Bren Kübler
@brenkubler.bsky.social
Lining up words for 40+ years (editor, translator, writer). Swiss/UK citizen originally from Yorkshire. Semi-retired, living in rural SE France since 2007.
Language(s), books, cats, food, gardening, France, bees in my bonnet. Food bank volunteer
Language(s), books, cats, food, gardening, France, bees in my bonnet. Food bank volunteer
Had to change my phone - swollen lithium batteries are rather dangerous.
Got new one. Linked it to wifi (already a miracle). The young geeks at the shop transferred data/contacts, etc. but I am still in password hell.
I now need wine. And soothing words/hand-holding.
I am... too old for IT stuff.
Got new one. Linked it to wifi (already a miracle). The young geeks at the shop transferred data/contacts, etc. but I am still in password hell.
I now need wine. And soothing words/hand-holding.
I am... too old for IT stuff.
October 27, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Had to change my phone - swollen lithium batteries are rather dangerous.
Got new one. Linked it to wifi (already a miracle). The young geeks at the shop transferred data/contacts, etc. but I am still in password hell.
I now need wine. And soothing words/hand-holding.
I am... too old for IT stuff.
Got new one. Linked it to wifi (already a miracle). The young geeks at the shop transferred data/contacts, etc. but I am still in password hell.
I now need wine. And soothing words/hand-holding.
I am... too old for IT stuff.
There's life in the old girl yet. I actually felt like doing stuff today for the first time in weeks.
So I did stuff. Small stuff, but phew.
And with added Lidl goodies (was lovely to get out and see all the autumn colours).
So I did stuff. Small stuff, but phew.
And with added Lidl goodies (was lovely to get out and see all the autumn colours).
October 18, 2025 at 7:33 PM
There's life in the old girl yet. I actually felt like doing stuff today for the first time in weeks.
So I did stuff. Small stuff, but phew.
And with added Lidl goodies (was lovely to get out and see all the autumn colours).
So I did stuff. Small stuff, but phew.
And with added Lidl goodies (was lovely to get out and see all the autumn colours).
@dwpete.bsky.social Lidl done and dusted, with Alpine goodies. Also Stollen bites. Thank you!
October 18, 2025 at 7:30 PM
@dwpete.bsky.social Lidl done and dusted, with Alpine goodies. Also Stollen bites. Thank you!
Reposted by Bren Kübler
Brilliant.
September 20, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Brilliant.
Our sturdy, 19-year-old Miele washing machine has finally died. Trying to find one that isn't made in China was a challenge. Our fabulous heating/plumbing/AC people have found one made in Sweden. At a price, ofc.
Now hoping and praying it's in stock, looking at the pile of sweaty clothes/towels.
Now hoping and praying it's in stock, looking at the pile of sweaty clothes/towels.
August 19, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Our sturdy, 19-year-old Miele washing machine has finally died. Trying to find one that isn't made in China was a challenge. Our fabulous heating/plumbing/AC people have found one made in Sweden. At a price, ofc.
Now hoping and praying it's in stock, looking at the pile of sweaty clothes/towels.
Now hoping and praying it's in stock, looking at the pile of sweaty clothes/towels.
A very small drizzle just happened. Went out, breathed in the smell. And it stopped again.
Hmph.
The forecast says more later. Not sure I trust it.
Hmph.
The forecast says more later. Not sure I trust it.
August 19, 2025 at 7:32 AM
A very small drizzle just happened. Went out, breathed in the smell. And it stopped again.
Hmph.
The forecast says more later. Not sure I trust it.
Hmph.
The forecast says more later. Not sure I trust it.
I was just raving about this to somebody else but really - try it. Super easy. Use in sparkling water with a dash of lime. And also neat, in whisky (apparently). I need to make some more NOW but don't feel like braving 40° today to buy ginger.
www.davidlebovitz.com/fresh-ginger...
www.davidlebovitz.com/fresh-ginger...
