January – sick and tired?

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?

Designed to be kind

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

Making Sense

Does that make sense? I say this a lot, with various responses depending on the context: at work (usually a nod - thank goodness), at home (Yep - they know me), to friends (Absolutely! Bless them.) I can't always hear and understand others correctly because of a strange condition I've explained before but I do … Continue reading Making Sense

To sleep, perchance to dream…

Do you ever have a night where it feels as if you don't actually sleep at all? You're exhausted and desperate to slide into the pool of oblivion but instead, you lie rigid, brain fizzing, eyes popping, muscles poised to act. Occasionally, you seem to skate over the surface of sleep like a swan or … Continue reading To sleep, perchance to dream…

Retreat, Reuse, Recycle

Have you heard the definition of English hospitality? According to a peculiarly honest American who once stayed with us, it’s - Making people feel at home when you wish they were. It made us laugh, then it made us think. Then we wondered if he was trying to tell us something… I would defy that … Continue reading Retreat, Reuse, Recycle