Author Archives: rpg

About rpg

Scientist, poet, gadfly

Three Little Birds

Posted on 28 May 2024 by rpg

I’ve said elsewhere that our garden is a wildlife paradise. Turns out that the house is, too. I often see our family of robins just outside the kitchen door, by the hen house. I’ve taken to shaking the hen feeder … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in bees, birds, hens, nature, robin, wren | Comments Off on Three Little Birds

Paperback Writer

Posted on 21 May 2024 by rpg

I made a list. I’m doing quite well with it—ticked off more than half, and others are ‘in progress’. I’m not going to finish it before I start work again, but I’ve given myself permission not to get through everything, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in 15MinutePost, Lablit, Literature, Me | Comments Off on Paperback Writer

We need medicine

Posted on 13 May 2024 by rpg

I caught up with Wanda on Friday. She’d managed to inspect the captured swarm the day before, and all seemed hunky-dory. No eggs yet, but you can expect to wait a couple of weeks before a newly mated queen will … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in bees, nature, neem, science, witchdoctor | Comments Off on We need medicine

Learning to fly

Posted on 5 May 2024 by rpg

I’ve written at length about our hens. What I may not have mentioned is that last year we got a hive, and some bees to go in it.  The bees did what bees do, and we had a few jars … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in bees, Gardening, hens, nature, Zimbabwe | Comments Off on Learning to fly

Higher

Posted on 29 April 2024 by rpg

This is a cross-post of something I wrote on LinkedIn. One of the most fun projects I’ve been involved in was the series of global Annual Brand Meetings we ran for a client. In partnership with the client we would … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in client, Me, Powerpoint, War stories, work | Comments Off on Higher

I’m still standing

Posted on 21 April 2024 by rpg

Big Vet doesn’t want you to read this post. Chickens, famously, do not have teeth. Instead they have gizzards, A gizzard is a kind of bag betwixt beak and stomach in which foodstuff is ground by little bits of stone … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in bra, chicken, Cock, Don't try this at home, Gardening, hens, nature | Comments Off on I’m still standing

Sweet home Alabama [2]

Posted on 14 April 2024 by rpg

It never ends. There’s always something to do, whether it’s laying turf, repairing hoses, or pulling up the wild onions. I’m taking advantage of the unexpected time off to fix things around the house and garden. In the best traditions … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Birthday, grapes, Me, offspring, Pawns, personal, pizza, Science-less Sunday, Spring, wild onions, wine | Comments Off on Sweet home Alabama [2]

The Times They Are A-Changin’

Posted on 7 April 2024 by rpg

Hard to believe, but 4 years ago we were in lockdown. Bit of a shit time, really, with scary NHS bears yelling at us to STAY HOME, schools shut, people being shouted at for being (gasp) outside, and all that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Don't try this at home, fucking scary NHS bears, Joshua, Lockdown, offspring, Science-less Sunday, treehouse | Comments Off on The Times They Are A-Changin’

This is what we find

Posted on 31 March 2024 by rpg

While making Richard’s Famous Margaritas(tm) (note to self: post this on Magirism at some point) this afternoon, I had to clear the Triple Sec optic from the sugary lunge build-up. After cleaning, I picked up the wrong receptacle and dropped … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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The Country Life

Posted on 24 March 2024 by rpg

I set up a WhatsApp group for the locals, so I can let them know when I have eggs available. “Hello Richard!” they’ll message, “Any eggs available today?” At this time of year, with an average of 4 eggs daily, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in 15MinutePost, community, eggs, Gardening, nature, potatoes, Spring | Comments Off on The Country Life