For several days now I’ve been meaning to take the camera on my walk to the Uni. We’ve enjoyed generally sunny weather, and, when the weather is clear, Edinburgh offers some really terrific views. From the top of Calton Hill (which I cross when I take route-B; more on my routes to the Uni some other time) I can see out across New Town to the Firth of Forth, across the Forth to Kirkcaldy on the north, and, when it’s exceptionally clear, maybe even to Norway on the east…ok, not quite that far, but you get the point. Calton Hill affords an expansive view of the city, and I need to get some shots soon before the weather turns into fog and dreariness. For whatever reason, in all my intentions to take the camera, I never considered that I would want to capture Edinburgh by night, but tonight, as I left New College, I wished I had that camera. Oh, the view was marvelous. To the west were the remnants of yet another dying day. Where the sun had disappeared over the horizon, only soft oranges and warm purples remained. To the north were the dazzling lights of the bustling city. And, most impressively, to the east was the (nearly) full moon rising just over the spires of an old building. From my vantage, it looked as though the moon risked being speared by the spires. The sight stopped me still. For a moment I drank in the unexpected beauty; the next moment I started kicking myself for forgetting the camera. Maybe tomorrow.
Other news #1: Jackie worked five days last week, and she’s scheduled for five this week. We’re grateful for the work. God is meeting our needs. But, we’re praying for a different job–something more suited to Jackie’s experience, interests, and gifts. Do pray with us if you think of it.
Other news #2: I’m on the road to a new thesis proposal. More on this when I can more neatly summarize the ideas that currently are making for a very messy room in my brain.
Other news #3: I have two trivia questions. 1) Do you know the American equivalent of ‘black treacle’? 2) What’s grey, about 2 inches long, and recently left our freezer for the dumpster? I’m asking these questions primarily as a teaser for a future post, but also to gauge our readership. If you know the answers, leave a comment. Can we get 10, 15, 20 comments?
bits 'n bobs 
Psh. You’re so comment-greedy. Pretentious film blogs rarely even crack 10 comments on a post. But to answer your questions, (1) everyone knows a black treacle equivocates as a malignant dermatological growth, usually located on abdomen. Their changing hues have led medical circles to coin them “moles of a different color.” (2) You finally threw out that little owl pellet you found in Madrid. You’ve always been sentimental about such things.
We had the exact same experience a few days ago when we encountered a breath-taking sunset on our way home, coinciding with the only day we forgot our camera. How disappointing! We will be praying for Jackie’s work!
It’s hard to top Zach’s guess, but could it be a black substance that drips from trees in Scotland, that can freeze into a nasty looking icicle when it gets cold (hence, tree-acle)?
For number 2, please don’t tell me you’re talking about haggis!
Does readership from across Calton Hill count? I love getting comments on our blog, so I am happy to comment on yours as well! I have an unfair advantage in knowing what black treacle is based on my own excursions here, so I’ll keep quiet and see what kind of guesses your readers can come up with. Trivia #2 has me stumped, and a bit worried for you and Jackie. : )
1)Sounds like coffee, which may be a boring answer, but it’s nicer than what the guys have come up with so far. Don’t worry, I’ll make up for my ‘nice’ guess with my next guess.
2)It’s not a tongue is it? The first thing I thought of was those nasty tongues they have in jars at the grocery store. How one would end up in your freezer, I don’t know. Perhaps a previous tenant? Or perhaps it was the cheapest thing for sale at the farmers market and after buying it you couldn’t bring yourselves to eat it, which would be a wise decision, in my opinion.
Hey you guys, we’re reading and enjoying. Although I have to admit sometimes I get so homesick for Scotland reading your blog that I only reserve it for those moments when I can indulge a bit in nostalgia. Reading about your walk to and from school just makes me sigh – there is nothing in the world like Edinburgh. We’re so glad the Lord is going before you – enjoy every single minute!
Wow. Don’t have a clue. But we sure do love the updates when we get to a computer. Keep them comin’.
Far be it from us to spoil the fun! Leave it to the creativity of the higher-educated readers. We loved the “tree-cle” idea. We continue to pray for the best employment situation for Jackie and your thesis topic. How did the “Country Bread” turn out?
I have really enjoyed reading y’all’s updates, though I have yet to check out those pretentious film blogs…it’s all about human interest, Zach! Black Treacle sounds like licorice gone to the dark side…and might the couple of frozen grey inches be a mouse?! We’ve been having a mouse problem at the Log Cabin, so they’re on the brain. Praying for you both.
Thanks for writing about your life there. Keep up the great descriptions, for those of of who’ve never been to Scotland…..what’s that you say? I’m the only person you know who hasn’t been to Scotland? Sad, but true.
1) How about a black moss-like food that’s crunchy (Picutre Popeye eating a huge bite, with some hanging out of his mouth…)
2)A big, really dirty ice cube. Or a silverfish. I’m sure it’s grosser than that.
isn’t black treacle a syrup? (“half a pound of tuppeny rice, half a pound of treacle; mix it up and make it nice–pop goes the weasel!)…
and i’d have to guess the grey matter was a leftover burrito from home, as I’m sure good Mexican food might be hard to find in Scotland.
okay, I don’t know what the american equivalent to treacle is. Probably, like the delightful, spreadable yeast compound called Marmite, it should stay in Britain where it belongs. However, there is a great Jeeves and Wooster episode involving treacle, brown paper, and breaking a window.
I am joining in on the mouse theory. I wouldn’t be surprised if one figured out a way to get into your freezer. They are ingenious little vermin.
When I was a kid reading books set in the UK and I read about treacle tarts and treacle puddings, I always imagined that treacle was like molasses. But I also imagined that (like Turkish delight) it would have been a disappointment to someone used to the sort of sweets we have here. Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s not anywhere near as good as Jackie’s 12-alarm bread pudding, for example.
Was the second thing some kind of frozen worm?
Well, I am sitting here in my living room with my children since they have the day off of school. For #1 we have come up with spam in America and Vegimite in Australia.
And I agree with a previous post on I am worried about Jackie on #2 🙂
We love you two and are praying for both the job and the thesis.
Cynthia
No clue on #1 but, surely, #2 is easy: it’s something you picked up in high school during one of Dr. Rogland’s zoological walkabouts on the limpid, sodden beaches of Whidbey Island. He convinced you it was a rare delicacy … and it’s taken you this long to come to your senses and PITCH IT! (Honestly, sushi is grand but doesn’t a frozen “something” now nine years old fail the sanity test?)
Hey, I am sitting here splitting my sides with laughter from all thr theories about black treacle. Your friends surely have a sense of humor! Unfortunately, I don’t have a clue as to what it could be! Do enlighten us when you decide what it is!
On another subject I am disappointed you aren’t going with Ezekiel for your thesis, as I just finished reading it and have TONS of questions about the book that you might be able to answer for me.
I guess I will have to wait ubtill I an “promoted” to Heaven.
Hi, Grandma.
Glad to be the conduit for your daily laugh. Wanted to let you know that I am still working on Ezekiel, just not on the specific topic that I’d originally intended. Don’t know if you’ll check this comment, so I’ll email with more detail.