We use the expression in Ireland, “giving out” – I’m not sure how far it travels. It can mean to tell someone off, to complain, fault-find, or to indulge enthusiastically in expressing one’s dissatisfaction with all and sundry. I have a good friend upon whom I rely for our weekly telephone dose of mutual giving … Continue reading Giving Out
I’ve not been feeling well lately and so I’ve been moping around, achieving little. At least that’s what I tell myself, whilst successfully discounting those bits and bobs I am getting done between bouts of inactivity. Yet all I can focus on is the inactivity, which is very unfashionable these days, to be slothful, unless … Continue reading What Am I Doing?
‘But it’s the truth. Isn’t the truth a good thing?’ A friend had asked for my input about a tricky situation, a conflict with someone else that was escalating via electronic messages. When I told them I thought their response was too much, that it should be pared back, cooled down, they – quite rightly … Continue reading Holding Back
Ambition is one of those words that can be wrapped in a subtle film of criticism, thin as Japanese mulberry paper. It’s not always so, but sometimes, if you listen carefully, there might be a certain tone of voice used when saying, ‘he’s ambitious, that one.’ At times, it comes with an implication of the … Continue reading Ambition
Didn't you just love the story this week about the couple from Yorkshire who won the lottery only to declare they wouldn't be holidaying in a yacht off the Amalfi coast or buying a Maserati, but rather, they were quite happy to keep up their annual holiday in a caravan in Skegness and more than … Continue reading Out Of Tune
“I’m passionate about baking, singing, cooking, dancing, sewing, potting.” Insert whatever activity you like according to whatever cook-off or dance-off or bake-off is airing these days, and you can be sure that you’ll hear every contestant tell us they are ‘passionate’. Which is as it should be; after all, no sane person would put themselves under the spotlight … Continue reading Lukewarm
‘Men grow cold as girls grow old, And we all lose our charms in the end, But square cut or pear shape these rocks don't lose their shape, Diamonds are a girl's best friend,’ Am I shallow? Of course I am, because I know Marilyn was right: every girl, including me, does love a diamond (or … Continue reading Aspirational Bed Linen
I was at my first Christmas gathering last night; a party hosted by F. and superbly catered by P. and E. I was welcomed in from the crisp night to an equally crisp glass of champagne. A red carpet of an evening was rolled out with good company, delicious food and enchanting wine; a glass … Continue reading Party Season
My Edinburgh Press 