Some years ago, in the midst of an argument, my wife said to me, "There's more to running a house than making dinner." She was right, there's no denying it. I felt shame being perceived as such a domestic "one-trick pony", but it also resonated in a different way, as something I rely on to … [Read more...] about Comfort Food
Relationships
Imagining The Worst
One morning last weekend, we couldn't find the dog's collar which made me irrationally angry. The two things I really can't deal with, apart from goat's cheese, are being late, according to my exacting routine, and losing things. So not being able to locate the collar made me late for walking the … [Read more...] about Imagining The Worst
Why Screen Time Hurts You More Than Your Kids
I wrote this post a few years ago but it seemed a good time to publish it as I’m helping my son and his girlfriend move into their first house this weekend which means I don’t have the time I usually have to write, and I’m thinking a lot about what a joyful life it’s been watching my kids grow up … [Read more...] about Why Screen Time Hurts You More Than Your Kids
How A Knife Reminded Me Of Self-Abandonment
In the kitchen drawer, there is a knife that I kept from my mother's house after she died in 2007. I don't know why I ended up with this particular piece but whenever I look at it I am reminded of the meals from childhood. Sitting around the cluttered kitchen table that doubled as a desk for … [Read more...] about How A Knife Reminded Me Of Self-Abandonment
The Benefits Of Settling
Pulling a second batch of hot cross buns from the oven having forgotten to add spice to the first batch and essentially making fruity bread rolls I am thinking about the relationship between "settling" and "striving". In Oliver Burkeman's excellent book "Four Thousand Weeks" he posits the … [Read more...] about The Benefits Of Settling