The Changing of the Seasons

November 1, 2026 sareenmclayLeave a comment

Today is the first of November and the start of winter here. Yes, there is a chill in the air but the sun glinting through the trees and the stunning reds and yellows of the leaves make me feel we are still in the midst of autumn.

Or perhaps I am not ready to move on?

It’s been a while since I posted on here and looking back today I discovered the post below which I wrote but hadn’t published. As I read it through, it brought back lovely memories of spring and summer and perhaps having now had the chance to look backwards, I feel more ready to move forward and welcome winter.

Added to this was a wonderful visit to Harrogate where I popped in to The Remnant House Ltd – what an Aladdin’s cave! I could have stayed in there all day amidst the fabulous range of fabrics and haberdashery items. I was, much to my amazement, restrained and bought only what I need to make my next sewing project. What a treat! (I may have also popped into Books for All, a second hand bookshop across the street but that is another story …)

So, armed with a new project, I’m ready for winter!

(And I’m taking advice from the Nan in the post below!)

Here’s my unpublished post – I hope it gives you a chance to think back and then move forward too.

A Spring in my Step

Sometimes serendipity sends you up a steep road.

A chance read of a post about a hidden library on the island of Arran on Scotland’s west coast found me walking up a beautiful, if hilly, path on the lookout for a Hidden Library in the woods.

The wooden cabin we discovered held not only shelves of books but a plethora of messages from former visitors too.

I loved it.

Books, nature, messages filled with positivity and encouragement. Have to say, a favourite was one from a Nan in Glasgow – ‘Just book the trip.’ Fabulous, no messing about, get on with it and, most importantly, don’t overthink it.

The books in the library are free to take, the only proviso is the wish that once you are finished with them, you gift them on to someone else. It’s also possible to donate books on the theme of nature.

I felt so lucky. We had arrived on the island when the wildflowers were blooming, and the path felt magical. I couldn’t resist taking photos and have loved being able to look back on them all. I’ve shared them here.

The trip brought back wonderful memories of our time in Orkney and visit to Betty’s Reading Room.

The island of Arran is yet another of Scotland’s gems. So much to do, so little time.

(Have you tried Isle of Arran ice-cream? Just saying.)

Of course, there had to be trees in my blogpost, and this one is a stunner. Spotted by my family as they made the climb up to the top of Goatfell, they knew I wouldn’t be able to resist going for a look. What a stunner. A real ‘hug a tree’ moment.

To be in the presence of such greatness, was the true meaning of ‘awesome’.

As ever, I love it when a book lands in my hands which just hits the nail on the head and as part of my reading for reviews for the My Book Corner website, I recently read Trix’s Tree House by Ewa Jozefkowicz, Illustrated by Gillian Flint and it was all about the importance of wildflowers and bees, particularly solitary ones.

As I may have said before, I do love a recommendation. Recently I’ve updated my book list on the Notes app so now I write down who has recommended the book/film/tv programme to me as well as the title.

Maybe it’s a memory thing! This way I can thank that person (hopefully!) and at the very least have a discussion with them about their recommendation.

In ‘Diary of a Tuscan Bookshop’ the author, Alba Donati wrote about how she loved a book which had recommendations for others within it. If there was ever a book to inspire you to read more and discover authors, then surely this must be it.

The wonderful Gallovidia Books in Kirkcudbright.

I’ve decided to keep it on my bookshelf and if I am ever in need of inspiration for a book choice, I will know exactly where to go first.

So what with having a story recently published in The People’s Friend magazine, spending time with family and friends, spotting red squirrels in Arran and in our back garden, bird watching at Fowlsheugh, hugging trees, reviewing books and one or two book purchases at independent bookshops, I’ve been so lucky – I’ve had a ball this spring! Let summer begin!

Recommendations!

BBC Secret life of bees

Trix’s Tree House by Ewa Jozefkowicz, illustrated by Gillian Flint – read my review in www.mybookcorner.co.uk

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

Free by Lea Ypi

It would be lovely if you would like to pop over to www.mybookcorner.co.uk where you can read my reviews of the latest books for children. There is the opportunity to sign up for the newsletter as well providing you with great recommendations sent straight to your inbox!

Garden · Happy · Hope · Knitting · Nature · Photography · Writing

Changes

October 25, 2025 sareenmclayLeave a comment

Education, salvation and *damnation.* Aberdeen with the beautiful gardens below.
(Central Library, St Mark’s Church and His Majesty’s Theatre.)

