I am halfway through reading The Fellowship of the Ring. There is something rather perfect about reading of the Shire, elven meals under the stars, rivers and woods, at this time of year. Not only that, but it feels like we need stories like this more than ever. (That is, tales of overcoming and hope…
Category: Reflections
Apples
We have an abundance of apples, and in a world half-starved of joy, I want to celebrate that. We made toffee apples, which for us, was more about the process than the end result. In the afternoon sunshine, we filled our arms with apples from the tree. My daughter washed them, enjoying the running water…
September Small Things
“All the months are crude experiments, out of which the perfect September is made.” Virginia Woolf I can relate to Virginia Woolf’s love of September. There is something so beautifully fresh about this month. Nature starts doing new things, gently, with an air of wisdom. There are the cool mornings and evenings; the gentle light…
Summer Small Things
I have been struggling with writing about my summer this year, because, more than ever, this time feels like a luxury in this busy, broken world. It’s not that I have done anything particularly grand, but even just getting to be at home with my kids for six weeks, living in peace and freedom, feels…
I made a book!
If you have been following my blog for a while, you will know that books are one of the things I love the most. You will also know that writing is one of the things that brings me peace and joy, whatever is going on in my life and the world. It is how I…
Big Things
I write very often about the small things: little pleasures and tiny moments and small acts of love. When savoured, celebrated and sewn together, these make for a beautiful, glad life. I believe very much in the power of small things, even over the darkness and chaos of our foolish, warring world. Today, though, I…
3 Great Reads
Lately, my words haven’t been coming so easily. I have a brain that is tired, and it needs permission to be quiet. It sometimes needs the words and music of others to fill it with colour and hope. It needs to be distracted, rested and soothed. So I haven’t been writing much, although I hope…
Back to the Blog (Small Things)
I got a rejection email on my book. I was expecting it, but was still disappointed. For a moment, it made me feel like giving up on writing. But I have learned a few things over recent years. The first is that I couldn’t stop writing, even if I wanted to; it is a part…
Favourite Books
I recently read a book that was so good I had to add a sixth star to my rating system – and it made me think about my very favourite books. These are the ones that leave a lasting impression on me, the ones that, for whatever reason, I simply love, in an enduring way….
Small Things
It has been a challenging week, but there are always small joys to keep me going. This week’s list celebrates all the senses. Thank God for the vivid red of a patch of poppies against a blue sky, and the small, spotted ladybird climbing a stem, and the wild strawberries I picked to make tea….
