If you listen to one thing…

All these years I’ve been a committed radio lover, I’ve been dedicated to whatever is playing live at the moment that I press the switch. I enjoy the random prize of whatever is on, so I’ve always rejected the idea of podcasts: I don’t have the time / the inclination / the bandwidth / etc.

Then Tom persuaded me to listen to Serial. Seriously, you guys, have you heard? If you haven’t downloaded this and been listening on your commute / night run / supermarket sweep / etc then you have definitely been missing out.

But, it made me realise I’ve been missing out on so much more! I know, I’m late to the party. So now I’ve been binge-listening to Short Cuts, The Digital Human, and This American Life. So, just before you head on over to download Serial, please tell me: what else have I been missing out on? Find me over on Twitter or Instagram.

Just A Wee October Read

I have been a dedicated lover of James Yorkston’s gentle singing since our long past summers spent in the muddy fields of Green Man Festival, when it was just us and 2000 other stinky revellers.

All heaped together in the Big Top, a fug of smoke, with the rain dripping steadily off the canvas door, relaxing to his gentle humour, circling guitar, and the surprise beatbox accompaniment of a particularly keen soundman.

I defy anyone to not fall in love with JY’s music. His songs have stuck with me all through my fickle musical swings, like a ship’s mast in a storm.

So, this wasn’t to be any ordinary tour diaries. And yet, his ordinary stories were exactly what made it so wonderful. The natural, poetic patter that is so evident in this tune came through in his writing.

Yorkston pulled out delightful details from his touring days – things that weren’t intricate plot devices or building to some greater symbolism, just interesting things that caught his eye. A perfectly lovely read from a not-exactly-rock-star.

For November I’m indulging my love of nature writing with this beautiful recent hardback (awarded the Samuel Johnson prize only yesterday!) My November shall be full of visions of hawks and austringers.

With thanks, as always, to Laura who inspired this year of books.

Going Solo

Since way back in the spring you may have noticed my mention of new business plans. The first day of November saw these really truly beginning, as I visited my first client as an independent Speech and Language Therapist, no longer under the employment of a school or council or NHS – just me, setting out to support a family.

Despite being an SLT for almost ten years, I was strangely nervous about doing it with my new ‘independent practice’ hat on. But, the session went well and I’m excited to start providing some regular therapy.

My friends and family have been incredibly supportive and patient with me; particularly Tom as my mind has rarely been far from some new plan or consideration, and he has heard no end of talk on the matter!

Brother Alec and friend Kat helped hugely with website building and photo taking. So now – this thing is real and I can’t wait to get stuck in! Do go have a look at SaLT by the Sea: Speech and Language Therapy for the Isle of Wight! :)

In Praise of the Whale

Whales are incredible creatures. Their great size, and calm intelligence, living in the great unknown of the ocean depths. Catching sight of one is certainly memorable; if you meet someone who has, they will no doubt delight in telling you all about it.

Given Tom’s love for these animals, our house has gradually accrued references to them: books, prints, and even a hand stitched toy. When he read Leviathan, he was full of interesting facts and strange stories about these beautiful mammals. So when the author came to town as part of the Isle of Wight Literary Festival, we simply had to go.

Philip Hoare is one of those genuine outdoorsmen: strong and wiry, with creased shorts (I imagine he never wears trousers) and a bucketful of tales to tell. It was wonderful to spend an hour listening to him. He’s clearly inspired by oceans, this vast expanse of water about which we know so little (“We know more about the surface of the moon, than we do the bottom of the sea.”) He told of his first sighting in Provincetown, and his later trips swimming with sperm whales in the Azores. A true storyteller, with wonderful experiences enhanced by his rich knowledge.

Feeling inspired, I went home and ordered his book. But Tom went one better and started crafting away: a papercut of the odontocelli, about which Hoare told us so much. These days Tom can often be found at the table cutting out beautiful shapes and interesting quotes.

When I asked him why he loved whales so much, he said it was the hardest question he’s ever had to answer. Perhaps he isn’t asked many tough questions, or perhaps the deep affinity many of us feel with these mammals is hard to explain.

Currently

Loving this proper October weather: getting soaking wet on the ride home, ploughing through piles of multicoloured leaves, and stocking up on dry wood for the stove.

Trying to pick up my knitting needles again. I can’t even remember the last time I had a project on the go. It won’t feel like a proper autumn until I’ve got one started.

Enjoying the novelty of being an accidental pet owner: we seem to have inherited Tom’s class hamster. He’s adorably tiny and reminds me of childhood days building Lego houses and toilet roll tunnels.

Juggling the day job. Tom and I are both planning exciting changes to our work next year. But in the meantime, we’re squeezing it all in to our evening and weekends.

Listening to lots of perfect tunes from this Scottish gent. I’m reading his tour diaries at the moment and enjoying his relaxed simple patter.

So, before October ends, I hope I can share with you a knitting project, a new business, and a Scottish book review. Meanwhile, I hope you’re all enjoying the delights of this stormy autumn!