Our church in Texas is not a parish church. It does not sit in the middle of a village or town as a reminder of holier days when it was the centre of the people’s lives. It is known as a destination church.  Although it is set on the main main road through a neighbourhood,…

Daniel Galvin is an exclusive hairdresser in London, off Portman Square and Bond Street.  An expensive, swanky, part of town. Known for his expertise in hair colour I was persuaded to pay him a visit for something unusual I wanted done to my hair.  My friendly hairdresser upstairs honestly told me she would rather not…

Conducting a “viewing” of one’s own property is awkward. I am always afraid I’ll let something slip, like admitting to hearing the click of a light switch going on, or off, upstairs, or complaining about the sound of the lady across the hall coming home at midnight, that may put them off. I usher them…

I am in a maudlin mood today. This block of flats makes me feel my age, I’ve said that before. I was speaking to my sister in law, in Texas, this weekend who had just lost her mother and discovered we’d both been thinking the same thing, “We’re the older generation now…”  We both said….

I woke up this morning to snow and a fox! The thing about snow is it falls heavily without a sound. Not that we even hear the rain in our flat because we don’t have a roof directly overhead. I was like a child.  I had to be out in the snowiness so I bundled…

I’m glad I’m not young anymore because I sure was stupid while I was ticking. Not content with four children under six we, or was it just, I, decided to round out the family good and proper by adding pets. My parents always had a dog.  In fact I learned the art of compassion and…

My oldest son is quite an outstanding example to his siblings and friends alike. He has come far in his career in film, without having to succumb to the industry’s capital…yet. He has a reputation for his talent, his reliability and his work ethic.  Folks who hire him know if he says he’s going to…

My parents bought me a solid gold, gate-link bracelet after I had had my first couple of children.  It was very heavy, very chunky, very beautiful. For the next many Christmases and birthdays they added charms to it.  Original little antiques they found in a family jewellers on the High Street in Broadstairs. I would…

I hear the heat go on. Six o’clock, a swoosh as the gas pilot light self ignites.  Its puff invades my dreams startling me awake.  I stir slightly before my eyes close again and the heavy down comforter floats me back to slumberland. The radiators groan as the water trickles through the pipes.  They stretch…

Her eyes were sparkling again.  I know the signs and long to see them light up with joy every once in a while. In my naiveté, and yes, I am still naive,  I thought I knew the routine because of the three who went before, that in a few weeks, or months, she would adapt…