Hello and welcome to … and roses too.

I’m Linnie. I live in Brixton, London with Ted and our two sweet but intellectually challenged cats.

Why “and roses too”?

The title of the blog comes from a quote from a 1912 speech by the American socialist and feminist Rose Schneiderman.

The worker must have bread, but she must have roses, too.

That inspired a guy called James Oppenheim to write a poem, “Bread and Roses”, which was later set to music.

As we go marching, marching, in the beauty of the day
A million darkened kitchens, a thousand mill lofts grey
Are touched with all the radiance that a sudden sun discloses
For the people hear us singing, bread and roses, bread and roses.

As we come marching, marching, we battle too, for men,
For they are in the struggle and together we shall win.
Our days shall not be sweated from birth until life closes,
Hearts starve as well as bodies, give us bread, but give us roses.

As we come marching, marching, un-numbered women dead
Go crying through our singing their ancient call for bread,
Small art and love and beauty their trudging spirits knew
Yes, it is bread we. fight for, but we fight for roses, too.

As we go marching, marching, we’re standing proud and tall.
The rising of the women means the rising of us all.
No more the drudge and idler, ten that toil where one reposes,
But a sharing of life’s glories, bread and roses, bread and roses.

This blog focuses on the roses in my life – time spent with family and friends doing the things I enjoy most – exploring London, making things and travelling.

You can follow me here, on Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.

Or email me at linnie at androsestoo dot you know what.

And come and join the fun on Facebook!