Fresh Ginger Syrup
Many moons ago, I worked with Bruce Cost at the now-shuttered Monsoon restaurant in San Francisco. Bruce is an amazing Asian cook and I've rarely had better Chinese food than what came out of his wok....
www.davidlebovitz.com
August 13, 2025 at 8:27 AM
I was just raving about this to somebody else but really - try it. Super easy. Use in sparkling water with a dash of lime. And also neat, in whisky (apparently). I need to make some more NOW but don't feel like braving 40° today to buy ginger.
www.davidlebovitz.com/fresh-ginger...
www.davidlebovitz.com/fresh-ginger...
Me to all three cats: "Was it YOU chewing the wicker laundry basket? Eh?" (after finding bits of wicker and knowing full well who the likely culprit is).
Rather deaf Mr K who often gets in trouble for not answering me.
"Er... yes, love".
I should explain, I suppose. But now I have this image...
Rather deaf Mr K who often gets in trouble for not answering me.
"Er... yes, love".
I should explain, I suppose. But now I have this image...
August 1, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Me to all three cats: "Was it YOU chewing the wicker laundry basket? Eh?" (after finding bits of wicker and knowing full well who the likely culprit is).
Rather deaf Mr K who often gets in trouble for not answering me.
"Er... yes, love".
I should explain, I suppose. But now I have this image...
Rather deaf Mr K who often gets in trouble for not answering me.
"Er... yes, love".
I should explain, I suppose. But now I have this image...
I posted on an international grammar group.
Some guy from the US criticises my spelling (of defense/sympathise).
Others (it was last night and I wasn't around) tell him that it's UK English, and fine.
Him: 'I read it on my PC and I'm in the US, so I expected it to be in US English'.
*Sigh*
Some guy from the US criticises my spelling (of defense/sympathise).
Others (it was last night and I wasn't around) tell him that it's UK English, and fine.
Him: 'I read it on my PC and I'm in the US, so I expected it to be in US English'.
*Sigh*
July 31, 2025 at 11:47 AM
I posted on an international grammar group.
Some guy from the US criticises my spelling (of defense/sympathise).
Others (it was last night and I wasn't around) tell him that it's UK English, and fine.
Him: 'I read it on my PC and I'm in the US, so I expected it to be in US English'.
*Sigh*
Some guy from the US criticises my spelling (of defense/sympathise).
Others (it was last night and I wasn't around) tell him that it's UK English, and fine.
Him: 'I read it on my PC and I'm in the US, so I expected it to be in US English'.
*Sigh*
This morning: pool man, A/C man *and* pest control man!
Pool: teeth-sucking. '*Maybe* we can clean the bottom next week. But lots of people with algae/dust issues.'
A/C: teeth-sucking. 'New part won't solve the problem as mice ate so much'. So whole new unit.
Mice: 'Should be fine now. Probably'.
Pool: teeth-sucking. '*Maybe* we can clean the bottom next week. But lots of people with algae/dust issues.'
A/C: teeth-sucking. 'New part won't solve the problem as mice ate so much'. So whole new unit.
Mice: 'Should be fine now. Probably'.
July 11, 2025 at 1:22 PM
This morning: pool man, A/C man *and* pest control man!
Pool: teeth-sucking. '*Maybe* we can clean the bottom next week. But lots of people with algae/dust issues.'
A/C: teeth-sucking. 'New part won't solve the problem as mice ate so much'. So whole new unit.
Mice: 'Should be fine now. Probably'.
Pool: teeth-sucking. '*Maybe* we can clean the bottom next week. But lots of people with algae/dust issues.'
A/C: teeth-sucking. 'New part won't solve the problem as mice ate so much'. So whole new unit.
Mice: 'Should be fine now. Probably'.
Reading a lovely letter posted by @englishmaninbx.bsky.social which reminded me of this one - seen many times but... it's excellent.
July 9, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Reading a lovely letter posted by @englishmaninbx.bsky.social which reminded me of this one - seen many times but... it's excellent.
Storms to the north, east and west of us. It ain't half black over Bill's mother's, too.
We're middle, leftish.
We're middle, leftish.
