Sign in

Moira

@moirabanks.bsky.social
124 followers 124 following 90 posts

Lazy human, champion procrastinator, socially awkward, Impostor Living in dreamland since 1957. ‘I am out with lanterns, looking for myself.’ Emily Dickinson

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Moira
James Bailey @drjamesbailey.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
One more thing! An excerpt from my biography of Spark, LIKE A CAT LOVES A BIRD, has just been published in the Pittsburgh Review of Books (@pghreviewofbooks.bsky.social), for those who like that sort of thing: pghrev.com/muriel-spark...
pghrev.com
Muriel Sparks' Life During Wartime - Pittsburgh Review of Books
‘Long ago in 1945, all the nice people in England were poor, allowing for exceptions.’ So begins Muriel Spark’s 1963 novel, the slim and elegantly savage The
0113
Reposted by Moira
James Bailey @drjamesbailey.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Rereading: The Driver’s Seat by Muriel Spark
Word count of article exceeds limit of the text box. Please get in touch if you’d like me to send you a copy of the text.
2353
Reposted by Moira
James Bailey @drjamesbailey.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
I’m in The Times today! I've written about Muriel Spark's The Driver's Seat, obeying your own 'queer dictatorial sense’, and scaring yourself to death while writing. Scarier still, I've just taken off my cap to find I’ve been left with a hairstyle reminiscent of Dido in her early-00s heyday.
Me, holding a copy of The Times, featuring an article with the headline ‘Rereading: The Driver’s Seat by Muriel Spark’. My hair is flicking out to the side.
510111
Reposted by Moira
James Bailey @drjamesbailey.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Hello, I’ve an event for my Muriel Spark biography next Weds (15th) at Waterstones Liverpool. We’ve sold barely any tickets, however, and it might be cancelled as a result. Please get a ticket if you’re nearby - it’ll be a lot of fun, and I’ll bring badges! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/waterstone...
A picture of me, accompanied by the text: JAMES BAILEY
IN CONVERSATION WITH JESS WHITE AT WATERSTONES LIVERPOOL
WEDNESDAY 15 JULY 6.30PM
The Nine Lives of Muriel Spork
5 cat-shaped badges, with text reading Muriel Spark Fan Club, pinned to a shirt
8111137
Reposted by Moira
Association for Scottish Literature @asls.org.uk · 21/06/2026
Words of the Wild Deadline 12 July 2026 @scotwildlife.bsky.social’s nature writing competition is back for a third year, & the 2026 theme is “changing seasons”. Submissions can be in English, Gaelic, or Scots, up to 1,000 words, & written in any form. scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/wordsofthewi...
scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk
Words of the Wild Competition | Scottish Wildlife Trust
Enter this year's Words of the Wild nature writing competition - over £2,000-worth of wildlife prizes to be won!
053
Reposted by Moira
Scots Language Centre @scotslanguage.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Could you scrieve aboot the simmer-haar comin aff the watter in June, how mochie it can get in August, ir the dubbs oan the road in October? Hae a look at @scotwildlife.bsky.social's competition, whaur ye can pit in an entry in Scots, Gaelic ir English. scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/wordsofthewi...
scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk
Words of the Wild | Scottish Wildlife Trust
In celebration of our 60th anniversary, our Words of the Wild campaign encourages everyone to share their nature stories.
0127
Reposted by Moira
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 22/04/2026
🔴 NEW: Over $1bn in North Sea oil and gas profits have flowed to an Israeli firm blacklisted by the UN for its activities in the West Bank. More could follow if Rosebank is approved. Read our latest investigation 👉 bit.ly/4cBuX7R
04434
Reposted by Moira
sujato @sujato.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Seems a good time to repost this: Indian women celebrating their successful Mars flyby. One of these sarees is now in the Smithsonian! www.si.edu/object/saree...
Women in sarees hugging and celebrating that successful Mars flyby of the Indian Space Agency.
229028
Reposted by Moira
Kim Wexler's Ponytail 🐝💛🎗 @madisonkittay.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Look at all that DEI sending astronauts around the moon.
270139562936
Moira @moirabanks.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Peek-a-boo
000
Moira @moirabanks.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Doing time
000
Reposted by Moira
Memorial Device @memorialdevice.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
Worth saying out loud: Foreign mass murdering criminals like Trump and Netanyahu are given state visits and welcomed with open arms while British citizens are jailed and criminalised for holding up placards protesting against genocide.
217136
Moira @moirabanks.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
Playing a sweet tune to accompany your road trip.
010
Reposted by Moira
Dinah Rose KC @dinahrose.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
My niece in Stonehaven, near Aberdeen, has made a snow dalek that's featured in the Aberdeen Press and Journal. #proudaunt
A magnificently detailed dalek made of snow, complete with sink plunger.
593076529
Reposted by Moira
Labrador-Lover1🇪🇺🇵🇹🇬🇧🔸💚 @labrador-lover1.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
We have this too. Where Shemima Begum, who was groomed as a school girl. Made poor choices. Has subsequently lost her children. Yet the British press blame her. She is a victim. Farage, at the same age was accused of racism. But we are told”he was just a kid!”
2116
Reposted by Moira
Association for Scottish Literature @asls.org.uk · 31/12/2025
Wha knocks at my door this Hogmanay? A cannie young lassie, limber and gay. Lips o’ mine, e’en o’ mine— Come ben, come ben tho’ ye’re deid lang syne… —Marion Angus, “Hogmanay” THE SINGIN LASS (1929) #poem #poetry #Hogmanay digital.nls.uk/works-by-sel...
Hogmanay
Marion Angus

