I think we all have an idea of where we fit on the thrill-seeking scale, whether our perfect day out would involve white water rafting or a visit to a National Trust property followed by a cup of tea and a piece of carrot cake. The recent easing of lockdown restrictions has only highlighted the…
Can cinemas tempt us from our sofas?
Welcome news for all film lovers – cinemas are re-opening at the end of July. Watching movies on television from the comfort of your sofa is pleasant enough and it’s certainly cheap. Plus you get exactly the choice of snacks and drinks you want, and can press pause anytime you like for a handy loo…
Empty plinths
I have a plinth. Which I stand on. Before you become jealous, I should add that it’s a wooden structure, only a few centimetres high. And it was very kindly made by the resident carpenter so that I would have a flat surface for my tai chi practice in the garden. What passes for our…
My “Don’t Do It” List
Although I have tried very hard not to make lists since losing my flowery Filofax, I haven’t been entirely successful. Without realising it, I have been mentally compiling a list of things that I will never do. I know that this isn’t in keeping with the self-improvement spirit of our age, but I think that…
Pining for a simpler life
I know this doesn’t make much sense, but as we emerge blinking into the light I’m feeling nostalgic for the early days of lockdown. Not that initial period of panic buying when the shops had been cleared of loo roll and long-life milk, when everyone was trying to figure out how Zoom worked and what…
Everything must go!
I know I said that organising drawers was at the very bottom of my ‘to-do’ list, but that was several weeks ago and things change. The barrel is being scraped and sorting out drawers and cupboards is my activity of last resort. I’ve been surprisingly ruthless at getting rid of things because I have decided…
Freed from the tyranny of lists
I have lost my Filofax – half the population will wonder what that is and the other half will be surprised that there were any still left in existence. I didn’t do any of the things you’re supposed to do with it like keeping track of my very busy diary or storing the addresses of…
What your bookshelves say about you
Being confined to your home for long periods can lead to an unhealthy preoccupation with things that really don’t matter very much and it seems that the humble bookshelf is enjoying its moment in the sun. As we gaze at an ever-changing cast of talking heads broadcasting from their homes, what we’re really doing is…
Brain clutter and tai chi
I am practising tai chi, concentrating on the stretch going from my shoulder to my fingertips – for about 20 seconds, then my mind wanders off in another random direction. Why do I seem to have no control over my brain whatsoever? Surely I should be in charge and if I’m not, then who is?
The kitchen cupboards of last resort
It’s happened – I’ve finally run out of interesting and distracting things to do and have resorted to clearing out kitchen cupboards. There’s something in the air and I can no longer resist it. I’m sure I can do it without Marie Kondo’s help though and, really, how much is there in a kitchen cupboard…