The Library
Wonder, nature, folklore, culture, creativity.
I write about all sorts.
This is a selection of my writing.
More recent work is on Substack.
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A list for February
I love a list but usually they are full of tasks and admin. Not usually mine either. This year I am trying to write a monthly to do list that fill up my cup. Here is my list for February. What would be on your joy list this month?
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Wintering
The pace of January speaks my language. It’s like the Sunday of the year, with no expectations and a slower pace. If January was a verb, it would be wintering. I read a book called Wintering a few years ago where it describes winter, not just as a season, but as a state of mind.…
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Fourteen
I’m a sentimental mum. I would cry at the smallest passage of time as your brother grew. Losing of his baby teeth. Going up a vest size would leave me sobbing. Birthdays would leave me emotional. But not with you. Watching you grow has been joyous. You leap into each stage of new independence. Always…
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Dark nights and fairy lights
I’m writing this on the first night after the clocks have gone back. When it is dark at 5pm. It’s the time when I stop doing things at night and I declare my hibernation is beginning. Fairy lights, PJs at 5pm and cosy nights in. And I have always said it is my favourite thing…
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Paws for thought
I’ve longed for a dog since I was a little girl. I never gave up hope. My dad worked long hours and on the days that he could pick me up from school as a surprise, I ran to him convinced he had a puppy for me. When I got married in Italy, he told…
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The power of my pen
Yesterday there was a stream of posts on Instagram entitled This Little Girl is Me to celebrate International Day of the Girl. I loved reading the posts. They were raw, funny and poignant. It coincided with a powerful coaching session I had where I was challenged like I have never been before. I felt the…
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The passing of time
The air changes in September, the energy in the air starts to fizz with anticipation of the year ahead. The changes it will bring. Nothing quite marks this like the back to school photo session on the doorstep. It is more than a photo. It marks the passing of a summer gone. With the suntanned…
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The mountains come calling
I always tell my children that the best stuff happens outside of your comfort zone. Children learn by watching, so it feels like I perpetually live outside mine, as I want to practice what I preach. Skiing has never wanted to sit inside my comfort zone. But being the determined woman I am, I won’t…
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Privilege
It has been the greatest privilege of my life doing the school run with you. And in the blink of an eye, you are at the end of primary school. Watching you run into school and run out at 3.30 every day, straight into my arms, are memories I will treasure forever. Telling me everything…
By Eve Bell 