It was the sofas that got me. Pink velour, now more dusty than dusky - a matching pair, stuffed with memories of days spent drinking, chatting and laughing with my mum in her flat in Amersham, and for many years before that in her bungalow in Mumbles, Swansea. (The picture shows my sister Ginette, niece Amy and mum Lucille cuddling up on one of them.) As I watched them being carried out of the … [Read more...] about Remnants of a life well lived
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Human vs machine: the problem with keywords
The last blog I posted on this website was a deeply personal one. In it, I wore my heart on my sleeve and talked about the eulogy I wrote for my mum's funeral, about a gratitude letter I had read to her 10 years ago. My 'call to action' at the end was to urge everyone reading the blog to do the same and write a gratitude letter to their parents or other loved ones before it's too late. I … [Read more...] about Human vs machine: the problem with keywords
Dear Mum, here’s my final gift of gratitude
My remarkable mother Lucille passed away on 10th September, on the morning of her 71st wedding anniversary. I'd like to think she chose to go on that date, and that she is now dancing with my dad again. She was 93. Her ending was pain-free - drifting in a morphine dream - and she died, quite simply, of old age. After a life well lived, it was about a good a death as it gets, and I'm so … [Read more...] about Dear Mum, here’s my final gift of gratitude
Why not zhoosh up your writing?
Let me ask you a few questions. Do you find writing a chore? Doubt your ability to write? Want to write blogs to promote your business but don’t know where to start? Have a website that is professional but doesn’t really show your personality? Get in a spin when it comes to deciding what to keep in and what to leave out of a blog, article or speech? Need a hand with editing and … [Read more...] about Why not zhoosh up your writing?
The vulnerability of visibility
I’m currently writing my third book*. It’s about language and the powerful role that words play in creating our reality and the stories we tell about ourselves. I’ve curated a list of words that have had an impact on me at various stages of my life, and used them as gateways in order to explore how language affects us in positive and negative ways. And I recently had a wonderful conversation … [Read more...] about The vulnerability of visibility
Language in living colour
It makes me feel a little bit guilty to admit this but, for the most part, I’ve enjoyed lockdown. I’m acutely aware of the suffering of others, and like everyone else I’ve been affected by the collective stress of living through a pandemic, but I’ve been fortunate enough to stay healthy and present enough to allow creativity to blossom. I’ve managed to write the first draft of a book … [Read more...] about Language in living colour