metaphors

Sky-breaking storms

Another wet weather image.   We have a single-slope roof which makes the rain sound an inch above one’s head, and...

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judging by the cover

Russian tales and legends

There is a dark-forested haunting element to the illustrations in this French rendition of Russian stories. They are part of...

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metaphors

The sky fallen down

One of the most English of memories is bluebell tapestried woodland in April - I have a particular recollection of...

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put in a good word

Pemmican

A pressed cake of pounded dried meat mixed to a paste with melted fat and other ingredients, originally made by...

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metaphors

Flapping not floundering

Living pancakes, flapping not floundering.

‘He emptied the bucket into the creek, and the two little flounders...

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a quote to note

Civilization, one scoop or two?

‘What is civilization?’ A deep and vital question we need to keep asking. I liked this pithy response, particularly one...

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put in a good word

Patteran

The children in Swallows & Amazons leave 'patterans' for each other so they can signal which direction they have taken: 'You...

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put in a good word

Catspaw

Seems to be a type of wind, quite distinct from the more common term of ‘cat’s paw’ which refers to...

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put in a good word

Roger

‘A Roger is the Norfolk name for a sudden squall which makes a loud hissing noise as it comes sweeping...

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triologisms

Long-memoried trees

 

We know that trees record time and climate in their year-rings – wide rings in good growing years, skinny...

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judging by the cover, print & publish

Marcel and me – memories of childhood

I grew up with Marcel. That is the French author Pagnol (1895-1974) was a part of our domestic library and...

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put in a good word

Gummocks

This glorious word being no longer current, I invite you to revive it the next time someone does something daft...

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