Tag Archives: family

In which I avoid a difficult subject with a poem about snow

Posted on December 17, 2011 by

I have mentioned before that I attend a Royal Literary Fund ‘Reading Matters’ group every week. It is a wonderful idea; led by fabulous poet Julia Copus we listen to her read a short story and a poem each week, … Continue reading →

Posted in Breast cancer, Poetry, Random musings on family life, love the universe and everything, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

‘Parenting is such sweet sorrow…’

Posted on November 19, 2011 by

I am feeling drained at the moment. Sleeping badly; feeling physically creaky; eating all the wrong food again after five weeks on a healthy eating blitz: it is no wonder that my emotional reserves are in the human equivalent of … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Random musings on family life, love the universe and everything | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

An Islington murder

Posted on October 21, 2011 by

Or should I say, TWO Islington murders…. Readers of my blog might know that I have been undertaking research on the area around Clerkenwell and Islington generally as I work to understand the life my London ancestors led. I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Family History, History | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The mystery of the missing grandmother – or ‘O Bessie. Where Art Thou?’

Posted on August 30, 2011 by

I wrote this post last year and although I have recently discovered a little more about the strange dynamic of the Hardiman family I still cannot trace my Grandma. There are hints that as ‘Bessie’ she might be the daughter of her … Continue reading →

Posted in Family History, History, Random musings on family life, love the universe and everything, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A postcard from Liechtenstein

Posted on July 18, 2011 by

How many people can name the capital of Liechtenstein? Or tell me where it is in relation to other European countries? What languages are spoken? What are its major exports and its unit of currency? And how is it faring … Continue reading →

Posted in Random musings on family life, love the universe and everything | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

How do we heal ‘mental illness’ – Psychotherapy in action

Posted on June 2, 2011 by

Editor’s note: This is the ninth in a series of monthly mental health guest posts. This month we have an expert opinion from the wonderful Anna Colgan, a Core Process Psychotherapist & Somatic Experiencing (SE) Practitioner.  Anna was trained at … Continue reading →

Posted in Mental health, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Eurovision Song Contest – you’re awful, but I like you….

Posted on May 13, 2011 by

A cheesy title for a cheesy subject, but I couldn’t resist it. I have just been out to buy a lot of nibbles and a lot more alcohol and tomorrow from 8pm this household is going to par -tay. Seriously … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Random musings on family life, love the universe and everything | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

On finding real truth, peace and reconciling ourselves to the future

Posted on April 22, 2011 by

It is Good Friday. I once again maintained a Furneaux family tradition quite alone by eating far too many Hot Cross Buns. I am anticipating chocolate eggs on Sunday and looked forward to having the family around me for a … Continue reading →

Posted in Mental health, Random musings on family life, love the universe and everything, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

‘Keep it in the family’ – can a family history ever reveal the truth of tragedy ?

Posted on March 29, 2011 by

I have written before on the subject of my Great Uncle Alf Hardiman (see ‘An Unsound Mind’) and had an article published in Family Tree magazine (A Shadowy Past) relating his story and linking it to a family history of … Continue reading →

Posted in Family History, History, Mental health, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

A little tooth shows us a big, big truth….

Posted on March 25, 2011 by

This is something of a random, impulsive post; but I just had to share with you a wonderful poem that was introduced at the reading group I attend. We are lucky to have the poet Julia Copus running our group … Continue reading →

Posted in Family History, Poetry, Random musings on family life, love the universe and everything, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments