Have you ever written a letter to a major daily newspaper, talk-backed on the radio or made any public comment? I haven’t. (Except the VIVA 70 forum which is a very positive, supportive community and very occasionally Facebook and Insta.) Writing a letter to the editor generates a mountain of…

In the new world we live in where we have little control over events and outcomes and the lens on our older selves is shifting. Older people are described as vulnerable, at risk and need isolating for the protection of themselves and others.  While all this is true  and appropriate…

The Back-Drop Let’s stop for a moment and take stock. Worldwide people are sick and dying and our countries have adopted a fortress mentality for self protection. We’re building our walls, isolating ourselves from our families and staying well is the primary goal. All around us people are losing their…

It’s St Patrick’s Day! And while social distancing, corona virus and hand washing are front of mind we hope that in the confines of your home you’ll play some fine Irish music, have a Guinness or wine and pay homage to this Irish saint on 17th March. Clover is said…

Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin… said the BBC Radio presenter on Children’s Hour, the must listen program for kids in 1950’s England. We gathered in the parlour, my sister and I and we’d listen to a story being read on radio. I remember Little Women and Enid Blyton’s…

I came across this wonderful TED talk the other day by Yvonne van Amerongen. I’m always on the look out for information about Dementia as we have a family member who lives with this dreadful illness. He’s 83 and life is a turmoil for him as his memory is diminished…

Two of my friends have died in the last two weeks. I’m here in Bali receiving messages from home. I remember my mother, who was famously caustic in her commentary on life, saying that at 80 her only social engagements were to attend funerals and do her weekly shopping. Both…

Last night I moseyed down to the beach club for sunset drinks,  which in my new angel status world means a slushy mocktail probably with more calories than a decent glass of wine. However I feel virtuous and I don’t miss alcohol in this very stress free world where the…

Financial management is a tricky thing. It’s something you learn. It’s not just common sense. And many women are really bad at it. It’s only in recent years that we have started a conversation about women and money and dare I say that Oprah Winfrey and Suze Orman had a…