I’ve had many pet insects and arachnids throughout my life. ‘Pet’ is probably too strong a word to use; let’s just say that I’ve harmoniously co-existed with many different creatures. One of my favourite multi-legged friends was a praying mantis called James Bond who lived in my apartment in Stellenbosch for a couple of weeks. … Continue reading A spider called Jeffrey
Explore the Wild Library
Winter memories
Just a week ago, I saw barn swallows sitting in their masses on the telephone poles; poised, as if waiting. These small birds will migrate all the way to South Africa, some as far as Cape Town, during the European winter. I find the thought of them travelling to my home country beautifully poetic, even … Continue reading Winter memories
Lifting the fog
Sometimes a heaviness fills the air around my head and settles on my shoulders. Everywhere I look, its more bad news. Struggles, injustice, bad decisions... If I’m not careful, I'll carry this heaviness with me and it will colour the world grey. Thankfully kindness shines through the murkiness of bad news. In my experience, even … Continue reading Lifting the fog
The Little Red Bird – Short Story
The little red bird puffs herself up and with a bright eye, she watches the sleepy world. Thin winter mist swirls and eddies through the yellow leaves around her. She takes a deep breath and her shrill song fills the quiet morning: 'What’s a lonely bird to do On a grey winter’s morning? Ooh-hoo! No … Continue reading The Little Red Bird – Short Story
No time for lonely roads
I have a talent for finding things to worry about. Sometimes I surprise myself with my creative flair when I dream up worries. During the very long winter months, I managed to convince myself that I don’t have enough time for everything I want to do in the day. It’s hilarious, really, because at that … Continue reading No time for lonely roads
Rhubarb and Ginger
Moving to a new country brings many new experiences. While some are expected, others are a pleasant surprise, like my introduction to the heavenly combination of rhubarb and ginger. I work at the Animals in Need Charity Shop in Letterkenny. It’s one of many charity shops in town but I’m very proud of our shop. … Continue reading Rhubarb and Ginger
The Collectors
Genre: Whimsical Fantasy Bits of earth stuck to Bernard’s fingers. His hands expertly worked through the rich forest soil littered with the skeletons of decomposing leaves. The gentle hum of millions of insects chewing through leaves and tree bark soothed him. Wrapped in the protective arms of ancient oak trees, he felt at home; here, … Continue reading The Collectors
Her name was Lolagh
Genre: Fantasy ‘It’s a long story, really.’ He took a deep drink of ale and, with exaggerated care, placed the mug back on the table. ‘I left my home twenty-nine years ago, or near enough to twenty-nine years ago, to find the girl I love.’ He didn’t know the girl sitting across from him. Normally, … Continue reading Her name was Lolagh
Unforeseen Challenges
Moving to a different country naturally brings about a lot of challenges. In the beginning, you spend a lot of time trying to figure out where to shop, how people drive with the hundreds of roundabouts in town, which pubs are dodgy, how to get your trash collected, and how to put fuel into your … Continue reading Unforeseen Challenges
Life in Donegal
Life in Donegal is pretty much the opposite of the life I’ve known thus far. If I had to describe my experience of this space, I’d say it’s a laid back, half-forgotten, half-emerging place full of wild, natural beauty with just a tinge of cruelty around the edges; a place with a kind spirit filled … Continue reading Life in Donegal
