and it will be her 5th (6th, 7th) birthday soon. She loves the colour pink. That’s Sindy Pink, do you know the colour? Would you be able to paint her bedroom on such a such a date so that when she comes home from school it will be the colour that she loves?” I managed it every time that there was a request. Even knew the colour number by heart. Going up the house, paint pots in...
read moreA month in the country
I didn’t plan my month in the country. At first I just wanted to take a few days off from blogging. Then it became a week – two weeks and more. Then I decided that I’d take the entire month off. August 12th this year was The Cottage Smallholder’s sixth birthday. Six years of blogging, finding new friends and learning. Blogging ultimately means shifting stones. There’s no point in just being a town crier. When I started blogging I had no advice, no map or planned route. I had no idea that there might be treasure involved. I’ve since...
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