Walking Talking Writing

Friday 5th August 10:30am to 12:30 Dawsholm Park
Saturday 13th August 10:30am to 12:30 Ha’Penny Bridge
Saturday 27th August 10:30 to 12:30 Dawsholm Park
Friday 2nd September 10:30 to 12:30 Kibble Palace
Saturday 10th September 10:30 to 12:30 Ha’Penny Bridge
Friday 16th September 10:30 to 12:30 Kibble Palace

For each walk, we’ll be stopping to write, read and talk along the way about what we feel, see, hear, smell, even taste. Please bring writing material & your imagination. (And dress for the weather!)

All walks start at 10.30 and last about two hours. They are free, but please book via Eventbrite using the links above.

We live as we move, a step at a time, and there is something in gentle walking that reminds me of how I must live if I am to save this life that I have been given.
from Walking in the World by Julia Cameron

Living Our Dying Workshops

“I love this book – it will not only help you die a good death, it will strengthen you to live a good life.”
Richard Holloway

Background

Living Our Dying – both the book and these workshops – have evolved from the Die-a-log groups. The first Die-a-log group started in Glasgow over ten years ago. and has spawned twelve other groups: Edinburgh, Reading, London, Dorset. Caring talk, reflections, inspirations, resources, practical information, and news about death and dying, sharing and giving compassionate support, guidance and encouragement dealing with all aspects of death and dying. Our talk is serious but light-hearted, starting with the “die-a-log” name. Our topics are wide-ranging from a life-threatening diagnosis, loss of a country through forced immigration, ending of a relationship, the death of a pet, to sudden unexpected disability.

The most important feature is kindly warmth and respect that gives permission to talk about things that many people regard as taboo and to say what we want. Poems about death and dying can be a way of dealing sensitively with people who are searching for a way of coping with the death of a loved one. Poetry about death is often able to express the painful emotions of grief and loss, and thus assist the bereaved to cope with the situation.

What to expect?

• sharing personal stories, poetry and reflection in an atmosphere of trust, respect and confidentiality
• keeping a journal for guided writing prompts and suggestions for writing at home
• reading and gleaning ideas from the book Living Our Dying a listen to the writers here.
• developing skills in compassionate communication
• people attending the workshops will be living in Glasgow and will be posted a copy of Living Our Dying.
• two Living Our Dying writers will be invited to contribute to the workshops
• the option of the workshops continuing as a self-directed support group

Facilitator

How to apply

Places are free but are limited to eight participants – priority will be given to people living in Glasgow who can attend all eight workshops. The workshops will be held in the Glasgow Botanic Gardens – South wing of the Kibble Palace.

To apply please e-mail lapidus.scotland.1@gmail.com by Thursday 1 September with your name, contact details including post code, and a note of what you hope to gain from these workshops.

If you have any queries please e-mail us at the address above.

The Earth is Our Home

Poems from Scotland – compiled by Gerry Loose

From a long look at the deep ecologies of the past, to personal intimations of compassion, the 19 poets in this anthology, among the best in Scotland, give their various all to articulate what Shelley wrote in his “The Defence of Poetry” that ‘poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world’. Thus by simply writing verse, poets use the tools of poetry – words – without threat or menace, to provide an exemplary alternative to strife, to the way we are destroying ourselves and our home.

—Gerry Loose

— Gerry Loose, May 2022

Bringing Mindfulness to Life Events

Ah, said July— . . .

Where be the Maize—
Where be the Haze—
Where be the Bur?
Here—said the Year— Emily Dickinson