Thanks for dropping by. I'm a author and teacher with interests in education, mental health. faith 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 12 years. You can find out about my books on the Books tab. Miracle! I'd love to hear your comments below any posts you read. Have a good day. Deborah
I am about half way through my fourth book - working title, Two Things. It's about a group of people in supported accommodation and I'm really enjoying it. The reason it's taking me so long is that I started writing another book (Hearing Loss) and about half way through, I thought this book is depressing … Continue reading Writing – like swimming only drier
I cycled into town today to post a book. I love cycling, and I love autumn, at least when the weather is like it was today - drowsy and warm, and smelling of mown grass and earth. I cycled along the twittens (Sussex word for alleyways). The sun fell down through the trees and landed … Continue reading Autumn and the art of being human
Did you know London begins on the A22 just outside Whyteleafe? Unless you're on the train, and then it's probably somewhere like Purley Beeches. This is when you're travelling from Sussex. Of course that's just my opinion. There are actual signs up on roads that say things like 'Welcome to the London Borough of Croydon'. … Continue reading Boundaries, baldness and the art of listening carefully
So I had a bit of an episode. I lost my diary. I keep all my passwords in there - well, obviously not my actual passwords (I'm not stupid. At least, not in that way) but the clues to them. Like you, I have many passwords and without the clues, I'm helpless. My husband keeps … Continue reading Falling off the edge
"What colour is snow?" The child had topaz coloured eyes and dimpled cheeks like punched dough. "Well," I looked down at him, puzzled, wondering if the cold had turned his head. Building snowmen on the field with thirty nine and ten year olds had pretty much turned mine, but I didn't want to be rude. … Continue reading The Colour of Snow
Sleep mode - the pc stays on but uses low power. Apps stay open so when the pc wakes up, you're instantly back to where you left off. When I was younger, I could sleep anywhere. I've spent nights on floors, coaches, trains and under stars on the side of mountains. Once, memorably, I slept … Continue reading Sleep mode
At what point do you stop saying Happy Christmas and start saying Happy New Year? I'm never quite sure. After all, the Twelve Days of Christmas start on Christmas Day so perhaps we shouldn't say Happy New Year until 5th January, when incidentally, you're supposed to take down your decorations and NOT BEFORE (but who … Continue reading Happy Old Year and the Little Painted House
Sad fact - people have no inclination to open presents I've wrapped. This is because, instead of tantalising hints at treasure within, they give off an aura of utter tat, fallen from the back of a lorry or bought at a White Elephant stall. I tell myself it's because I'm a "rip it off" person. … Continue reading Bad Wrapping and the Gift of Hope
I stare at the sign in amusement. Let's all get home safely? What's that all about? I know I don't get out much and I haven't, thankfully, been on the M1 for a while, but have I missed a sea change in British culture? I mean, it's a bit pally isn't it? Surely, Wishing you a safe journey, or … Continue reading Empty nests and the unnecessary use of signage
It was the biggest summer since we'd grown sunflowers from seed. I'd got a new job, my daughter got great exam results and two days later she was going to be a bridesmaid for the first time. These things in themselves would have had me doing an Eric and Ernie style dance up the garden. … Continue reading The Unexpected Cost of Celebration
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