Recently I was asked to take a photo which would represent Aberdeen. Where to start, the imposing tower of the Marischal College, the miles of beach, the bandstand at Duthie Park? (Not to mention Old Aberdeen, Footdee/Fittie, I could go on …)

The photo is for a writing group.

I have been the local volunteer co-ordinator of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI – or Scooby as it is known!) these past few years.

Our group encompasses Aberdeen and the Northeast but truly, it has members from around Scotland. It is a wonderful group of writers who support one another and provide insightful and helpful critiques as well as a whole host of encouragement and bookish advice.

Recently we made the decision to open the group to all, so you no longer have to be a member of the SCBWI to belong. Scooby has also been going through a lot of changes recently, hence the need for a photo of Aberdeen so our group can be mentioned on the website. I hope this photo does Aberdeen justice.

New members are very welcome and if you would like to join, please feel free to DM me on my Instagram or Facebook page.

The same morning I took the photo of Aberdeen, I nearly missed my bus. I was distracted, taking pictures of the clouds because, why not? I am always trying to remember the names of the different types of clouds, not very successfully, I admit, but it is fun trying.

Standing at the bus stop cloud spotting seems a good use of time, craning my neck to look up rather than down at my phone. The other day, when I began to think about what I would write in this post, I knew I had to include these two photos.

Today, I am on the train writing this up, trying not to be too distracted by the sheer variety of white puffs in the sky (one looks like a giant zeppelin!).

By chance, I bought a magazine for my journey. This time it was Prima and inside, guess what, you’ve got it, there is a whole article about skygazing. Gotta love a coincidence.

Positive psychologist, Paul Conway has coined the phrase ‘Skychology’ for the ‘practice of intentionally looking up at the sky for a few minutes a day to improve your mental health’. Love it. I didn’t really need a name for it, but it is clever and apparently the science behind it proves my sky gazing instincts were worth acting upon. I’ll need to do more!

Those of you who have seen my few and far between posts on Instagram, FB or Bluesky, may have seen these pictures.

For a few years there, I wasn’t too keen on the arrival of Autumn. Not that I could do anything about it, perhaps I just wasn’t looking forward to the colder days.

This year, I am embracing it. How lucky to be able to watch the trees and plants change colour.

The thought of time spent inside as well, being cosy with the opportunity to carry on with (yet another) crochet blanket, fills me with joy. Bring it on!

Wishing you all a very Happy Autumn.

I am reading ‘All Adults Here’ by Emma Straub (although by the time I post this, I will guarantee I will have finished it. It’s compulsive reading!) I bought it in my brother and sister-in-law’s fabulous bookshop, Book Moon in Easthampton, MA.

I am watching ‘Oak Tree: Nature’s Greatest Survivor’ on BBC 4 with Gavin McGavin.

Birds · Flowers · Happy · Hope · Inspiration · Nature · Trees

Forest Fauna and Flora

July 8, 2024 sareenmclay

Sometimes you are lucky enough to find somewhere magical. Where you feel transported to a time and place of tranquility. In those moments, all else can, surely must be, forgotten to fully embrace the experience.

Black Spout waterfall and wood at Pitlochry is, for me, one such place. It left me filled with wonder and an amazing sense of peace. Perhaps it’s the lushness of the greenery this year. So much rain followed by days of sunshine.

To walk in the forest was to feel the softness of the paths underfoot. To listen to the birdsong: chaffinch, coal tit, grey and white wagtails was to smile at those wagging tails. To feel the soft, velvet of a hazel leaf and to admire tiny newly forming hazelnuts.

To my delight, there were oak trees of every size and shape. I thought of how their burls may be labelled as an ‘imperfection’, and yet their many layered beauty was undeniable. Useful too, they are often sought after by those who work with wood. No two burls are ever the same, with their layers and patterns. How wonderful that, in nature, we celebrate individuality.

There was no way I was going to miss the opportunity to hug a tree. To feel the smoothness of the moss on one side as opposed to the rivulet-like bark on the other. How amazing to consider its lifetime as I stand in silent awe.

It made me think of ‘birch tapping’ where the sap of the birch trees is collected to drink. I thought of all the water running through the tree. Of course, it could have been the water running over the Black Spout waterfall that made me think of this! An excellent viewing platform has been built and, if you carry on further up the path, you come to a beautiful section where there are large flat rocks above the waterfall.

When not hugging trees, I was using my phone to identify birdsong and plants. Wood avens, speedwell as well as cow parsley to name a few. What a complete distraction from everyday life. My visit to Black Spout wood, in such good company too, was a joy.