I wake up thinking about how this week's post isn't the way I wanted it to be and wonder if it was wise to have drafted it in bed after a late night with friends. The angst makes me think about words written by the Reverend John Ames to his young son in Marilynne Robinson's Pulitzer Prize-winning … [Read more...] about Perfectionist Tendencies
Self Acceptance
A Dogs Guide To Anxiety
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
A Garden Of Riches
A couple of years ago I was telling my son about an idea I'd had. "I think I'm going to start an Airbnb for gardens." "What do you mean?", he said. "People who don't have gardens could rent space from people who do but can't be bothered to garden them." He pushes out his bottom lip and … [Read more...] about A Garden Of Riches
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