As preparations for the Christmas season begin – many greetings are sent – and songs sung – all wishing – ‘happy times’ – ‘joy and laughter’ – ‘merriment’ – etc. Yet – I am more and more aware – of the number of people – for whom this is far from a happy time. So…

In our next village there is an old phone box – and apparently various groups in that village are responsible for filling it with items of interest. Usually these are things pertaining to the particular season that we are in – and as we are in the season of Advent – whoever is responsible has…

This is the time of year when so many of us enjoy the traditions that have been a part of our lives for many years. Of course -there are many traditions – around the world – in our own cultures -the traditions that we all grow up with – but then there are those ‘family…

This past week I recognised that I was feeling ’empathy’ in a situation where I would previously have struggled to do so. Our youngest son and our daughter in law have always loved cats – in fact – they love cats of all descriptions – from the feral cat they have adopted at home –…

I feel as though – in recent years – I have begun to see my life in a different way – and it’s as though I have taken far more control over it than I ever have before. I have come to see that – this is – ‘my life’ – and – ‘my story’…

This past week I found it necessary to give myself a day of rest. This is really quite out of character for me – as everyone who knows me would tell you – I always push myself to keep going – even during those times when I know I should rest. I had developed a…

This week I decided to make our Christmas cake – thinking that I would of course be making it advance – in readiness for when the festivities began. However – I came across a recipe that many people had commented on – saying just how great the cake was to eat straight away – and…

I love trying new things – setting myself new challenges – stretching myself. And that is what I did this past week. I decided that my next ‘project’ would be learning to sketch – which is something that I have never been good at. I don’t know about you – but – when I feel…

Last week I was feeling very concerned for my friend who lives in Scotland – as a very bad storm had been predicted – and she was alone – in a new house – in a new area – and so understandably – she was concerned. What I hadn’t realised at the time though –…

If you had asked me where I’d been – and what I had been busy doing this past week – my answer would simply have been – ‘I’m busy tending my garden’. Now that it’s Autumn – there are things that need tending – tidying up – and making ready for the winter. We’ve had…