On Sunday morning, arriving downstairs post-reveille to the sight of my mother baking momentarily regressed me back to my boyhood. The pouring of Kellogs’ cereal into a yellow Tupperware bowl, which we’d had since the late 1960’s, in association with mater’s mixing bowl magic transporting me back to my Gateshead childhood. Up to her elbows in flour, eggs, milk, sugar and water, in reference to my tardiness at leaving my […]
On Saturday afternoon, as one of the acts performing at Garforth’s G-Fest music event, I was part of an ensemble singing choral versions of popular contemporary refrains Headlining the community stage, we (Garforth Community Choir) played a 15 minute set incorporating the songs You Gotta Be, Happy, Shackles, Is This Love, Lovely Day. Our audience several hundred East Leeds revellers – Discerning music lovers gathering at the Glebelands venue in […]
Tomorrow I’ll be part of a voluntary team running a tombola stall at Rothwell Carnival, aiming to raise funds towards the provision of Marie Curie end of life nursing. Sitting here putting pen to paper I’m currently surrounded by carrier bags full of the prizes magnanimously donated by family and friends in support of tomorrow’s fundraising effort. These benefactions including toiletries, books, scented candles, fashion accessories, pottery ornament and clothes…… […]
Occasionally I’m asked about what it’s like aboard the emotionally fraught rollercoaster ride which manifests from my spouses incurable cancer diagnosis. My inquisitors, individuals who’ve not previous shared this venture along a metaphorical cobbled path while in possession of nitroglycerin. People seeking to understand what’s it’s like existing with a clan member who in their own words are a “Ticking time bomb.” A device patiently awaiting the opportunity to move […]
This morning I accompanied Karen to an oncologist appointment for the results of her recent CT Scan. Occasions like this are always tense times; the seemingly endless build up to acquire news of how her multiple tumours are behaving. Unlike reality show contestants awaiting results, our news is important – Literally a matter of life and death. Not angst born from worrying about being kicked off a glorified talent show […]
This week sees the eighth anniversary of a life changing event that shook my family to it’s core. A time my brood and I were ushered, or more accurately dragged kicking and screaming, onto an unwanted emotional rollercoaster sojourn. A ride with no height restrictions, or indeed any other discriminatory parameters, allowing for non-participation. My wife’s incurable cancer diagnosis blindsiding me to such an extent I felt as though I’d […]
Ordinarily, I don’t watch breakfast TV magazine shows. Indifference to celebrity gossip, unashamed self publicity of guest’s new books and show biz ‘idols’ showing similar indifference in reporter Dan Wootton’s selfies, negating my desire to pay it much mind. This morning, though, I was glued to a segment of ITV’s Lorraine show, featuring a remarkably spirited and inspirational lady named Kris Hallenga. A girl who, following her diagnosed of secondary […]
