For many years my mother couldn't watch representations of childbirth on tv. I couldn't help, as they say, but feel partly responsible. My father's description of the scene when I finally arrived and he came in to meet me was, 'It was like a slaughterhouse'.

thanks for this; pertinent, accurate and helpful

The arc of library bends towards Zola.

I've got used to being misspelled outside Scotland. :-) (I refer you to my pinned post.)

People seem to keep using the phrase in various ways as if they think it's just some kind of nice sounding proverbial expression floating around which has become detached from its meaning. "I've got so many things I need to get, it's like Schindler's List! :-)"

And "has anyone here noticed that I've even been away".