Today we decided to try taking mum to her favourite place #Glasgow She is so happy and we are so glad we came! (Mum has bad dementia so trips can be challenging but incredibly worthwhile!).

A proposal to require property developers to include at least one “swift brick” in every new home to save swifts, house martins, sparrows, and starlings - all of which are in rapid decline - at a mere cost of £35 per building has been rejected by UK Labour. naturalworldfund.com/labour-block...

I would rather live next door to someone who speaks another language than live next door to someone who doesn’t want to live near people who speak other languages. I know nothing about Person A but I know person B is a shitbird.

#RareTongues "essential reading for linguists, anthropologists, and activists alike. It earns its place in academic discourse by challenging disciplinary boundaries and advocating for a more inclusive, compassionate linguistics” Thank you so much Language in Society #languageinsociety

Last weekend had an amazing time speaking about Rare Tongues @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social Wonderful theatre! Sold out! And only one book left at the end. Relaxed afterwards with Hockney and cello music before the long, reluctant drive home. What a brilliant part of our country!

We are house browsing in the South East..Tonight I found this. It even has a garage that's 'big enough for a car'!!! Wow!

Tiggy is peeved and puzzled that I'm working rather than paying her attention.

Today is a day when arts degrees are worthless, but the product of those degrees is so valuable it would kill an entire industry if they were made to pay for it.

FFS utterly abysmal reporting

If you don't want Prime Minister Farage to be able to have greater control over whether you or your less privileged neighbour can work, get benefits or access healthcare then you don't want a mandatory ID scheme.

May he brighten your day just a little too!

Having an amazing time at #wigtownbookfestival Lovely, interesting people, comfortable hotel, and a packed event for #RareTongues Great party and fireworks last night too!!

Some wise advice on your academia.edu account. It's probably time to delete it.

My brother and sister-in-law have been raising funds to help Layla Mohammed and her family escape the hell in Gaza. I know times are tight for everyone, but if you can spare anything, even a repost, it is much appreciated. www.gofundme.com/f/layla-moha...

YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO.

Our pear tree is proving to be popular!

Today's artist without a (known) birthday: Juan de Flandes, a Flemish painter in Spain. Here, Annunciation, c. 1500. Mary seems to be reading a comic book. Good for her!

His Name Is Jesus. He’s a Carpenter. ICE Arrested Him. open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...

Yes, this IS absolute madness.

Lovely academic article by the wonderful Professor Ares from Malaga Uni about my last novel. So grateful to her for this astute and generous reading which so beautifully understands what I hoped to do. riuma.uma.es/xmlui/bitstr...

I spoke to women sexually harassed by staff, I spoke to a woman trapped in her room because she was visually impaired and no one would assist her. scabies break outs, staff bullying, kids held in rooms with no windows. Janice doesn’t mention them in her article www.thetimes.com/article/a50f...

And also to make other people understand why you think it's so amazing!

This is so niche I can't believe I am asking, but does anyone know anyone who might be an expert in Protestantism in Italy during the Reformation? (Stranger things have happened). RTs welcome.

The UK did have one standout product that was considered globally valuable- universities- and unilaterally decided to stop providing the product because it was more important to be xenophobic than successful

Jupiter is not helping me to write today.. #catsonbluesky

Just saw a journalist and friend post about not eating properly in days in Gaza - then watched him live on TV. There is nothing more emblematic of the shameful indifference from many Western nations than watching those who bear witness to genocide slowly becoming consumed by a genocide

Lovely academic article by the wonderful Professor Ares from Malaga Uni about my last novel. So grateful to her for this astute and generous reading which so beautifully understands what I hoped to do. riuma.uma.es/xmlui/bitstr...

This is a lovely piece from one of the priests at my church. Worth a few minutes of reading!

new @lselibrary.bsky.social oral histories Movement Ordination of women digital.library.lse.ac.uk/collections/... fascinating Clare Wilson. husband opposed as she earned good money teaching and could always occupy herself, but her heart was set @lsegender.bsky.social @womenshistnet.bsky.social

I just left the Everglades Immigrant Interment Camp. No, I’m not using their ridiculous name. It was a very tough to witness humans in those cages. Every Floridian should be ashamed that our taxpayer money is being used for this.

Wow, nine hours of standoff. Deep bow to those standing up against ice.

This is my 'we've found some Camargue horses' happy, excited face.

Just reached 1000 YouTube subscribers for @thecathedral.bsky.social

Listen to the Ideas #Podcast with @drlornagibb.bsky.social Gibb and @newbooksnetwork.bsky.social and enjoy this fascinating discussion about when languages vanish. hubs.ly/Q03s7tpC0

I loved this book by @drlornagibb.bsky.social . I came late to languages, which I like to blame on poor teaching, but it was likely my own poor attitude. But now I’m learning Korean and German and how much a language holds. This book is a kaleidoscope of knowledge about language, culture and life.

BREAKING NEWS: This video will likely improve your day.

Eid Mubarak!!! For all my friends who celebrate xxx

Anyway (Have a Mary Oliver)

The sunshine has gone and mum's in her unhappy dementia place today. Just praying for a little more 🌞 this summer for her up here, so she can get back to this...

Check out last week's newsletter! Piece By Piece | Fast Five with Lorna Gibb | Marginalia with Margaret Echelbarger | Matt Fraser on The Light of Asia @drlornagibb.bsky.social @bskybymidge.bsky.social @columbiajournalism.bsky.social newbooksnetwork.substack.com/p/piece-by-p...

V important study by a @languageonthemove.bsky.social team member If you are Australia-based and speak a language other than English, please consider taking part in this survey, which involves doing a short online search for resources in another language and then answering some survey Qs about it 👇

I agree with Kelvin. I voted for a tolerant, progressive nation. It will not be established by Labour's persistent aping of the populist right.

This is fun. I did the Fast Five for the New Books Network and here it is. From Eliot to Ovid, I give you the books that I still can't stop reading.

Nasty, racist decision by the Home Office. ‘The author of an award-winning memoir about his life as a refugee has been refused a UK visa to attend a premiere of its adaptation for the London stage by one of Britain’s most celebrated playwrights.’ www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

I abhor fascism, so it’s with a heavy heart that I’m going to do a fascism, awfully sorry about your human rights