Crann-cuinnse (Quince Tree) - Pàdraig MacAoidh (English Translation Below)

Taobh a-muigh na h-uinneag-sa
tha an canal cho trang sa bhitheas e.
Tha na lachan, na cearcan-uisge
’s na faoileagan uile cha mhòr air fàs a-nis,
na h-iteagan aca laidir is grinn gu leòr
gus teicheadh air sgiath. Tha am bliadhna
a' tionndadh, ma-thà, agus sluagh nam fèisean
a' lìonadh nan treànaichean ’s nan itealan
agus a' toirt dhachaigh an cuid dannsa
agus gaireachdainn, ceòl agus dìbhearsain.
Measgachadh de leantainneachd
agus caochladh – na bhios a' ruith agus a' stad.
Dè dhèanamaid leis a' chaochladh seo,
a' chlach, an uisge, an fhoghair san adhar?
Cò aig a tha fios? Ach seall –
tha na druidean-dubha air tilleadh, a' lìonadh
a' chrainn-cuinnse, a' feitheamh air biadh.

Quince Tree - Peter Mackay

Outside the window the canal
is as busy as it ever is. The ducks,
the waterhens, the seagulls are all fledged,
their wings strong, elegant enough
to take flight. The year is turning, then,
and the crowds from the festivals
fill the trains and planes, taking home
their dancing and laughter, music and distraction.
A mix of continuity and flux, what flows
and what remains. What should we do
with this change, these cycles, this stone
and water, this autumn in the air?
Who knows? It doesn’t really matter.
Look, the starlings have returned,
filling the quince tree, waiting to be fed.

www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/cran…

#Scottish #literature #poem #poetry #Gaidhlig #Gaelic #autumn

22 September 2026

I love my neighbourhood. Parking Day setup a tribute called Meet Me at the Steps. www.parkingdaytoronto.ca

A public art installation is set up on a city sidewalk in front of a Royal Bank branch and other storefronts. The installation is a black metal grid structure with multiple panels displaying pink, purple, and black cards, some with handwritten notes and printed messages. A large central sign reads “Meet me at THE STEPS” with a description below that explains it as a public space activation by Simon Liao and Tristan Coolman, focusing on recreating the queer gathering space once known as The Steps outside the Second Cup at Church and Wellesley. The sign invites people to sit, write anonymous notes such as gossip, confessions, hot takes, and random thoughts, and leave them for others to see. Many pink and purple cards are clipped to the wire panels, some containing handwritten notes and some blank. There are photographs attached, including images of crowds, a street scene with a brick building, and community gatherings. A small metal basket is attached to the display, holding additional cards or supplies. The street and sidewalk around the installation are visible, with cars and parts of buildings in the background.

21 September 2026

#September #IYKYK

21 September 2026

Sting of Death (1966) #Watching #Monsterdon https://boxd.it/30B2

A vivid, comic-style poster dominated by shades of turquoise, red, and black features a large menacing jellyfish-like creature with a bulbous head and long tentacles extending downward. Beneath the creature, the words “STING OF DEATH” appear in bold, distressed white lettering. On the left side, a man in a striped shirt looks down with a serious expression, holding something in his hands. On the right side, another man with a concerned or intense expression is partially in shadow. At the bottom centre, a diver in an old-fashioned deep-sea suit with a large helmet and hoses stretches out horizontally, as if swimming or floating underwater. The background blends abstract splashes of red with aquatic textures, evoking an underwater setting with an ominous and dramatic tone.

20 September 2026

Tony (2026) #Watching https://letterboxd.com/imdb/tt33095251

Two chefs in white uniforms are standing close together in a kitchen, smiling as they focus on preparing food. The older chef with short dark hair and a grey beard is holding a spoon, wearing a bracelet on his wrist. The younger chef with curly dark hair leans in to observe. The lower part of the image has a solid orange background with the large white text “TONY” written in bold capital letters.

20 September 2026

Disorganized Crime (1989) #Watching #SundayFunnies https://letterboxd.com/imdb/tt0097211

A group of five men poses on the porch of a weathered, white wooden house. One man leans against the porch railing with his arms crossed, wearing a black shirt and jeans. Another man in a grey suit and black sunglasses stands beside him, resting his hands on the top of a chair. Behind them, a man in dark clothing crouches on the porch with one hand on his face, while another man in a dark sweatshirt and pants sits with his chin resting on his hand, looking tired or contemplative. At the front, a man dressed in all black with a denim jacket and ripped jeans sits casually on the porch steps, wearing dark sunglasses and leaning back with one arm on his knee. The words “Disorganized Crime” appear at the bottom in large, bold, red and white letters. Dry leaves are scattered on the ground in front of the porch.

