Linden Bicket

Whether a Nessie believer, perhaps there's some wisdom, and even joy in embracing mystery. 31/8/23

Moment in calendar, presents an opportunity to be still, to notice, to appreciate change, and find beauty in goodness of everyday.23/9/22

The Scottish Greens minister has come under fire this week, for reported not to asking not for work 14 days straight during the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow. Apparently the minister asked for 2 days off during this period, as well as time eat and no early starts for going workdays which finishes after 10pm. She’s being accused of being a Holyrood diver by some of her political opponents, following the revelation of these details.

Scotland is facing a record number of new Covid infections, with numbers in horizon for coming weeks, so we might legitimately feeling apprehensive about what comes next. Whether it’s health, or economic concerns. Perhaps it’s difficult to feel positive for the coming year, with so much uncertainty ahead.

A new study in shifting bird populations in Europe has found the numbers of house sparrow are sharply in decline. These small noisy sociable birds are familiar the world over, and be found in cities, countryside, and in our gardens, and yet, the number of European house sparrows has declined by 247 millions over the last four decades. And numbers of their cousins Tree Sparrows have also fallen drastically.

17th October marks 100 years of birth of one of Scotlands finest poets George Mackay Brown. Born in 1921, Brown had what was once very normal and a really extraordinary life. He was the 6th and youngest child, his childhood was steeped in Island gossip and story telling, where his imagination was fired by Orkney history, lores, and ancient sagas, as well as by elemental presences of land. He spend time in Edinburgh study English literature in 1950s, but afterwards returning to his native land producing critically acclaimed poetries, short stories, novels, plays for children and drama, nearly all of which were set in Orkney. He was completely uninterested in travel and literal celebrity, and remained rooted in that beautiful corner of the world committed to Orkney’s people and its rich history.

The confirmation that football fans will be able to watch Euro2021 at fan zone at large outdoor space at Glasgow has met with extra reactions. The fan zone will host up with 6000 ticket holders a day, including family areas, big screens and serving drink, the event will appear here to the COVID guidelines, but there's some worries about safety at fan zone, particularly given Glasgow only recently moved to level 2, after almost a year restrictions. I live in Glasgow and have mixed feeling even move to level 2, gratitude and excitement but also feeling cautious about being with other people again and needing to climatized.

As I strolled around city parks with my baby in the pram this week, I’ve been struck by the beauty and colour of cherry trees and field bloom. And I’m not the only one. Last weekend the national trust celebrated Bloosom Watch, as part of the celebration, members of the public going encouraged to share pictures of blossom online. Social media has been saturated sumptuous delicacy of pink and white cheery blossoms. There’s something really special about blossom. Every year it inspires a century’s old festival on Hanami in Japan. People gather together in parks and open spaces enjoy the beauty of blossoms. Food, drink, dance, and music were revelled under canopies of richly coloured pedals and buds for around a week, before they scatter, fall, and disappear for another year. Japanese verse cherished loveliness of flowers and bloom, while western acknowledging their impermanence.

Season change like apt metaphor for this period of Lent, which began fortnight ago, which often felt as solemn time, a time of fasting, repentance, time of self-denial and spirit preparation, a time of penitence before the celebration of Easter.