Third of four embroidered pieces. 'Silent Night' and 'Holy Night' now followed by 'All is Calm'. (Tomorrow I'll work out how to portray 'All is Bright '!)

Every time.

In the New Year, I will need someone who is skilled at making an artful map for a project that I am working on. If this is you, please reach out in January - [email protected] I need a visual representation of the circulation of a historical pamphlet.

It's cold. My feet (in tights and socks) now sit on a hot water bottle, and are covered with four layers of a scarf. I dispute the assurance that there's nothing wrong with my circulation!!

This is the time of year when I usually take to my desk to write something for pure enjoyment. This year? I'm at a loss for what I feel like #writing about. Might as well turn to my current #embroidery project! 'All is calm' is progressing slowly ...

A teaser for today's seasonal #OTS ##OnThisDay. (I'm still trying to acquire copies of books 1 and 3 of Nelson's Scots Song Book for my own collection!) karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2025/12/30/n...

I've got an article about four female Scottish musicians forthcoming in the next @royalmusical.bsky.social Research Chronicle - I'll certainly share details when it's published.

If you think I'm a writer of recipes for @weightwatchers.bsky.social, please think again. I might try cooking them, but that's it!

My latest #OTD #OnThisDay in the history of Scottish music publishing ... karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2025/12/30/n...

To my shame, as a child on holiday in Broadstairs, my mother produced MY autograph book out of her handbag at the beach and made me go and get Ted Heath's autograph...

Can't get it out of my mind. Paternoster Row was obliterated in the Blitz, 85 years ago tonight. #OTD #OnThisDay karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2025/12/29/t...

Tempting opportunities here, historians. (And oh, I do covet that teapot!)

85 years ago today, #ThomasNelson's London staff went to work in Paternoster Row as usual. 85 years tomorrow, they didn't ... #OTD ##OnThisDay karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2025/12/29/t...

I stand with a tray, one hand 2 cm away from the light switch. 'I'LL do that!' 'But I'm right here!', I protest feebly. 'WHY DO YOU THINK I'M STANDING HERE? But you WON'T BE HELPED!' For me, 'helping' is a bit more practical than this! @shadowsofcontrol.bsky.social

Abusers try to tell you what you believe, what you think, and what your intentions are, as though they could possibly know what is inside your head. #gaslighting #manipulation #emotionalabuse #coercivecontrol

Glasgow City Council is trialling free public transport with 1000 random people. I told my resident transport enthusiast. 'Where?' 'Glasgow.' 'You *didn't* say Glasgow.' Tiny, inconsequential repetitions of #gaslighting, reinterpreting thoughts, making me doubt myself @shadowsofcontrol.bsky.social

I laughed, proud how quickly *I'd* turned it round. 'Just look at that pile of clean laundry!' 'What did you expect? You knew guests mean more washing. You wanted them here at Xmas, didn't you?' Suddenly I'm turned into a Grinch. I didn't mean ANY of that! #gaslighting? @shadowsofcontrol.bsky.social

Another significant #OnThisDay. Less than a mile from our house, actually. #AlasdairGray

@calthalas.bsky.social this has published date 2025, though I got my copy a couple of months earlier - so it just about counts!

Who else is posting #OnThisDay stories today, I wonder? An interesting mixture of stories so far with literary @wflibraries.bsky.social and legislative stories @lbflyawayhome.bsky.social

On this day 29th December 1975 “Radical new legislation” introducing a woman's right to equal pay and status came into force in the UK (Picture: A Second Picture Dictionary, artist: Eric Winter)

This week in Scottish publishing history ... 85 years ago tonight, Thomas Nelson's London offices in Paternoster Row were destroyed in the #Blitz. karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2025/12/29/t...

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has stated that the 1918 flu pandemic was caused by a lab virus from vaccine research, a defective influenza vaccine. Let’s analyze what a lie this is. First, in 1918, 107 years ago, virology was in its infancy

A forgotten birthday. Yes indeed! karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2025/12/28/q...

Okay, I'm playing with fabric. Last night's ''Silent night" is followed by "Holy night". I have yet to devise "All is calm" and "All is bright".

I overestimated how much coffee Mr 32 would get through in a week! Still unopened ... #Stocktaking after the family departed.

Pa's autoharp has found a new home. So pleased - much better than lying in a box in my own home! Enjoy your new future, little autoharp!

I should have done the alt text for that embroidered picture. Here:-

Can't wait to watch this later today!

Today's anniversary is of a guy who is hardly known today, but his Scottish song collection was the 'go-to' authority for many decades... #GeorgeFarquharGraham #SongsOfScotland karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2025/12/28/q...

Read the alt text

dreamt I did a detailed plan of an entire book chapter. didn't. thanks brain

Now mirk December’s dowie face Glowrs owr the rigs wi’ sour grimace, While, thro’ his minimum of space, The bleer-ee’d sun, Wi blinkin’ light, and stealing pace, His race doth run… —Robert Fergusson (1750–1774), “The Daft-Days” – the period between Christmas & New Year #BookWormSat #C18 #poetry

So, listen. If you buy a bed with drawers underneath, & it comes with strips of fabric holding them in place for shipping, don't throw them out. You just got a free gift for a sewing project! (Silvery-grey plush fabric here, enough for several pictures.) #Sustainability #ReUse #Repurpose #Embroidery

Can you help a local historian locate and map examples of historic Gaelic inscriptions on Scottish gravestones? Read the latest blog on our website here that explains more about this interesting project 👇 www.scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk/blog/in-sear...

Have put away the dishes I asked to be put away; hung up laundry; and generally got the house (not its occupants) woken up. He who wanted to run, has 9 mins to dress and run to the park. I'm back in bed!

On Christmas Bin Day, the greatest gift you can give your neighbours with kids is a message saying: "There's space in our bins of you need it"

The new bed came with spare flaps of fabric holding the drawers shut. Lovely silvery, plush fabric,which positively cried out, "embroider me!" So I did. #embroidery #beads

90 years ago today, in hospital ... the editor was evidently feeling a bit better ... karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2025/12/26/t...

Am being an exemplary mum. Mr 29 is sitting beside me, learning to darn socks - his own idea.

90 years ago today, #ThomasNelson editor Wilson was languishing in hospital. (Boxing Day - miserable!) His daughter had been handling his correspondence whilst he was ill. But by Boxing Day, he'd been able to check the page proofs of the #MusicGuide from his hospital bed. #Dedication! #OverAndAbove

If #TestosteroneTowers doesn't get up soon, I'm skipping brunch (for which I've prepared and waited patiently) and moving straight on to cake. Stuff it! Excellent cake by #Lidl, iced by me.

Christmas Day was uneventful in this Highland home (in 1812!) karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2025/12/25/c...

No, no, please don't leave the teapot there! (Once a librarian ...)

Tell me, why would a single mother Democrat 'who loves a good time', follow an oldish musicologist in Scotland? I mean, my words might be sparklingly witty, but does she WANT to hear about old Scottish publishers and cultural history? Block.

I have fed the ravenous horde. Tomorrow, I do not propose to get up remotely early except in a medical emergency. The horde can keep me supplied with tea.

If someone has arthritic shoulders; If they can't draw a heavy curtain without pulling one end off the track; If you try to make sure you do it instead ... Is that, "Highly Offensive?" Just asking ... @shadowsofcontrol.bsky.social

Good morning & welcome to the ultimate Roast Dinner Day Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts Let’s try to hold on to the Christmas spirit all year and always show that kindness Gift kindness always ♥️🐈

Merry Christmas from Ozzy in his basin (Picture by Sophie Fischer)

Back in 1812, business as usual ... karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2025/12/25/c...