A Satchel Full of Platitudes
Describe something you learned in high school. I learned that history was neat and packaged. No suggestion of Marxist interpretations nor Japanese interpretations. Hitler acted completely alone. His propaganda duped a nation. We were to feel sorry for them but rest assured that could never happen in Scotland. Nor were harsh economic sanctions driving those…
Running with the Roe Deer
What’s the most fun way to exercise? Outside the city’s hype and melancholy, in green pastures where the roe deer stare, then turn and jump, effortlessly, clearing the fence meant to contain them. If they could smile they would, their little white hairy powder puffs they wiggle in delight. Free. This is where walking or…
Messy Church
What book could you read over and over again? The Scriptures I read over and over again. Daily. The Word is living and I go to the Word of God when I am angry, happy, jealous and scared. And many other emotions in between. When I am confused, doubting and weary I feel like I…
Life is Not a Lottery
If you could be a character from a book or film, who would you be? Why? When I am about to re-enter a dangerous situation and arrogantly presume I will get out again, my husband often retorts: “Aye Daniel was freed from the den of lions – but he didn’t go back for his bonnet!”…
The Liberation of `NO’
How often do you say “no” to things that would interfere with your goals? I have learnt to say No from saying Yes. From crouching fetal-like in self-betrayal. Many times that happened until, by the Grace of God, the connection, the pattern became visible. Yes, it was my yes, that never should have been, that…
Weather that won’t cost the Earth
What is your favourite type of weather? Weather that won’t cost the earth is my favourite weather. I don’t pretend to understand all the science behind climate change. I can see with my eyes though that weather in Scotland is changing and can be inordinately hot. Different from the weather of my youth when one…
Highway to the Heights
“Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic” To walk more every day, especially in the hills is something I would like to do. Walking teaches me. The rhythm, the fresh air, the sightseeing. Yes it’s therapeutic and so lovely discovering places the bus or car…
The Godfather
What is one word that describes you? `God’s’ That is the one word that describes me. After many prodigal years I found that out by accident. Killing time, staying uncomfortably, in someone else’s house I read the Footprints in the Sand poem which was in a clip frame in their bathroom. I could hardly avoid…
The pleasure of Patience
My mum was coming down her stairs. A difficult feat in her last days and only performed if she had an appointment she had to attend. I was working daily on a roller coaster of emotions. The intensity of caring for an elderly, widowed mother with historic emotional challenges, was not easy. “Come on mum…
Confidence from the Shadows
The most confident person I know made barely a whisper in my early teenage years. They were assigned to the shadows. I was fascinated by the glare. School assembly many years ago and a talk from a charity representative. She was blonde, tall, slim with legs and hair shaped by the gods. She moved effortlessly…
The Garden Bug
What activities do you lose yourself in? “Well at least it will give you peace of mind” was all I seemed to hear when my first flush of youth was over. “I don’t want peace of mind” I raged inside. I want drama, romance, jealousy, possession, love! I guess you can’t want something you never…
Letters to press
Dear Letters department, Assisted Dying Vote March 17 2026 Have we forgotten the State Intervention we loathed during COVID? Preventing the spread of the COVID virus took precedence over all the usual etiquette between patients, their families, healthcare and the State. Anything that divides families, creates information vacuums, fear through isolation can only lead to…
Have we forgotten the State Intervention we Loathed during COVID?
I just knew 2026 was going to be a challenge. For twelve years my husband had enjoyed little complication from Prostate cancer. Now he has advanced stage 4 prostate cancer. The advanced bit we knew early January. The PSA blood test used to detect if prostate cancer spreads had rocketed. More than doubled in a…
The Hidden Paws
Which animal would you compare yourself to and why? I guess cats. If I am to make any comparison then cats. For starters I can sleep like cats sleep. For long, long periods. I am a real stickler for routine the way cats are. I like to think I go where I am needed, like…
The ton, the telegram and the terrified
Write a letter to your 100-year-old self. To be the ton – a whole hundred years on the planet! And, if the Royalty is still in situ in Britain in 2072, to get a telegram of congratulations! It’s hard to write a letter to my 100 year old self. So many variables. I can’t imagine…
Margaret’s Magic
What is your middle name? Does it carry any special meaning/significance? We were big on middle names in my family. Many used their middle name as their first name. I was not too hot on my middle name. It seemed so boring and so old fashioned. I guess when I knew it was my grandma’s…
The Fantastic Freedom to Fail
How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success? Fear of failure is toxic. Paralysing. You can feel physically unwell though nothing is wrong. It is overwhelming, terrifying and produces catastrophic thinking. It’s been a long time since I felt like that. Recovery from this fear of failure has had a…
The Watch, the Miraculous Medal and the Lipstick
What are three objects You couldn’t live without? The watch, about £20 sterling, is a much favoured daily object. I’ve had the garmins, the apps. Done my year on year comparisons. Sweated on the days I forgot my watch or the battery went and how that would affect ‘results’. This watch by Hearkent is more…
Learning to hear birdsong
What experiences in life helped you grow the most? “St David of Wales famously reminded us ‘Do the little things’” It was a summer of contrasts, fearful imaginings and new beginnings. I met a man. A real man. My tumultuous and never should have happened marriage was dispersing into an empty painful divorce. We couldn’t…
My brother’s suicide
Describe a phase in life that was difficult to say goodbye to. Perhaps because there is no goodbye it was the hardest. Worse still anyone who has experienced this tragedy knows you piece together your own goodbye with what ifs, regrets, disbelief. And for a long time all this shapes the narrative backwards. You doubt…
Ashes to Ashes
ASHES to ASHES I have grown to like the humbling of ashes on my forehead. The chance to speak up in silence the charcoal cross carved on my forehead as my blonde hair caresses. And to look around to see who else is saying today ‘ I am God’s child’ And that is the most…
Forgiveness the best gift
Forgiveness unforseen you gave me without a ‘But’ without a price tag without a regular reminder bitter and grudged. ‘It might take me a while to trust’ you said but it didn’t because you knew yourself and you knew me and you wanted our love more than ego. Ego is lonely and unforgiveness an open…
20/20 Vision
What were your parents doing at the age you are now? That’s a great question. I asked myself that about my mum when I was 36. It gave me a huge new perspective on our relationship. Turned out at 36 she had 6 kids, some nippy co-workers and a mind that wasn’t always positive. Whereas…
A Doctor for the Living
Your expertise I do not doubt Your algorithms, statistics and precise patterning I can only marvel at. Your awards are well deserved Your world renowned reputation is something I myself spread. In the cities the Bookmakers concur and gleam from your accuracy. Your prediction of time, of time left, of how and the how…
Twelve Years
When 12 years of remission from cancer ends ….
Fool Me Once
Naked, it feels, in a cafe, at work, or a family gathering. Bargaining with God this can’t be the deal Lord! They think I am a fool They tell me I am a fool Am I a fool? Sacrifice God sure – but why this one? Why are the beautiful things in my life foolish…
Cherry Blossom in Winter
Finding grace in unexpected places. Travelling light with our Creator. Learning to accept what needs pruned in our life to make way for new growth.
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