Uncategorized – A Room of my Own

LOLA – more than a snippet

Now I want to talk about Lola. Lola came as a gift to me, I think, in my later life after Michou died, more than a year ago. I had not intended to get another cat. But then I missed him. I realised how much the presence of a cat meant to me, and soContinue reading “LOLA – more than a snippet”

I WAS THE COOK’S DAUGHTER

I have always maintained that my mother was the Jamie Oliver of her day. I even wrote to Jamie Oliver, not expecting a reply, and of course I didn’t get one. It was in 1955 that the publishers Dennis Dobson published a book called Better Cooking for Large Numbers by Nora Radenhurst. That was myContinue reading “I WAS THE COOK’S DAUGHTER”

THE DEAN’S WATCH

I am reading The Dean’s Watch by Elizabeth Goudge. It is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. Elizabeth Goudge was a writer, she was born in 1900 in Wells where her father was the Principal of the theological college there. She subsequently lived in the cathedral city of Ely and finallyContinue reading “THE DEAN’S WATCH”

DO WE MAKE THE WEATHER?

Here is a picture of a beautiful landscape and a clear blue sky, with a few benign white clouds, But that can quickly change to dark clouds, pouring rain, thunder and lightning, tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes. Or picture on the contrary an arid landscape with no vegetation, a hot burning sun: or again aContinue reading “DO WE MAKE THE WEATHER?”

THE QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE

Today marks the beginning of the celebrations to mark the ascension of our gracious Queen to the throne of Great Britain. I think many of us would agree that she has become Queen of the world, unlike some, who shall be nameless, with similar aspirations. I felt like writing this little snippet today to commemorateContinue reading “THE QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE”

CARE HOMES AND REGULATIONS

This is my snippet for today. I have an old friend, Valerie, she is the same age as me, ninety three. About twelve, thirteen years ago she contracted leukaemia, and probably about nine years ago she went into a care home. Her illness affected her immune system and so today she is walking with aContinue reading “CARE HOMES AND REGULATIONS”

HOW I SURVIVED LOCKDOWN

Arunachala Deep in the cave of the heart Is brahman for ever alone The unique I, the unique Self, Enter, O man, into this depth of thyself, With thought turned within, With mind sunk in the Self, At peace, Fixed in the Self, Having become thyself! OM Sri Ramana Maharshi It was in 1993 thatContinue reading “HOW I SURVIVED LOCKDOWN”

WHY READ JANE EYRE?

I was listening to the radio the other day and heard a snippet of news which brought me up short. It seems that the idea is being mooted that children should no longer be allowed to read Jane Eyre, as they might find the events described therein distressing to their tender minds (?) This ideaContinue reading “WHY READ JANE EYRE?”

WHAT COMES AFTER DEATH?

I have chosen a painting by Rothko to illustrate my theme. Rothko based his paintings on the use of simple colours. As we know, colour is very emotive. His aim, he said, was to reduce people to tears through his paintings and it seems he succeeded in this. I have chosen this theme as aContinue reading “WHAT COMES AFTER DEATH?”

NEW BEGINNINGS

This a portrait of Virginia Woolf which I painted some years ago. I was struck by her beauty and her sensitivity, and I think also by the intelligence and strength which I saw in her. I am a great admirer of her work, though I have to admit I can only read it in snatches.Continue reading “NEW BEGINNINGS”