Wha knocks at my door this Hogmanay?
A cannie young lassie, limber and gay.
Lips o’ mine, e’en o’ mine—
Come ben, come ben tho’ ye’re deid lang syne.

Whaur ha’e ye tint yir Sabbath shoon?
The fiddles is tuned and a’ the toon
Is kissin’ and courtin’ and dancin’-fey
Tae the screich o’ the reels on Hogmanay.

When the stars blaw oot an’ the mune grauws wan,
It’s ower the hills wi’ a bonny young man
Whaur the floo’er o’ love springs thorny an’ sweet—
And tho’ an auld wife maun awhilie greet
Ye’ll aye gang limber an’ licht an’ free—
Canny bit lassie that aince wis me.
02310
Reposted by Moira
Lyndsey Croal (she/her) @lyndseycroal.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
In This City, Where it Rains is part of the 25% off B&N pre-order sale for next couple days! Scottish gothic horror with ghosts that appear in the rain, a cursed city, strange rituals and weird moths is out on Feb 3rd from @lunapress.bsky.social ! 🖤🏚️🦋 www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-this-ci...
 B&N Pre-Order Sale! 
Promo Code: Preorder25
Ends 1/1
075
Moira @moirabanks.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
‘Thank you, said the three bridges to the sun, thank you for the beautiful marmalade sky. You’re welcome, said the sun, and just out of sight, his love the moon knew it was also for her, giving her the light she needed to allow her to slip into her silver gown.’
000
Reposted by Moira
Ink Sweat & Tears @inksweatandtears.co.uk · 27/12/2025
On the Seventh Day of Christmas we bring you @pennyblackburn.bsky.social , @fionalarkin.bsky.social, @ruthhiggins.bsky.social. Read their work here: inksweatandtears.co.uk/on-the-seven... #InkSweatAndTears #FeaturedPoem #ChristmasPoem #12DaysOf
Burgundy background with a night sky running down the centre. Fir boughs decorated with red and gold ribbons, berries and bows adorn the corners. Text overlaying the night sky reads: 

On The Seventh Day of Christmas.

