Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 04/10/2026When I woke up this morning there was fog, which meant beautifully water droplets picked out spider webs! 011
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 28/09/2026I have been reading laws relating to UK libraries. The 1964 Act was quite amazing, bringing free libraries to everyone. I now realise how important small school libraries in elementary schools were, before 1964. 031
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 26/09/2026It is very definitely a #Caturday! And a good day for preparing rain coats in the hope that it will rain. 0130
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Working Saturdays in the county local history room is quite lovely and reassuringly busy. People come in with various queries, delighted to be able to see historic documents and in some cases chat about them. And I'm very happy to chat about people's historical research and hear their interests. 011
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 12/09/2026I was asked by one of the archivists to do some research into a recently acquired document, dated 1847. I have found, amongst other things, their marriage certificate from 1845, a marriage settlement, the baptism of their daughter in '46. It gets more and more intriguing... What will I find today? 000
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 05/09/2026The first telephone conversation with my mother in law where she forgot who I am has just taken place. 😕 It had to happen eventually. 020
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 05/09/2026During lunch yesterday, an archivist asked me how I am enjoying my new job. Enormously, I said. For a start, no one has shouted at me. I feel safe at work, for the first time. I do also love working with other people who are enthused about history and where it is a requirement for working there. 030
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 02/09/2026It's going to be a good day. The first song I heard was Belle and Sebastian's The Boy with the Arab Strap, I bumped into a friend at the station so had a friendly first part of the journey and I need to directly apply PhD research at work today so have a file of notes with me.🙂 020
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 28/08/2026Do you think they make check lists to work through? 100
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 26/08/2026We have survived another annual holiday with my Mum. In some ways, it is not as painful now I know it will remind me of why I had to leave at 18 and that she is just as unpleasant and difficult towards my brother and our spouses. Happily for us, we are in accord and united by love. Teamwork! 160
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 22/08/2026What a perfect afternoon for mugs of tea in the garden after a day on the beach. 020
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 16/08/2026We had a fun family day at Kew Gardens today. After some difficulty in convincing my niece she would like the Princess of Wales glass house, she struck up quite a conversation with this fish! Afterwards I said I told her she'd like it. I got a glare.😅 011
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 15/08/2026I love my new job but it does mean significantly less time for academic work and admin. It is very frustrating to think how much more productive I might be in my limited time if I didn't spend so long waiting for the internet to be helpful or my computer to respond. 011
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 05/08/2026I'm answering an education history enquiry at work at the moment, about an open air school, which is very pleasing. I'm considering suggesting that they use @histedsocuk.bsky.social's Exe Libris. Would it be a conflict of interest or using my job to promote the work of the society?🤔 000
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 04/08/2026I'm shadowing on a guided tour tomorrow, with a view to delivering them myself. I looked at the attendee list and one person has the same name as someone I was at school with. I wonder if it is the same person? 000
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 03/08/2026At a dry, beige but still lovely Wisley with my Mum, nephew&niece and Mr Bond. Mum: it isn't that unusual for it to be this hot. It was hot &dry in the summer in Cider with Rosie and that was in the past. How many times do my brother and our spouses have to explain?! Why, how doesn't she understand? 010
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 30/07/2026I think Spiderman would be at home in the History of Gardens and Designed Landscapes seminar. 020
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 28/07/2026Unexpected bonus of my new commute: I get the same train in the morning as a former colleague, who I miss chatting to. We met on the platform with our coffees for a very jolly journey. 011
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 27/07/2026A friend's son, in the summer holidays between the lower and upper sixth, has asked if he can help out on our allotment. It is very useful to have his help in weeding and watering but even better is his enjoyment of being with plants and insects and sharing knowledge with him. He loves insects.🙂 040
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 26/07/2026Maybe take that up with the organisers then. 021
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 25/07/2026My attempts at growing sunflowers always get devoured by molluscs. I am envious of anyone who can grow them! 110
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 25/07/2026It was Saxon Fair day in Kingston today, including celebrating the Aethelstan's coronation and a little battle reenactment in the market. It turns out Saxons were a funky bunch as Aethelstan's procession was accompanied by the Kingston Community Drummers. Maybe not historically accurate but fun. 140
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 04/07/2026A great three days in Sheffield to explore childhood histories! And as ever, a thrill to hear from people from different countries and so the chance to share and discuss our work and ideas. 020