June 30, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Storms to the north, east and west of us. It ain't half black over Bill's mother's, too.
We're middle, leftish.
We're middle, leftish.
Am I the only one constantly staring at the weather forecast and willing the temperatures to go down?
No, thought not.
First, it was 'it will go down Wednesday'. Then Thursday. Now - a bit - Friday.
No, thought not.
First, it was 'it will go down Wednesday'. Then Thursday. Now - a bit - Friday.
June 29, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Am I the only one constantly staring at the weather forecast and willing the temperatures to go down?
No, thought not.
First, it was 'it will go down Wednesday'. Then Thursday. Now - a bit - Friday.
No, thought not.
First, it was 'it will go down Wednesday'. Then Thursday. Now - a bit - Friday.
I'm editing about cosmic rays and meteorites - all very serious stuff.
And my childish, shallow brain is suffering from too much Star Trek.
And my childish, shallow brain is suffering from too much Star Trek.
June 27, 2025 at 10:03 AM
I'm editing about cosmic rays and meteorites - all very serious stuff.
And my childish, shallow brain is suffering from too much Star Trek.
And my childish, shallow brain is suffering from too much Star Trek.
Another step forward. Found a mouse-extermination company locally, who use pet-safe products. They're coming Saturday.
Sorry mice, but... has to happen. A/C repairs are £££. Oven wiring last year too.
I'm getting things sorted. And it's all easier to do when I'm not sitting at my desk melting!
Sorry mice, but... has to happen. A/C repairs are £££. Oven wiring last year too.
I'm getting things sorted. And it's all easier to do when I'm not sitting at my desk melting!
June 25, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Another step forward. Found a mouse-extermination company locally, who use pet-safe products. They're coming Saturday.
Sorry mice, but... has to happen. A/C repairs are £££. Oven wiring last year too.
I'm getting things sorted. And it's all easier to do when I'm not sitting at my desk melting!
Sorry mice, but... has to happen. A/C repairs are £££. Oven wiring last year too.
I'm getting things sorted. And it's all easier to do when I'm not sitting at my desk melting!
We have *half* our A/C back. Mice have destroyed the innards of the other unit. We should be able to get it repaired/spare parts 'fairly soon'.*
But already soooo much better.
*This is France. It's summer. So this could mean anything from next week until it's time to switch it from A/C to heating.
But already soooo much better.
*This is France. It's summer. So this could mean anything from next week until it's time to switch it from A/C to heating.
June 25, 2025 at 9:04 AM
We have *half* our A/C back. Mice have destroyed the innards of the other unit. We should be able to get it repaired/spare parts 'fairly soon'.*
But already soooo much better.
*This is France. It's summer. So this could mean anything from next week until it's time to switch it from A/C to heating.
But already soooo much better.
*This is France. It's summer. So this could mean anything from next week until it's time to switch it from A/C to heating.
Reposted by Bren Kübler
A fair summary
Much as I would not dare to predict the consequences of this war, I do think we can summarize it thusly so far:
A smart and evil man manipulated a stupid and evil man into a war against a fanatical and evil regime.
A smart and evil man manipulated a stupid and evil man into a war against a fanatical and evil regime.
June 22, 2025 at 6:05 AM
A fair summary
I don't normally do political posts but... how do you nominate somebody for the Nobel peace prize who then bombs the shit out of somewhere.
June 22, 2025 at 6:44 AM
I don't normally do political posts but... how do you nominate somebody for the Nobel peace prize who then bombs the shit out of somewhere.
I haven't been posting much: whining isn't fun to read.
Gritting teeth and soldiering on and all that.
I do know I'm privileged and fortunate and all.
BUT.
Heatwave forecast. Our A/C has died.
Last straw sort of feeling here.
Send cat photos, please.
And/or wine.
Virtual hugs also, if ever.
Gritting teeth and soldiering on and all that.
I do know I'm privileged and fortunate and all.
BUT.
Heatwave forecast. Our A/C has died.
Last straw sort of feeling here.
Send cat photos, please.
And/or wine.
