When He pronounces, 'verbal exchange for the day, done' - trying to be funny - at 09.10 am, presumably I can expect the rest of the day to be quiet ...?
Dr Karen McAulay
@karenmca.bsky.social
Musicologist historian, RCS Fellow, @iashedinburgh.bsky.social alumna. Athenaeum research award: Dundee's Leng Scots Song comp. 2 Routledge 'Music in C19th Britain' bks. Passable organist. https://karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/ Wary of folk w/o profiles!
Tracing the life of composer #RoseSmith karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2026/09/15/r...
Rose Played On (an Admirable Edwardian Musician)
Why do I persist in researching Rose Smith? I suspect my interest is partly because I see myself in her. Rose attended, and briefly taught at the Athenaeum. Throughout her life, she played, a…
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog
The tiniest embroidery project: a vintage transfer of a hornpipe-dancing sailor, about 5cm high! I don't think it was meant to be done in solid satin stitch 😉 #SewingSunday
Oh yes, I can. Hornpipe Sunday! karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2026/09/13/a...
A Wee Hornpipe on the Organ (Don’t Tell Me Not to Do Something!)
‘You can’t play THAT!’ I was told, as I headed out to practise. And although I can’t repeat the precise wording, the gist of the objection was that it was daft and inappropr…
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog
Call to action ? Change the bloomin law and make sure no one can buy influence in this way. The Representation of the People Bill is making its way through Parliament right now - amend it and fix this. Thats all the action thats needed. #UKLabour
Actually, I write my own papers, without AI, and wouldn't even want a human to edit what I'd written before I submitted it. I can write, can't I? I must be dreadfully #OldSchool!
Ben Williamson@benpatrickwill.bsky.social · 5d agoEveryone knows AI-written academic papers are embarrassing now, including their "authors", which is why even the publishers - who stand to benefit most from AI-amplified publication volumes - are now offering "Affordable human expert editing for AI-drafted or AI-edited manuscripts" 🤯
✨ This is a sign to take a moment for yourself today. Even small acts of self-care can make a big difference to your mental health. Our helpline is always here for you. 📞 Call us, we’ll listen: 08000 562 561. 📷 Stacie Swift
Never too old to learn - glad I kept my 40-year old sewing machine instructions. I'd never have thought that an imperceptibly bent or blunt needle would have been the cause of this afternoon's frustration! Now, where was I?
Friday is 'not one of my working days'. He's right. But after loads of washing, ironing, hoovering & changing the bed this morning - good thing I have the afternoon to finish the rest of my 'non-work', which of course he says is ALL done by modern technology, not actually me at all ...
Snow White Dancing with the Seven Dwarfs
Alt: Snow White Dancing with the Seven Dwarfs
static.klipy.com
That #haiku needs a follow-up! Soft refreshing rain Weeps with me as I concede My quest was in vain! karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2026/09/10/c...
Chasing the Wrong Man
I came to Edinburgh to see a poetry collection. I’ve seen the book before, but this was a copy presented by the ‘poetess’ [poet] to a friend, whom I’d discovered was a…
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog
Dr Karen McAulay@karenmca.bsky.social · 7d ago#Haiku for a poet:- The golden sunrise Beckons me east in my quest: Mary-Ann awaits. @byleaveswelive.bsky.social
He wasn't #MrRight! I made a trip to Edinburgh, only to discover Mary Ann DIDN'T give a copy of her book to a Glasgow publisher ... but someone entirely different. karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2026/09/10/c...
Chasing the Wrong Man
I came to Edinburgh to see a poetry collection. I’ve seen the book before, but this was a copy presented by the ‘poetess’ [poet] to a friend, whom I’d discovered was a…
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog
#Haiku for a poet:- The golden sunrise Beckons me east in my quest: Mary-Ann awaits. @byleaveswelive.bsky.social
Welcome to my world (the part when I'm an organist!) #LastVerses #PullingOutTheStops karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2026/09/09/h...
How an Organist Writes a Fancy ‘Last Verse’ Arrangement for a Hymn Tune
This is my second podcast. In my previous podcast, I discussed a musicological topic – the career of the Glasgow Athenaeum School of Music’s second Principal (Edward E Harper), and his …
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog
I'm past my midlife crisis! Did a PhD, submitted it aged 50 (midlife, yes?). Resumed scholarly career that I should never have abandoned aged 24. What #MidlifeCrisis?
Karen Attiah@karenattiah.bsky.social · last wk.What are you doing with your midlife existential crisis? No wrong answers. Just trying to see something, as the kids say.
They're now just targeting random groups of dark-skinned people. What's going to have to happen before the government starts taking this seriously? www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/politic...
Protestors confuse Pakistan cricket team for migrants after gathering at hotel
Misinformation caused groups of people to gather at The Marriott Hotel
portsmouth.co.uk
Urghh. #Pettiness! WHY are there tiny different specks in the instant coffee? At some point I filled the jar from a different refill pack. WHAT ON EARTH DID I DO THAT FOR? This is why I constantly get into trouble 🙃
I have recorded my second-ever #podcast! Listen up, if you're interested in what church organists actually do ... and how ... karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2026/09/09/h...
How an Organist Writes a Fancy ‘Last Verse’ Arrangement for a Hymn Tune
This is my second podcast. In my previous podcast, I discussed a musicological topic – the career of the Glasgow Athenaeum School of Music’s second Principal (Edward E Harper), and his …
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog
I believe I should have hashtagged this, #GarmentSewing. I ordered some thin roll-necks to wear underneath the dress. Gotta wear it somehow!
Dr Karen McAulay@karenmca.bsky.social · last wk.Dress finished ✅️. Top just needs a few handsewn stitches.
Dress finished ✅️. Top just needs a few handsewn stitches.
New on advance articles "Microhistory and Women's Time Use" by Jane Humphries @oxhistoryfaculty.bsky.social #OpenAccess academic.oup.com/past/advance...
Made a faultless dinner. Then let myself down by not hearing something said to me whilst I was outside the door. #HearingImpaired #Inattention apparently.
It's not me. 1.This afternoon, I'm told an insignificant wee caption makes no sense. 2.Then, as I listen to Handel, the singer is dismissed as 'wobbly'. (Bryn Terfel!) 3. Now the lasagne I'm making is deemed suspect, because I'm using a frying pan for the mince. The asylum inmates drive me crazy!
Apparently, my wording "doesn't make much sense." Check it out for me, please? #IBelieveInMe karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2026/09/06/o...
One Organist to Another: “Have you got a ‘Last Verse’ for Groeswen?”
It sounds like a coded message between members of a secret fraternity, doesn’t it? Nothing so scandalous, I’m afraid! Groeswen is a magnificent Welsh hymn tune composed by John Ambrose …
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog
Organist's playtime: if you can't find it, write it yourself! karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2026/09/06/o... #Organist #LastVerse #Groeswen
One Organist to Another: “Have you got a ‘Last Verse’ for Groeswen?”
It sounds like a coded message between members of a secret fraternity, doesn’t it? Nothing so scandalous, I’m afraid! Groeswen is a magnificent Welsh hymn tune composed by John Ambrose …
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog
I'm a church organist. But when it comes to playing the piano in a conference at a conservatoire, I'm more terrified than my younger self would have been in an ABRSM music exam! karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog/2026/09/04/r... #StageFright
Risk-Taking, My Way
Today was the final day of the Women and Musical Histories conference at the Royal Academy of Music. It has been both enjoyable, and highly informative, and there was enough live music to mak…
karenmcaulaymusicologist.blog