Oh, this brought tears to my eyes -- and I feel like this story will have a happier ending than a lot of similar folk tales. I was always so sad when the selkie or the swan-maid or what have you had to leave because the man was harsh or too greedy. I think Duncan will be wiser than them -- and if he's not, Old Kate will make sure he knows it!
The blue thread was Isabella. And Duncan never imprisoned her. Love felt possible after love had departed, even without knowing the true name, only holding the hand. A beautiful piece of folklore.
Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask you where in Scotland your husband is from. I have a sister in Edinburgh, a brother in Fife, and my dad lives in a small village called Findhorn, near Inverness.
Oh that’s so cool! Husband was born in Banff and his family still lives up in the north-east, around Aberdeen. I’ve never been (I met him here in the States) but I really hope to visit someday!
Wow, that’s actually pretty close to my dad. I wasn’t familiar with a town of that name in Scotland. I thought Banff, Alberta (Canada), was the only one. I’m guessing the Scottish one was the first! I grew up in Vancouver, BC, up in your part of the world. 😊
"The meadows were purple and white with the blooming heather and the wild thyme, and the clear summer air was alive with the humming of the bees. The fields were tall with barley and oats, still green." Beautiful. Thank you. A vivid modern fairytale--but with no finger-chopping or eye-gouging!
I wonder if "ingle" is related to "England" somehow, linguistically? But that's a tangent; this was a perfect story, and I admit I was hoping Duncan would choose to go back and ask Ingle to marry him. I bet they'll make it too, marriage-wise.
I *think* England comes from Angle-Land, from an old race of people. But big cosy fireplaces are still called inglenooks in certain parts of the country.
‘Ingle’ comes from Gaelic for ‘light’, I believe. The Angles were a Germanic tribe who invaded Britain at the same time as the Saxons (thus Anglo-Saxon). ☺️
Oh, this brought tears to my eyes -- and I feel like this story will have a happier ending than a lot of similar folk tales. I was always so sad when the selkie or the swan-maid or what have you had to leave because the man was harsh or too greedy. I think Duncan will be wiser than them -- and if he's not, Old Kate will make sure he knows it!
dreamy and delicious
Loved this!
What a beautiful story! I’m reading it a few days late, but it’s just as potent!
The blue thread was Isabella. And Duncan never imprisoned her. Love felt possible after love had departed, even without knowing the true name, only holding the hand. A beautiful piece of folklore.
Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask you where in Scotland your husband is from. I have a sister in Edinburgh, a brother in Fife, and my dad lives in a small village called Findhorn, near Inverness.
Oh that’s so cool! Husband was born in Banff and his family still lives up in the north-east, around Aberdeen. I’ve never been (I met him here in the States) but I really hope to visit someday!
Scotland is definitely worth a visit. As you know, the people are lovely. 😊
Wow, that’s actually pretty close to my dad. I wasn’t familiar with a town of that name in Scotland. I thought Banff, Alberta (Canada), was the only one. I’m guessing the Scottish one was the first! I grew up in Vancouver, BC, up in your part of the world. 😊
Beautiful! Paints a wonderful picture of the countryside. I love the reverence for the fire and kilns too.
"The meadows were purple and white with the blooming heather and the wild thyme, and the clear summer air was alive with the humming of the bees. The fields were tall with barley and oats, still green." Beautiful. Thank you. A vivid modern fairytale--but with no finger-chopping or eye-gouging!
On this midsummer day, with the turn of the great wheel grinding low like a heartbeat, this story is magic. Thank you, and solstice blessings to you.
And to you, Liz! Thank you for reading! 💙
Love the references to folklore! Will have to read up on them! Thanks for such an entertaining story.
Brilliant and very entertaining!
Oh, this is so, so beautiful! ❤️
I wonder if "ingle" is related to "England" somehow, linguistically? But that's a tangent; this was a perfect story, and I admit I was hoping Duncan would choose to go back and ask Ingle to marry him. I bet they'll make it too, marriage-wise.
Thanks so much for reading, Michael! Good question about Ingle; I feel a linguistic research rabbit-hole beckoning. 😂
I *think* England comes from Angle-Land, from an old race of people. But big cosy fireplaces are still called inglenooks in certain parts of the country.
‘Ingle’ comes from Gaelic for ‘light’, I believe. The Angles were a Germanic tribe who invaded Britain at the same time as the Saxons (thus Anglo-Saxon). ☺️
Wait: is THAT where the name Ingleside comes from, as in Anne of Ingleside, sequel to Anne of Green Gables? WHOA