What the Woodcutter
Knows About Midwinter
Penny Blackburn

The Approach
of the Cailleach
Fiona Larkin

At the year’s midnight
Ruth Higgins
084
Moira @moirabanks.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
Pink meets Pink: a love story.
000
Reposted by Moira
Davenant 📸 @marcdavenant.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
Democracy dies in darkness. Getting the below post seen by as many people as possible would be very helpful 👇
11417
Reposted by Moira
Ross Greer (he/him) @ross-greer.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Posh prick launches racist attack on Scottish children the day before coming to Scotland... Can't wait for Reform's only MSP to explain this latest bullshit from his boss.
National front page: Farage attacks Glasgow pupils for being bilingual - but is fine with his own children all speaking 'perfect German'
611244
Reposted by Moira
Big Issue @bigissue.com · 04/12/2025
A homeless tent village on London's Strand is to be demolished. Photographer Marc Davenant captured the stories of the people who live there.
bigissue.com
What a row over a tent village in London says about the homelessness crisis
04921
Reposted by Moira
Thomas S Brown @tomsbrown.bsky.social · 22/11/2025
All support from here!!
062
Moira @moirabanks.bsky.social · 22/11/2025
…and the breeze through the cables of the bridge hummed, and vibrated. This was his love song to the moon.
020
Reposted by Moira
Anne Roberts @anneroberts54.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
2215
Reposted by Moira
Joanne - Portobello Book Blog @portybelle.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
Sense and Sensibility is mine - what's yours? 30 Day Book Challenge - Day 14 - Your Favourite Classic #30DayBookChallenge #November2025 #BookRecommendations #BookSky #SecretLibraryBookBlog secretlibrarybookblog.com/2025/11/14/3... via @nickimags.bsky.social
secretlibrarybookblog.com
30 Day Book Challenge – Day 14 – Your Favourite Classic #30DayBookChallenge #November2025 #BookRecommendations #BookSky #SecretLibraryBookBlog
I do love a book challenge, so I’ve joined in with this one after spotting it on Bluesky. Day 14 – Your favourite classic A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, performed by Tom Baker. …
321
Reposted by Moira
Joanne - Portobello Book Blog @portybelle.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
30 Day Book Challenge - Day 12 - A Book With A Word One Title #30DayBookChallenge #November2025 #BookRecommendations #BookSky #SecretLibraryBookBlog secretlibrarybookblog.com/2025/11/12/3... via @nickimags.bsky.social
secretlibrarybookblog.com
30 Day Book Challenge – Day 12 – A Book With A Word One Title #30DayBookChallenge #November2025 #BookRecommendations #BookSky #SecretLibraryBookBlog
I do love a book challenge, so I’ve joined in with this one after spotting it on Bluesky. Day 12 – A book with a one word title Nemesis is book 4 in the brilliant DS Walker series by P…
131
Moira @moirabanks.bsky.social · 02/11/2025
Perhaps I have captured Charon..
Line paddleboarder on inshore waters that is Cloaked in haar. Rocky shore in foreground
081
Moira @moirabanks.bsky.social · 02/11/2025
Stranger on the shore
020
Reposted by Moira
Alison M @alisonm.bsky.social · 26/10/2025
For #31DaysOfGraves day 26: figure. The first day after clock change and the first proper chilly weekend here in Scotland, so here's a frosty figure from Cathcart Cemetery here in Glasgow.
A frosty gravestone in low winter light. A woman in flowing robes reaches up towards some flowers that are carved above her head.
1419
Moira @moirabanks.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
Seasonal pic for today Red berries feed her grave Dropping through her iron cage Red berries taste like wine My forever valentine #poetry ?
Graveyard pic out of focus. Tree branch with some red berries in foreground. Grave in background with iron grill covering it. Leaves scattered on grass
040
Moira @moirabanks.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Seasonal pic of the day. Reaching, yearning, searching The parts of my body Now changing Shifting with time Unfamiliar but still familiar I am still rooted #poetry
Black and white picture of tree with many vines around the trunk
010
Moira @moirabanks.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
Jumping over the moon is not exclusively for Cows
010
Moira @moirabanks.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
Today’s seasonal pic
A headstone in the shape of a cross, laying on the ground among fallen leave. Edited in black and white in low light with some sepia tone at the bottom
010
Moira @moirabanks.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
The air was filled with the sight and sound of migratory birds. They land ,and I try to capture them as they surveyed a small loch, my camera lens whirs in to focus and they take flight. This clumsy lumbering human is no match for their grace and beauty.
Pink footed geese take flight across grass
000
Moira @moirabanks.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
Pink Floyd album cover reimagined
020
Reposted by Moira
womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
In 2021 Afghan women started an online campaign to protest the Taliban's female dress code by posting photos of what traditional Afghan clothes look like #AfghanWomen #WomensArt
Photo of a small standing girl facing forwardsl in a purple dress with colourful embroidered details and an embroidered cap
0787166
Moira @moirabanks.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
Overcast Dunbar and Bass Rock, the gloom only adds to its beauty imo
Seascape sand in foreground, sea, and then a lump of rock known as the Bass Rock. Seabird colony. Overcast grey late afternoon.
000
Moira @moirabanks.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
This is the poetry of the night faeries
000
Moira @moirabanks.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
Decay
Partially collapsed cone shaped pointed roof with cockerel weather vane on top. Black and white image
000
Reposted by Moira
womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 11/10/2025
US activist Angela Davis and novelist Toni Morrison walking together in 1974, by photographer Jill Krementz #womensart #BlackHistoryMonth US
Monochrome photograph of two Black women walking down a street towards the viewer, the subject to the right looks at the other as if in conversation, while the other looks down as if listening
01028182
Moira @moirabanks.bsky.social · 11/10/2025
Moon River
000
Moira @moirabanks.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
Little bird Head tucked under wing Like Geisha behind painted silk fan #Poetry #Bluskypoetry
010
Reposted by Moira
Nick Ray @nicklifeafloat.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
10th October and it’s World Mental Health Day. Keep talking. Keep listening. Keep being kind (to yourself and others). We are Nature and I’ve found this is where I heal best. Love to you all.
219627
Reposted by Moira
womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
Girl in the East Wind with Ravens Passing the Moon, 1893 by Glasgow School artist Frances MacDonald #WomensArt
Painting of a stylised white woman in a pale green dress standing facing left in front of a full moon as five or more ravens fly past to the left against a dark sky
0797126
Moira @moirabanks.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
Goddess Moon: Casting cool spells
000
Moira @moirabanks.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
I always see this as a woman wearing a headscarf. Somewhere near St Abbs.
Stone archway entrance with a head at the top, partially obscured by vines. Trees sit behind. Black and white photo.
000
Moira @moirabanks.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
The Athens of the North bids adieu to the Sun God
000
Reposted by Moira
The Ferret @theferret.scot · 29/09/2025
When Angus Council said Edzell’s 2012 flood caused “minimal” damage, locals disagreed. They formed a flood group, pulled their own figures, and got organised. Here’s what happened next: theferret.scot/new-a...
A leafless tree stands in the middle of floodwater, its bare branches spreading wide against the grey surface of the water. White text overlay reads: “It takes a village: a new approach to living with flooding.”
051