Author Archives: Ian

It’s iris time

Posted on 15th May 2023 by Ian

The iris in my mother’s garden is white. If it looks mauve, that’s because the picture was taken in the evening light. It is now forty-five years old and looks as it does at the moment for only a brief … Continue reading →

Posted in Unreliable memories | Leave a comment

Artificial intelligence cannot cope with teenage boys

Posted on 10th May 2023 by Ian

The Financial Times carries an article stating that ‘AI will create a serious number of losers.’  The article states that AI tools ‘will shake up everything from medical diagnostics to teaching and copywriting, a range of jobs will be eradicated.’ … Continue reading →

Posted in The stuff of daily life | 4 Comments

Happy to talk

Posted on 8th May 2023 by Ian

The four boys sat around the table talking, there was not a phone in sight. I went over to them and said how encouraging it was that they were content to just happy to talk. Talking was a serious business … Continue reading →

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Beltane in Glastonbury

Posted on 29th April 2023 by Ian

On Monday, it will be the first day of May, a bank holiday Monday The last time May Day fell on  Monday, a trip to Glastonbury brought an encounter with a large crowd gathered to mark the pagan festival of … Continue reading →

Posted in Out and about | Leave a comment

Foreign voices

Posted on 25th April 2023 by Ian

‘Where are you from, sir?’ I have given up saying that I have lived thirty-six of the last forty years of my life in Ireland. ‘England,’ I said. ‘Where in England?’ ‘Somerset,’ I said. Except when I was back in … Continue reading →

Posted in Out and about | 4 Comments