Cridhe 's Anam / Heart and Soul

In this Scottish Gaelic poetry collection, Catriona NicÌomhair Parsons takes us from the memories of her upbringing on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, to the "new Edinburgh" of New Zealand, to Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia where she now makes her home. The poems focus on themes of emigration, the endurance of Gaelic language and culture, Christianity, aging, nature and the changing seasons. The poems are in Gaelic with facing English translations by the author. A section of songs and hymns rounds out the collection, featuring Gaelic translations of classics like Hank Snow's "My Nova Scotia Home" and John McCrae's "In Flanders Fields.". Catriona Parsons was born and raised in the Isle of Lewis, Scotland. After graduation from Edinburgh University, she taught English and Linguistics in the United States. In 1978, she began 30 years of Gaelic teaching at Cape Breton’s Gaelic College Summer School. She also taught in the Celtic Department, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia. After retiring, Catriona worked six years in the new Provincial Office of Gaelic Affairs. She continues her efforts on behalf of Gaelic which gives her much joy. She has authored two Gaelic courses, Gàidhlig troimh Chòmhradh for the Gaelic College and Seallagain for the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; and the book Saoghal na Gàidhlig/The Gaelic Way.