I am making my way around the makeshift quiz they've erected on medical screens at the GP surgery. Prevented from leaving for fifteen minutes after the vaccine, in case of an allergic reaction, someone decided it would be a good idea to ask a bunch of questions about the Romans and neolithic … [Read more...] about A Dogs Guide To Anxiety
Relationships
A Matter Of Nature
It's mental health awareness week and another opportunity for me to grumble to anyone who will listen about why on earth we think there is still a problem with "awareness" and why we can't just do something about it instead. Anyway, the theme this year is nature which is precipitating a deluge of … [Read more...] about A Matter Of Nature
Dealing With A Dragon
Staring at the stud wall I'm trying to conceal my anxiety. My daughter asked me to put up a shelf for her some weeks ago but I'm nervous about using the right fixings and making sure it doesn't fall off again. "I just need to charge the drill," I say, playing for time and cursing my father for … [Read more...] about Dealing With A Dragon
The Return of the Night-Time Economy
My son went back into his office this week for the first time in many months. "Have you got everything?" Peering into his bag, "Rail pass, laptop charger, wallet, I think so." "Passport?" He seemed genuinely excited like he was going on holiday. The children have been sanguine about … [Read more...] about The Return of the Night-Time Economy
When Perseverance Is Really Worth It
I think I always knew that I don't like goat's cheese but it's only relatively recently that I came to realise I don't need to. Some years ago, before that epiphany, I was on holiday and a persuasive man in a French market told me that he had a hard goat's cheese which would convert me. I was … [Read more...] about When Perseverance Is Really Worth It