Dear Mum, The last time I got to wish you a Happy Birthday was when you turned 67. In 2010. You would not live much longer. But how much time is “much…
Category: random asides
10 Things.
Traditionally, I’ve written a lot to myself (into the void), or passed notes from underneath the table to others. Those letters, written to everyone from my parents, to my child, to my…
Notes, from underneath the leaves in the Midlands.
Over the years, people have quizzically asked me why this blog has always included a reference to being from “underneath the table.” It’s taken on many forms, over time, as sometimes I’m…
Deadlines For Decisions
In our house, the worst question you can ask anyone is: “What would you like to eat?” We will share memes about it, laugh about our own inabilities to make an actual…
The Blume of Blooms
If you grew up in the decade before, during, or after, I did, you’ll know this book. Maybe you read it, maybe you didn’t – it was, back then, very much “a…
Self Loathing And Other Stories
Hi. Yes, this is awkward. I’ve been cheating on you a bit and writing over here, every now and then. Sorry about that. I suspect, much like many others, that I’ve puddled…
It Was Less Than Ideal, But Then We Found Something New
For some reason, or a million of them, this year has felt like hot molasses with no spoon. But, as we move towards the winding up of this year’s clock, I’m finding…
Eight Minutes.
I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the art of writing letters today. Growing up, letters were a gift passed on in a day, that would live into the future. I…
Nature is like that.
The passing of Leonard Cohen struck me as unsurprising. Yes, he was 82. But in the year that 2016 is turning out to be, it is a wonder that anyone survives it….
Magic and Other Mumbles
My friend over the wires makes magical things in kaleidoscopic ways. This is one of them. You should listen to it. Go on, pop your headphones on, click, read, scroll down and…