Thanks for dropping by. I'm a writer and teacher with interests in education, mental health and community. I like to wonder aloud about everyday life, hope and the silly, incongruous things that shape us and make us who we are. I also like hats, cake and those tiny little snores cats make when they sleep. On the Home page, you'll find around 100 wonderings, all different in length and content. On a pc, you'll see a 'Select month' menu at the side where you can choose a piece from the last 8 years. I'd love to hear your comments below each post. Have a good day. Deborah
Most people know someone who's deaf. It might be a parent, or grandparent, an older neighbour or colleague. Or it might be a younger person with a long term condition or sudden illness. Before I was hearing impaired, I didn't know how to talk to deaf people. I just shouted. Now I realise how horrid … Continue reading How to talk to deaf people
January. For me, the very word conjures up things like dead poinsettias, stark trees, mud. To say nothing of left-over Christmas cake looking ashamed of itself for existing. Do you remember that song January? It was released by the group Pilot in 1975. I was thirteen and can still sing it off by heart (not … Continue reading January – sick and tired?
Last Saturday, we went to London to see Matilda. My husband was particularly keen, as our daughter has been playing him the My Big Telly song for years. He adores it. I wasn't that sure to be honest. There are so many other plays I want to see and, having read the book to children … Continue reading When I grow up…
Today, I walked into town to buy gifts. The sky was grey but I didn't mind, as the gloom was eclipsed by prim-lipped tulips and scrawls of magnolia. It was such a treat to be out, after burrowing at home with Covid. Feeling jubilant, I smiled broadly at a woman with child. Her returning stare … Continue reading Designed to be kind
Is it true that opposites attract (with relationships, as well as magnets)? Are we more likely to seek out people with different personalities/talents to our own? And will those relationships thrive? I once assumed this to be the case. Observing partnerships, it has often seemed that one person is introverted/tidy/detail-conscious while the other is outgoing/disorganised/big-pictureish. … Continue reading Do opposites attract? Thoughts on The Wounds of Time, by S L Russell
'Happy New Year.' It's probably time to stop saying it now, but we still do, particularly if we're seeing someone for the first time this year. Then they say it back to us because they don't want us to think that they don't want us to be happy. I'm not sure when we stop saying … Continue reading How happy is yours so far?
Welcome to your new home. I hope you enjoy Christmas here. Two people live in this house most of the time. Let's call them the vicar (or minister) and the woman (a girl with old skin). It occurred to me that it might be good to flag up a few things to help you during … Continue reading To a poinsettia – this year it may be different
After Disastrous Devon last May (involving an ambulance, a gallbladder and an early return home), we were holding out for Cornwall, in October. We aren't extravagant vacationers - we've had our fair share of adventures (and are planning a few more). But for now, a cottage, a view, a pile of books, is all really. … Continue reading To have and to hold?
'I am a textbook people-pleaser. You can't trust me. I probably need help.' This is my (slightly adapted) favourite quote so far from a series my daughter introduced me to recently. She had been telling me about it for ages, to the point where I agreed to watch a couple of episodes just to stop … Continue reading Living to please?
Recently, when the doctor suggested Vitamin D tablets for bone density, he asked me what flavour I'd like. "Sorry?" I was still coming to terms with having not-dense bones and wasn't ready to move on. But, you know, they only have ten minutes... "Well, they come in two flavours." He paused a bit embarrassed, "Lemon … Continue reading What flavour are you?
stillwonderinghere 