Virtual hugs also, if ever.
June 17, 2025 at 4:54 PM
I haven't been posting much: whining isn't fun to read.
Gritting teeth and soldiering on and all that.
I do know I'm privileged and fortunate and all.
BUT.
Heatwave forecast. Our A/C has died.
Last straw sort of feeling here.
Send cat photos, please.
And/or wine.
Virtual hugs also, if ever.
Gritting teeth and soldiering on and all that.
I do know I'm privileged and fortunate and all.
BUT.
Heatwave forecast. Our A/C has died.
Last straw sort of feeling here.
Send cat photos, please.
And/or wine.
Virtual hugs also, if ever.
HUGE brown/white rabbit - not a wild one - hopping around in our garden. Tyke ran away from it (but that's Tyke).
Not from immediate neighbours, so will have to post on the town's info site.
He has plenty of grass to eat, so there's that. As long as he leaves the veggies alone.
Not from immediate neighbours, so will have to post on the town's info site.
He has plenty of grass to eat, so there's that. As long as he leaves the veggies alone.
June 14, 2025 at 7:02 AM
HUGE brown/white rabbit - not a wild one - hopping around in our garden. Tyke ran away from it (but that's Tyke).
Not from immediate neighbours, so will have to post on the town's info site.
He has plenty of grass to eat, so there's that. As long as he leaves the veggies alone.
Not from immediate neighbours, so will have to post on the town's info site.
He has plenty of grass to eat, so there's that. As long as he leaves the veggies alone.
Editing about whether broccoli contains something good for muscle pains after effort: very factual study that concludes that no, it isn't (despite several earlier studies saying it is).
A lot of people got to eat a lot of broccoli extract.
Trivial? Yeah, probably, but it was a serious bit of work.
A lot of people got to eat a lot of broccoli extract.
Trivial? Yeah, probably, but it was a serious bit of work.
June 13, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Editing about whether broccoli contains something good for muscle pains after effort: very factual study that concludes that no, it isn't (despite several earlier studies saying it is).
A lot of people got to eat a lot of broccoli extract.
Trivial? Yeah, probably, but it was a serious bit of work.
A lot of people got to eat a lot of broccoli extract.
Trivial? Yeah, probably, but it was a serious bit of work.
@olivierroth.bsky.social I found you a job.
You're welcome.
You're welcome.
June 12, 2025 at 3:55 PM
@olivierroth.bsky.social I found you a job.
You're welcome.
You're welcome.
Quite apart from the content, I am shaking my head at you, the Guardian.
May 27, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Quite apart from the content, I am shaking my head at you, the Guardian.
I'm doing a huge and fascinating edit about 'autocratization'.
It's not, in fact, about the US but about Hong Kong. However, it's... enlightening, and particularly about 'preferential falsification'.
Too long to explain here but have been bending Mr K's ear about it.
My 'Easter treat', in a way!
It's not, in fact, about the US but about Hong Kong. However, it's... enlightening, and particularly about 'preferential falsification'.
Too long to explain here but have been bending Mr K's ear about it.
My 'Easter treat', in a way!
April 21, 2025 at 7:53 AM
I'm doing a huge and fascinating edit about 'autocratization'.
It's not, in fact, about the US but about Hong Kong. However, it's... enlightening, and particularly about 'preferential falsification'.
Too long to explain here but have been bending Mr K's ear about it.
My 'Easter treat', in a way!
It's not, in fact, about the US but about Hong Kong. However, it's... enlightening, and particularly about 'preferential falsification'.
Too long to explain here but have been bending Mr K's ear about it.
My 'Easter treat', in a way!
This.
Happy April Fools' Day, but most importantly, happy April!🙋♀️
#GoodMorningBluesky #Booksky #Translators #AprilFoolsDay #April1 #AprilFoolsCancelled #RealityBeatsFiction
#GoodMorningBluesky #Booksky #Translators #AprilFoolsDay #April1 #AprilFoolsCancelled #RealityBeatsFiction
April 1, 2025 at 8:29 AM
This.