Snail mail

April 6, 2019April 6, 2019 ~ my word (s) ~ Leave a comment

On the eighth of the eighth, 1988, I ordered a kettle. Over the phone; in those days there was no internet superspeed shopping. I was exuberant as I hadn’t had a new kettle since 1960 and the naughty wee thing had finally conked. I suppose it had lasted well. It was my first electric kettle and I was so proud of it; I used to smile at myself in its shiny copper coating. My 80s one was to be a tall, slim model; a Morphy Richards.

Having ordered it, I somewhat forgot; life events took a rather odd turn and I continued to use the old hob kettle I’d inherited from Gran. On the eighth of the eighth 2008, exactly 20 years since my order, the kettle arrived. It actually had a hand-written apology note for the delay. I guess that’s why they call it ‘snail mail’ these days?

©️ Liz Mackenzie

Not the foot of the Dee then?

March 21, 2019March 22, 2019 ~ my word (s) ~ Leave a comment

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Here’s five facts about Footdee:

It’s an old fishing village by Aberdeen harbour
There’s been dwellings there since medieval times
Architect, John Smith designed Footdee’s cottages in 1809 to rehouse fishermen
It is known, by locals, as Fittie
Though many believed the name Footdee referred to ‘foot of the Dee’ it is actually a corruption of a dedication to St Fothan

So armed with these facts, why visit this tiny place? It has the Silver Darling restaurant, a nod to the old Scottish name for herring. There’s an obelisk, Scarty’s Monument; you could be forgiven for thinking it’s a memorial but it’s really the ventilation shaft of a disused sewage point. The war memorial commemorates Footdee folk who died in first and second world wars. The roundhouse was the former harbour master’s station and the marine operations building is shapely in gleaming glass.

All these pale to nothing when you meet the enchanting network of cobbled walkways hosting quaint cottages and quirky sheds. It’s said upcycling gave birth here long before television shows claimed its popularity. Rusting mangles and fishermen’s boots host flowers and trailing plants; lifebelts become the means to name a shed. It’s a time stands still, steeped in history (almost) hidden gem.

How had I missed it in the 60 years I’d been visiting Aberdeen? I spoke to my aunt, the Aberdeen oracle who’s lived in the city since she was five. Her face lit up. “Fittie? I love it. We used to go there often, walking round each path admiring the little cottages all dressed up.” If you’ve been, you’ll know what she means. If you haven’t, don’t overlook this fascinating, model village style piece of social history. Can you resist?

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©️ Liz Mackenzie

Scurry

February 25, 2019March 22, 2019 ~ my word (s) ~ Leave a comment

Ghostly they dance the night sky

screech their moonlit song

scour a city for overfed waste as

tides turn for another million years

©️ Liz Mackenzie

Front Runner

February 14, 2019March 22, 2019 ~ my word (s) ~ Leave a comment

Today, at my creative writing group, we did a short writing exercise whereby the person next to you gave you a word (any word) and you had to write no more than 50 words, starting with “I love you” and incorporating the given word. All a bit valentine’s day, thought I; I don’t ‘do’ valentines day but, ever game for a writing challenge, here is my offering with thanks to Elizabeth for a lovely word.

Front Runner

I love you snowdrop, you peek out when

all is grey and Christmas is over.

You’re a front runner

the prelude to Spring

You don’t announce your arrival with

a fanfare, just shyly say, “hi”.

You are my hope

my dare to dream defender

I love you snowdrop

© Liz Mackenzie

Photograph taken at Hodsock Priory Snowdrop Walk on 17 February 2019

Watching

December 5, 2018December 5, 2018 ~ my word (s) ~ 1 Comment

Sun’s glint on Aberdeen sea

Gentle wink in dad’s eye

He is there, somewhere

Watching.

©️ Liz Mackenzie

Aberdeen in ten words

December 5, 2018March 22, 2019 ~ my word (s) ~ 1 Comment

Aberdeen

Grampian landscape

granite glint in sunlit shards.

city, seashore, home

Traffic

October 27, 2018November 5, 2018 ~ my word (s) ~ Leave a comment

cars, vans and people

hooting, tooting, scooting past

won’t get there faster

Great Grandma Day

January 16, 2018March 22, 2019 ~ my word (s) ~ Leave a comment

On hearing the news that his Great Grandma had died last year, my Grandson, then not quite 8, said 2 things; “Is Great Grandad ok?” and “I’d like to have a Great Grandma Day every year to remember her.”

We were all struck by his sensitivity, his awareness of death and its finality, and his concern for his Great Grandad. A year on, I wondered if he’d remember and if it would still be something he wanted to do. My daughter asked him; he had remembered and he did want to have Great Grandma Day. We settled on a small family get together on a Sunday, with roast dinner and a few games. “Great Grandma” always cooked a roast on a Sunday and loved playing all sorts of games. When she and “Great Grandad” were younger they had been avid table tennis players and, given the weather in January, this seemed a better option than tennis or golf – her other passions. So, after lunch, washing up done and kitchen cleared, we were able to play and recount tales of Great Grandma and Great Grandad’s prowess at the game. Meanwhile “Flippin Fish” and a Scotland jigsaw puzzle were ‘happening’ in the living room.

It was a simple day with family; enjoying each other’s company and being together to remember Mum, Grandma, Great Grandma. Writing this, I am humbled, again, by the incredible insight, sensitivity and thoughtfulness of my Grandson; a lesson to us all in listening to our children and grandchildren, and marvelling at their wisdom.

I hope there will be many more Great Grandma Days ahead; times to share, to be together and to remember.