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 30/06/2026Can we be both friendly and morbid? I'm sure we can. 000
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 30/06/2026Shall we put you on the Life Cycles diary for around that time so we can celebrate? 100
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 28/06/2026Particularly when Prokofiev wrote it as a piece for children! Maybe it was my Dad's fault for doing too good a job at taking me off into the music. Then Dad had to go to the loo but it was an LP so he couldn't pause it. Little me thought the wolf was going to come out of the speakers. 000
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 28/06/2026Our local National Trust place has its summer local artists' sculpture exhibition on at the moment. I'm not really a fan of wolves (thanks to Peter & the Wolf and an overly active imagination as a toddler) but I think this piece should stay! 110
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 28/06/2026And the importance of local community events that provide a stage for young people in bands to take their first steps in public performance. St Peter's Woolton summer fair in that instance. 010
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 27/06/2026I'm trying to finish my PowerPoint slides for the Children's History Society conference and my computer is struggling with the heat more than me! Circles of doom all afternoon. 021
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 27/06/2026My mum grew up in 60's Liverpool and wasted the opportunities! She has the double LP for Paint Your Wagon, and soundtracks for Oklahoma and Jesus Christ Superstar and Monkees LP on vinyl. Dad has marching bands and classical music on vinyl. The best LP though was sounds of steam trains. 010
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 23/06/2026My first day in my new job! I'm now a heritage assistant in a history centre with archives that I used a lot in my doctoral research. This was very useful in my application and interview. And because it is an archive, it is temperature controlled! 😁 0110
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 22/06/2026My library colleagues (well, most of them) hosted a leaving tea party for me. I said it should be in the library garden as going out was ridiculously expensive and we could have a much better time on home turf. And we did! 010
Reposted by Dr Catherine FreemanIHR Life Cycles seminar @ihrlifecycles.bsky.social · 22/06/2026Re. 'Girls at the Margins in Renaissance Florence', 23rd June, 17:30 BST. It is far too hot to go into London so tomorrow's seminar with @drgillhistory.bsky.social will be Zoom only. You will need to register through the below link for the Zoom link. www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...history.ac.ukGirls at the Margins in Renaissance FlorenceLife-Cycles 056
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 20/06/2026My submission for this #Caturday Tarragon is very much enjoying the plants in pots no longer being in this tray and has declared it to be his. 070
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 20/06/2026I suspect British drivers who are also cyclists are very aware of how dangerous an SUV could be. 010
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 20/06/2026Oooh. Can the app hang the washing out and reliably predict the weather? That really would be exciting. 110
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 20/06/2026How is the new washing machine so much more exciting? 110
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 19/06/2026Or unable to read clear road signs. Probably your suggestion. 010
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 19/06/2026Driver who squeezed past me on my bicycle on a narrow stretch where it was my right of way: was it worth scratching your paintwork on my pannier? You just had to wait a few seconds for your turn. 110
Reposted by Dr Catherine FreemanIHR Life Cycles seminar @ihrlifecycles.bsky.social · 19/06/2026Once again we are at the last seminar of the year. @drgillhistory.bsky.social is the last speaker this year, with 'Girls at the Margins in Renaissance Florence'. Come along, on Zoom or to the IHR, to join us from 17:30 BST on 23rd. June. www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...history.ac.ukGirls at the Margins in Renaissance FlorenceLife-Cycles 032
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 18/06/2026As do I. I also like to spend time with like minded people, such as those who won't tell me to smile. We're in trouble. 000
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 18/06/2026It was my last day as a library assistant today. Pleasingly, the rota meant that I worked with one of the people who interviewed me for the post in July 2016 and carried out my induction. A satisfying circle. She looked rather sad. I kept saying that it's still my local library, I still need books. 041
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 17/06/2026I have delivered my last library story time for children, for the foreseeable future. It was a particularly good group this morning. The children spontaneously applauded me! They had also clapped when I opened the library. A good start to the day. 031
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 16/06/2026Time for a series of lasts. This morning, the last pop up library at the Community Hub, and the last Tuesday that I bake a cake for the Hub's free café. I've been baking for them since we started hosting the food bank in the church hall. Seeing it develop to a thriving group has been wonderful. 020
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 14/06/2026The delights of going to bed in midsummer when it is still light. It reminds me of being a small child. 020
Dr Catherine Freeman @catgqf.bsky.social · 14/06/2026We took my mother in law to Hestacombe today. It was such a lovely excursion for a Somerset summer afternoon. Driving across the Levels, beneath the enormous sky, the sounds, smells and colours were splendid. Then there, surrounded we were by peace as we walked through the gardens. 010