Category Archives: Commentary

What’s New for the 26th of November: Music we’re thankful for; fairy tales and myths; a graphic novel about a pandemic; an Old Hag, a Piglet, Canadian television, and hot chocolate!

Posted on 26th November 2023 by Gus the Estate Head Gardener

“When you wake up in the morning, Pooh,” said Piglet at last, “what’s the first thing you say to yourself?” “What’s for breakfast?” said Pooh. “What do you say, Piglet?” “I say, I wonder what’s going to happen exciting today?” … Continue reading →

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A Kinrowan Estate story: Greening the Estate (A Letter to Anna)

Posted on 19th November 2023 by Gus the Estate Head Gardener

Dear Anna, It’s over the past fortnight that the greening of the Estate took place and that means I’ve been very busy gathering such things as holly, winter berry, pine boughs, pine cones, and setting up the Several Annies and … Continue reading →

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What’s New for the 12th of November: a grab bag of adult and YA fiction and nonfiction; Russian and Eastern European folk-rock, classical, Celtic, blues music and more; Sons of Anarchy; an intrepid air hostess

Posted on 12th November 2023 by Reynard

Hot from the oven, drizzled in corn syrup, bread pudding was one of his favorites. Suzanne Collin’s The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Bread pudding. Ahhh blessed bread pudding. The Kitchen here has been making it come cooler weather every year for … Continue reading →

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What’s New for the 29th of October: Halloween is Nigh on Us!

Posted on 28th October 2023 by Diverse Voices

I forbid you maidens all that wear gold in your hair To travel to Carterhaugh for young Tam Lin is there None that go by Carterhaugh but they leave him a pledge Either their mantles of green or else their … Continue reading →

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What’s New for the 15th of October: Music in fiction and non-fiction; Psycho and its sequels; Two Fat Ladies; some Gaiman; folk music from all over, plus some Zappa and some jazz

Posted on 15th October 2023 by Reynard

She hadn’t meant to fall asleep, but she was a bit like a cat herself, forever wandering in the woods, chasing after squirrels and rabbits as fast as her skinny legs could take her when the fancy struck, climbing trees … Continue reading →

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What’s New for the 1st of the October: Horror, time travel, murder and fantasy, and comics journalism; personal Scandinavian jazz, ancient Persian songs, bluegrass, Americana, and a podcast; Johnny Cash on TV; chocolate and empanadas

Posted on 1st October 2023 by Iain Nicholas Mackenzie

Never argue with a librarian; they know too much. Carole Nelson Douglas’s Cat in a Red Hot Rage It is, as all nights are on this Scottish Estate far from the light pollution of any city, a good night for star … Continue reading →

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Podcast review: Discord & Rhyme episode 125, The Beach Boys’ All Summer Long and Sunflower

Posted on 17th September 2023 by Gary Whitehouse

I was never a super fan of the Beach Boys. I liked all of their hit singles – and there were a LOT of them – at least those that were played on the radio after I started paying attention … Continue reading →

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What’s New for the 17th of September: WWII (and other) mysteries; jazz, Americana, Celtic music and more; Doc Martin; summer beer and ale

Posted on 17th September 2023 by Reynard

We keep our cats as happy as we can. — Anna Nimmhaus The piper at the gates of dawn has resumed their ritual after taking most of the summer off. Now from just before the first light hits the high meadow with … Continue reading →

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Commentary: RIP Jimmy Buffett

Posted on 2nd September 2023 by Gary Whitehouse

Well. I didn’t see this one coming. Mr. Margaritaville has transitioned to the Big Beach. I’m not a real Parrot Head, as the Buffett fanatics call themselves. I stopped following him in the mid-80s, when he started getting played on … Continue reading →

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What’s New for the 20th of August: Some favorite mysteries; jazz, country, RT, and a musical grab bag; a hoedown, a big dragon, Hellboy, and of course ice cream!

Posted on 17th August 2023 by Reynard

If you confront anyone who has lied with the truth, he will usually admit it – often out of sheer surprise. It is only necessary to guess right to produce your effect. — Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie’s Murder on … Continue reading →

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