I once had the most beautiful coat. I spied it in a charity shop & I guess that the fact it had been used, belonged to someone else, and had been symbolically passed on for someone else’s pleasure really appealed to me. I don’t mind other people’s cast offs. Anyway, the coat seemed beautiful to … Continue reading The Coat of Many Colours & the Art of Recycling

I had this ginger Tom*… No. Don’t get me wrong. He wasn’t mine. He had a family of his own. But one fine day he chose me. It was in the heart of lockdown. I was recovering from Covid direct from Wuhan, sick, poorly, trying to get back on my feet, I’d recently lost out … Continue reading The Comings & Goings…

I’m not sporty. Never have been. Can’t be bothered with competing with other people, not in any walks of my life. But I am interested in being healthy & have always enjoyed aerobics, yoga, hiking & walking. It’s never been an obsession (not like writing & love) though. I’ve joined a couple of gyms in … Continue reading To the gym & back

I guess that throughout all our lives we put on some kind of performance - depending on what situation we find ourselves in. To some extent we all play a part, in something, but it’s rare that outside of the workplace our performances are managed or, indeed, appraised. So why should it be important to … Continue reading Ticking the performance boxes

Dear Reader, Before I went AWOL to Greece, I had a significant conversation with someone who was going through the toughest of times. Just an acquaintance at work really, someone I bonded with because of her feisty, no-nonsense approach in the workplace and her love of PLANNING! I won't tell her story in depth, but … Continue reading Sitting in your sadness

Hollywood brings yet another version of A Star is Born to the big screen and, once again, crowds of women flock to the cinema to be captivated by the tale of star-crossed lovers and the woe that the inevitable heartbreak brings. Actually there is a whole generation who have no idea that this is yet … Continue reading A Star is Born and the Same Old Story

I've found myself in a place that has become, over the years, unfamiliar territory.  When I was a girl, and then a teenager, and then a young adult I was terrifically anti-social.  It's because of the writing, you see.  It's an extremely anti-social habit.  It calls for you to exclude all others and focus on … Continue reading I want to be alone & other anti-social activities

I've just written something for World Menopause Day 2021 (Monday 18 October) for the Staff Intranet at work, and it got me reflecting on all kinds of things (I'll publish the article here). I presented an update on perimenopause and menopause for staff members (all staff, not just women, and for everyone who identifies as … Continue reading Why the menopause should matter

It's been a week of highs and lows. Lots of weeks are. But not all of them involve the untimely and sudden death of a young, bright, professional woman in the prime of her life, with everything to look forward to... Losing a work colleague in tragic circumstances I'm sure isn't half as bad as … Continue reading Bring Me Sunshine & the Demise of the Great British Seaside