My husband and I got married on the 4th July 2009, and my goodness, what a lot has happened in our lives – and in the world – since then. Our wedding day was hot and sunny. We were young and full of life and naivety. I spent the morning causing my mum untold stress…
Category: Reflections
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….
Easter
I have a headache from too much scrolling, content consumption and content creation, yet I find myself back here on my blog. This little space on the internet is my gentle space. More often than not, I bring myself here to share simple joys and encouragements. I rest here, and I record things that feel…
Holiday To Do List
I posted this poem, inspired by Alex Dawson’s prompt, on my Substack, but it felt like something I wanted to share here, too: Holiday To Do List Go to the field, just after dawn Stand and gaze at the light See how the sun illuminates budding and blossoming trees Feel your chin lift. Let the…
Small Things: Thank God for celandines…
… and forget-me-nots, and dandelions, and wood anemone, and bluebells… The small things are my miracles, really. I have written it before, and will, no doubt, write it again: it is the small things that give me faith and hope when everything seems a bit bleak. They are my mustard seeds, which help me to…
Life Lately
We have had some late nights, long days and big emotions in our family this week. Honestly, I’m exhausted. As always, though, there are joys and profundities woven among the difficulties. I have been sharing lent updates (and other bits and pieces) on my Substack, here. I am finding our lent activities quietly hopeful and…
Small Things
Writing, for me, has always been a way of honing in on the beautiful, the hopeful and the wonderful. I like to write to notice and name. I often write ‘in praise of…’ things. I do write to express and process pain, questions, sadness and anger, and this, too can be very helpful, to myself,…
The Colour Purple
Lately, I long for sincerity, selflessness and simplicity. Mostly – along with the rest of the world – I long for hope. Is it just me? I try to write, and then I wonder what I can possibly have to say to this weary world. I feel overwhelmed as I look at everything with my…
On Haikus, Trees and Kindness
Lately, I have been reminded again just how much we need to contemplate nature. Without it, humanity is somewhat prone to losing our collective head. We have recently seen the most ludicrous acts of violence, abuses of power and truly bizarre attempts at reasoning. It is distressing and it must be confronted. This, combined with…
The Farmer’s Wife, by Helen Rebanks
Helen Rebanks’ memoir about life as a farmer’s wife is sincere, relatable, and a great read. Of course, it is not simply about being someone’s wife. It is a frank account of figuring out life as a woman. Rebanks happens to have chosen life as a wife and a mother of four, but her story…
Life Lived 