Walking through my village over recent weeks, I’ve noticed how few people are empty handed. Most people walking along are carrying something. One man carried a reel of electrical cable over his arm. Was he an electrician by trade going to work in someone’s home or was he going to repair or replace something inContinue reading “The Things We Carry”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Let’s Have a Think
Today, 22nd February, is World Thinking Day. First celebrated in 1926, it was chosen to mark the birthdates of both Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the scout movement, and his wife Olave, who became World Chief Guide. It’s many years since I was a Girl Guide but every year when 22nd February comes around, for someContinue reading “Let’s Have a Think”
Putting the Pieces Together
After my husband Paul, spent a couple of nights in hospital, I bought him some jigsaws to complete while he recovered and he hasn’t stopped doing jigsaws since then. Apparently, that makes him a fully-fledged ‘Dissectologist’! Now we live surrounded by them and he can’t pass a charity shop without going in and buying anotherContinue reading “Putting the Pieces Together”
Wake Up and Smell the Coffee
I really enjoy drinking coffee. For some years now I’ve chosen to drink decaffeinated coffee as I found that caffeine seemed to affect my sleep but, once I’d got used to not having that instant ‘hit’, I’ve been happy with my choice and I certainly sleep better. At home I usually drink instant though IContinue reading “Wake Up and Smell the Coffee”
Thawing Out
Recently I defrosted my large top-opening freezer; a job that should be done far more often than it is but which I find physically challenging. I always make sure my husband is at home so that if I do fall inside while trying to dry the inside walls and floor of the freezer, or ifContinue reading “Thawing Out”
Don’t Mind the Gaps
As 2021 draws to a close, my thoughts are turning, not so much to a review of the year almost finished, as to the year that’s about to start. Normally in this last week of the year I go back through my diary and list any special days out I’ve had: trips to the theatreContinue reading “Don’t Mind the Gaps”
Tales of Christmases Past
I’m finally into single figures in my countdown towards December 21st, the shortest day; the day I hope will prove to be the turning point in my annual battle with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD.) It’s an arbitrary landmark really and last year proved to be a false dawn as the effects of SAD affected meContinue reading “Tales of Christmases Past”
Look Through Any Window
We’re now in the second week of Advent and I’m enjoying a new image every day as I open a door on my nativity story Advent calendar. Such a sense of anticipation and excitement: What will be behind today’s door? What will it add to the story? Should I open it quickly: the sooner toContinue reading “Look Through Any Window”
Taste and See …
During a recent bout of illness, I lost my sense of taste and smell for over a week. It made me realise how much I rely on smelling food for it to be appetising and, if it hadn’t been for physical hunger pangs, I wouldn’t have wanted to eat much at all. And, not beingContinue reading “Taste and See …”
Emerging From the Wood
I’ve been watching Britain’s Best Woodworker on television recently. Amateur woodworking enthusiasts compete in various challenges to create everything from furniture to dolls houses. This week’s challenge to create an animal sculpture, saw three of the five contestants work with an individual trunk from an oak tree, complete with bark. While two had sketches toContinue reading “Emerging From the Wood”
The Scent of Time Passing
I’m writing this a week after the end of British Summer Time and the evenings are drawing in. As usual, I’ve numbered the days on my calendar, starting with 51 for October 31st when the clocks changed, working down to 0 on December 21, the shortest day and a significant milestone if I’m battling SeasonalContinue reading “The Scent of Time Passing”
My Spiritual Chiropractor
Yesterday I had chiropractic treatment which I began some years ago following unexpected severe back pain. As I have ongoing problems with my back, legs and posture, I now need to have regular ‘maintenance’ sessions. I’m fortunate to have a very skilled chiropractor who is always smiling, calm and welcoming and very good at relievingContinue reading “My Spiritual Chiropractor”
Light at the End of the Tunnel
I recently had a lovely reunion with a dear friend (my first boss), her husband and her daughter: who is my Goddaughter. We met for afternoon tea in London which, for me involved a train then a subway journey and Light Railway journey; the latter being something I’d not done for some time. The noiseContinue reading “Light at the End of the Tunnel”
Lighting the Way
We’re now almost at the end of September and have passed the autumn equinox when we have an equal amount of daytime and night time hours before the shortening daylight hours bring us to the slippery slope towards winter in England. I’ve just started daily sessions with my special SAD lamp to try and combatContinue reading “Lighting the Way”
Beginning a New Chapter
Here we are in September – my favourite month of the year. It always seems to bring with it a sense of anticipation and of the beginning of a new chapter. I know many people feel the same as the start of a new academic year (in England) fills the shops with new stationery andContinue reading “Beginning a New Chapter”
Opening the Curtains
I’ve recently had a curtain pole and curtains installed in my office. I’ve not had any curtains in this room since we moved here over nine years ago. This is mainly because the room faces north so gets no direct sunlight even on the brightest of summer days and I thought that having curtains, howeverContinue reading “Opening the Curtains”
A Walk in the Woods
The photo on my Home Page (by Adrien Tutin at Unsplash) reminds me of my lovely and much missed West Highland Terrier, Hamish, who loved to walk in woodland. He’d dash off to explore the scents in the leaf mould, rush from the base of one tree to another, barking futilely as squirrels chased oneContinue reading “A Walk in the Woods”
Sunlight Through the Shadows 