38 Comments

This is the essence of great writing. Sublime, nuanced, researched, heartfelt. Can’t wait to see where you take us next on this journey.

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Oh, thank you again. Hope you like Rima

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Ha! I thought you were going to write about the artist Rima Staines ... nice article!

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Nope! But I have a piece of her work sitting in front of me when I write, so she might creep into the series somehow . . .

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Very exciting, James, and as always much I want to quote back to you. But also thank you for the lesson in etymology – all very inspiring, as always.

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Thanks Roselle. I spend half my life in etymological dictionaries these days. Every word is an adventure!

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Agreed! Me too.

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Joining you on this journey, from the edge of an island on the edge of an ocean, with a keen edge of anticipation.

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Thank you Samantha. I've been looking at your paintings online. Beautiful!

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Thanks James! Here in Orkney, dusk is known as 'the grimlings' or 'grimleens'. I've been wondering if 'rim' is part of the word's root, although its origin would likely be Norse.

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Fab! So it's still being used there. I think rim was almost the same in Old Norse as in Germanic English.

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Ah that makes sense then! It's still used in Orcadian dialect. It's also in some place names here, eg Grimbister, Grimsetter. I'll keep an ear out for other examples now!

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This is fucking brilliant.

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Thank you Kara!

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I love the way a single word can carry us into an entirely new territory of being. Thank you for this beautifully rich introduction. I look forward to following you to the wudrima.

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Thank you Ash

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What a BEAUTIFUL piece of writing

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Thank you Jo. Much appreciated.

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Fascinating content, wonderful writing, James. You've written your own Mercian Hymn: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48461/mercian-hymns

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Finally I understand a Geoffrey Hill poem! Thank you for the link Jeffrey.

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Beautifully written, and fascinating in its sourcing and researching.

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Thank you Jean!

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As a Farmer or I like to see myself as an intermediary between the seeds I plant,nature and life. I share with you the amount of energy one put's into the creative process. I love to support your work in the future as for now the season is about to start and with that the costs that goes with it. I love this post, its inspiring. John

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Thank you John. If you subscribe to the free version I can upgrade you to paid for a time if you'd like to read more. J

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How could I not subscribe to such great writing and essays. All done. Thank you James.

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Thanks David!

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A lovely piece. I have a friend called Rima(!) and just shared this with her :)

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Thank you Jas

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A very visual and descriptive interpretation into the semantics of the word Rima. I am already intrigued by the many roads I have never traveled, with words or in paintings.

All I know of Mercia is from one of my favorite series, The Last Kingdom.

I look forward to it.

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Thank you. I love that series too!

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So looking forward to the Rima journey: your missives from Into the Deep Woods have been the highlight of my week - and to steal from another author, frequently 'pierce my soul' in their beauty and thoughtfulness.

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Thanks Melanie. That is very kind of you.

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It sounds amazing and your writing pulls one in.

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Thank you.

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A lovely piece of writing and a fascinating project. I will definitely be joining you on the journey 🙂

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Thank you Gill. First story coming up this Saturday. Hope you like it.

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