20 September 2026

Best of the Best (2026) #Watching https://letterboxd.com/imdb/tt16478058

A lively scene of young adults dancing and enjoying themselves at what appears to be a party or club. At the centre, two smiling women are captured mid-dance. The woman on the left wears a red sequined dress, a black headband, hoop earrings, and a heart-shaped necklace; she has her eyes closed and a subtle smile. The woman on the right wears a white corset top with dark jeans, a gold bracelet, and earrings; she has curly hair and is smiling widely with her arms raised in the air. Behind them, men in casual clothing are partially visible in the dim, colourful lighting. In the foreground, a man wearing dark sunglasses, a patterned scarf, and a dark jacket leans toward the camera. Over the centre of the image, in bold white capital letters, is the phrase "BEST OF THE BEST." The overall atmosphere is energetic and celebratory.

19 September 2026

Wham! 10 Days in China (2026) #Watching https://letterboxd.com/imdb/tt43492793

A promotional poster featuring two men standing in front of the Tiananmen Gate in Beijing, China. The man on the left is wearing a blue suit with a white shirt and black tie, with his hands in his pockets. The man on the right is wearing a red plaid blazer over a white turtleneck, with black pants, and has long hair. Both are looking confidently toward the camera. In the background, people are walking and riding bicycles near the large red walls of the Forbidden City, adorned with Chinese writing and a portrait of Mao Zedong. The sky is clear and blue. The text at the top reads "GEORGE MICHAEL" on the left and "ANDREW RIDGELEY" on the right. Below the image of the men, large text says "WHAM!" followed by "10 DAYS IN CHINA" and "DIRECTED BY MIKE CHRISTIE." Additional text at the bottom reads "IN CINEMAS WORLDWIDE BEGINNING JULY 28TH," along with the website "WHAM10DAYSINCHINA.COM" and logos for Trafalgar Releasing, Sony Music Vision, Supercollider, and BBC.

19 September 2026

It’s time for… KUNG FU!!

Unleashed (2005) #Watching #KungFuSat https://letterboxd.com/imdb/tt0342258

A movie poster featuring a large close-up of a man with intense eyes and a serious expression, wearing a metallic collar around his neck. Above him are multiple small rectangular frames depicting various scenes: action sequences, fighting, a man holding a gun, and dramatic moments including a person playing the piano and an older man in sunglasses. The background has a grid-like design resembling a film strip. The word "UNLEASHED" is prominently displayed in bold white letters near the centre of the poster, partially overlapping the man’s head.

19 September 2026

#Flowers #ForMeFromMe

A clear glass vase holds a vibrant bouquet of flowers, displayed on a black round tray with a golden lattice pattern. The bouquet includes a variety of colourful blooms: light blue hydrangeas, pink roses, pink and purple chrysanthemums, light pink lilies, and small clusters of purple flowers. The flowers are lush with green leaves interspersed throughout. The background shows a patterned tablecloth in shades of red, blue, and orange with a paisley design, and part of a black chair and a countertop. On the left side of the table, there is a folded zigzag-patterned napkin in light colours, and on the right, some papers and a small blue flower are partially visible. The scene is warmly lit, highlighting the vivid colours of the flowers.

18 September 2026

Another fine #Sourdough #Bread, if I do say so my own self

A freshly baked round loaf of artisan bread with a golden-brown crust sits on a wire cooling rack on a kitchen counter. The crust is rustic with deep, uneven scoring patterns and patches of white flour. The bottom edge of the loaf appears slightly darker and crisp. In the background, there is a red stand mixer, a white bowl, a green bowl, and various kitchen items including a dark sink and bottles, one of which is green. The counter surface is speckled brown, and the lighting highlights the bread’s texture and colour.

18 September 2026

It’s very important to me! 🤬😁

Swearing Is More Important Than You Think - Freakonomics

18 September 2026

Barbarian (2022) #Watching #WickedWed (on Thursday) https://letterboxd.com/imdb/tt15791034

A red-toned poster features a woman standing in a doorway at the top of a dimly lit staircase, dressed in a white blouse and dark jeans, with curly hair framing her face. The stairs beneath her are shadowy, and the doorway emits a soft light that illuminates her figure. The background is entirely red with a rough texture, and the bottom of the image displays the word “BARBARIAN” in large, bold black letters.

17 September 2026

I have loved the Muppets since I first saw them, and I continue to love them to this day. Weirdly, I saw the first season of Sesame Street in Hong Kong, where I’m from, the first time in English and the second in Cantonese.