Author Archives: maureenshirley

Serendipitea: when you bump into a friend you haven’t seen for ages and head for the nearest cafe. Tranquilitea: a cuppa in my garden, listening to the birds and enjoying the sunshine. Charitea: always include a pack of tea in … Continue reading →

Originally posted on The Book Keeper Book Shop:
“But at night, when the library lamps are lit, the outside world disappears and nothing but the space of books remains in existence. ”Alberto Manguel, The Library at NightIllustration by Jay Anacleto

My little red cup I mourn your loss I shall not see The like again.

I’m feeling more than a little overwhelmed. Begin with Climate Change, nothing from COP26, add 2 years of COVID, then mad Putin’s war on the Ukraine, more refugees and top it all off with mind blowing amounts of water flooding … Continue reading →

Originally posted on The Book Keeper Book Shop:
“Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths,Enwrought with golden and silver light,The blue and the dim and the dark clothsOf night and light and the half-light,I would spread the cloths under your feet:But…

Originally posted on The Book Keeper Book Shop:
“Arise from sleep, old cat, And with great yawns and stretchings… Amble out for love” Issa, Japanese Haiku Illustration by Philippe Imbert

When we were kids, my sister and I had ballet lessons once a week. There wasn’t enough money for music lessons as well, so I never learned to play the piano, or the guitar, or the drums… But the music … Continue reading →

Originally posted on The Book Keeper Book Shop:
“It may be that you are not yourself luminous, but that you are a conductor of light. Some people without possessing genius have a remarkable power of stimulating it.” Sir Arthur Conan…

My Christmas present this year is an Ultrasonic Possum Deterrent. But really its for the possum that gallops noisily over our roof at 4am or thereabouts and eats all the new growth on my treasured Pierre de Ronsard rose bush … Continue reading →

Child of my heart, One with my spirit, Born of the dust And the breath that I gave you. What will you bring me When you come home? I’ll bring you the touch of the wind on my cheek, and … Continue reading →