I’ve been thinking about friendship a lot lately. Maybe because of the enforced isolation and lockdown brought about by the pandemic across the world. Maybe because a dear soul recently reached out, concerned that I had not written on the blog here for such a long time, stressing that our bonds of friendship caused her to be worried. Maybe because there has been great loss lately brought about by the death of a respected associate, … Read more
It has been ages since I’ve been here. And how life – and the world – has changed since last time! This has always been my ‘safe place’ to come … to ruminate, to share, to process and to make sense of the world around me. But how does one make sense of the present world in which we live? I’m no ‘master of understatement’ when I say that not a lot has made sense … Read more
I have really laboured over trying to write this latest blog. Initially for the fact that I have been so preoccupied juggling three jobs which had all landed on my doorstep at the same time. And then, in the space between starting the first draft and now – three weeks later – the world has changed so dramatically that it is really staggering to look back and note how planet earth, and everyone upon it, … Read more
The human mind is the most wondrous, fascinating, amazing and sometimes even unfathomable thing. It seems that it retains so much, blocks so much, processes so much, and – sadly for some – can on occasions turn the rational and straightforward into the opposite, thus causing torment. It can bring things back to the fore at the most unexpected times and in the most unanticipated circumstances. A memory can be triggered by the simplest of … Read more
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Well, not quite, but here at Wroxton plans have been in place for decorating themes – some brand new and some familiar, plus all sorts of great gatherings and activities – since back in February. Yes, February! I’m not exactly sure why there was such a fixation with it all so early in the year. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that this past … Read more
I am beginning to understand more and more that this is where I come to make sense of things. As a journalist and author of many years, I’ve always written because it has been my profession. I have written on everything from interior design and Christmas observances to interior products, accommodation venues, weddings celebrations, jewellery and fashion, recreational four-wheel driving, retailing and endless marketing and promotional campaigns. I’ve been the overseeing managing editor on productions … Read more
It’s a changing world, and in so many ways not for the better! I know I’ve said it before and I’ll continue to say it until it is no longer the case, but we live at a time where so many feel disenfranchised and detached; where the simple connection between people has been eroded to such a degree that many have lost the ability to socialise and interact with the most basic degree of care … Read more
Apparently I waffle on … and on. Apparently I say too much. Apparently I don’t need to tell the ‘back story’ but just answer the question .. directly, succinctly, concisely. Apparently no one really wants to hear the context of my answer as I explain my response. Apparently no one is really interested. When heard from a friend who sharply stated “get the point, drop the back story” it was hurtful and both cruel and … Read more
As one of my daily rituals, I try and find something inspirational or ‘wise’ to add on my Instagram page. It might be a few words about things that inspire me, things I have observed, learnt, experienced or something that has simply been placed on my heart to share. Recently I really toiled over sharing the following ‘quote’ that I had ruminated on for some time. And then I thought … be brave, say it … Read more
It’s amazing how we can hear the same thing over and over again … a word of advice, a slice of wisdom, a warning, a truth, and never really ‘hear’ it until, one day, just at the right and appointed time, we finally hear it. It resonates deep within us, and we finally understand and maybe even embrace it to the point where we take it on board and it becomes a personal mantra, or … Read more