Facelickers.


health, hope, uncategorised, words

There are two types of people in the world. Two sides, when the lines are drawn and we reveal our essence. There are those for whom social distancing has an element of relief, for whom a quieter life, small gatherings have a majesty and truth. A calmness maybe, that is as part of who they […]

5th February 2021

The importance of memoir. Shonda Rhimes and saying YES


books, hope

I love Shonda Rhimes. She is a Titan, as anyone who has seen her amazing TED talk will attest. A mega-God, a master of words and someone who has found and lost her spark in her career.  Shonda is a showrunner responsible for creating TV including Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, How To Get Away With […]

18th June 2020

Miracles? If the ring fits…


health, hope, words

I am standing in my kitchen and I don’t know a miracle is about to happen. It’s spring time, air cool, flowers swelling, but I don’t even believe in miracles. Even in nature. I am sorting through the plastic shoppers and reusable bags which engulf the corner of our kitchen. Trying to fold them neatly, […]

10th June 2020

On tidying up


family & parenting, hope, patient

I am messy. I always have been. I don’t know that I ever really learned how to tidy up in a way that made sense to me, learned how to declutter, downsize, re-order, prioritise. I have a big inbox. I have a floor-drobe and now I have kids, a house heaving with stuff. We’ve tidied […]

17th February 2019

SMTWTFS


hope, patient, shame

Every Sunday morning I have a chore. It is just a small job, five minutes, maybe ten tops, but crucial. I have to refill my pill box for the week, and note down if there are any I need to re-repeat. It doesn’t take long, though it is fiddly. It is also a useful thing […]

7th January 2018

Traditions, Traditions


family & parenting, hope

When I was pregnant with Spider-boy I spent a lot of time thinking about Christmas even though he was a summer baby and I had barely been scanned in December. The thing was I rather felt that festive traditions could sum up your parenting techniques, aims and hopes. I still do, a bit, though in […]

16th December 2011

Blackboard Jungle


family & parenting, hope

I often think that what I love most about children is their brutality. A searingly honest take on life, unsullied by any social expectations. My little sisters used to cry and protest when our mother sang them (tuneless but enthusiastic) lullabies. Last weekend I saw my best friend’s glorious meringues dismissed as ‘disgusting’ by her […]

14th May 2011