It came as something of a shock when I realised that I hadn't posted a blog here for more than two years. What happened? Well, the blog I posted in January 2022 will give you a clue. In those two years I have been focusing on working and reworking the chapters of my book, which at the time had the working title Night Night Washing Machine: A Life in Words. Two years and a publishing journey … [Read more...] about The wordsmith returns
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A birthday greeting from the past
Ten years ago, when I turned 55, I wrote a letter to Future Me. The website that hosted the letter promised to email it to me on my 65th birthday. And indeed, there it was, in my inbox. Reading it back was a bittersweet experience. During that decade, many unexpectedly good things have happened, but there have been sad and shocking surprises as well. That’s life. Here’s what Past Me said to … [Read more...] about A birthday greeting from the past
As Mum lost her grip on language, I wrote a book about words
In the autumn of 2019, my mum was in serious cognitive decline. She was finding it increasingly difficult to retrieve her memories or find the right words. She had even forgotten the name of the house she’d lived in for 25 years. As she was losing her grip on language, I started reflecting on its power. And that’s when I found this quote, from spiritual teacher Jeff Brown: Words. So powerful. … [Read more...] about As Mum lost her grip on language, I wrote a book about words
From fear to love: an equine epiphany
My fear of horses first kicked in (pardon the pun) when I was 13, after a girl in my class was killed in a terrible riding accident. She had been galloping across Hayes Common in Bromley, Kent, when her horse bolted into the road and they were both hit by a lorry. When our form teacher announced the news, a strange kind of hysteria set in. It doesn't take much to send teenage brains into … [Read more...] about From fear to love: an equine epiphany
Moments from a life less ordinary
It's a simple question: what have you done that few other people have? That was the first sentence in a blog I read last week by one of my favourite American bloggers, an original thinker and non-conformist called Chris Guillebeau. It’s a great hook, so I read on. He noted that, in answer to the question, you might start to list your accomplishments or achievements – but they belong on a … [Read more...] about Moments from a life less ordinary
Dear Alan, you changed my life. I hope I can be the Alan in someone else’s life
I left school at 18 with one A-level, good typing and shorthand speeds, and few ambitions beyond earning a decent salary. Two years earlier, my dad had suffered a stroke that left him partly paralysed and unable to return to his managerial job. All I could think about was financial independence. I knew I couldn’t rely on my parents to support me in that way. I’d worked hard for my … [Read more...] about Dear Alan, you changed my life. I hope I can be the Alan in someone else’s life