How Not To Swim in Circles?

November 24, 2023

I’m not American and we don’t eat a special meal today, but I do like the custom of stopping to be grateful once a year. Actually, I try to notice things to be grateful for all year, but Thanksgiving brings it into sharper focus. I don’t think it will surprise anyone that I’m thankful to be alive. If I’d had no treatment for the cancer at all, I think they’d…

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I’m Sick and Tired of Being in Limbo

January 29, 2023

There’s no way I could work 40 hours a week. I can’t sit for more than a couple of hours together, and I don’t have normal stamina – I doubt that I ever will. But I don’t want to sit in a corner and rust. I’d love to work part-time, preferably something creative that gets me out of the house and meeting people. I want to sell my books and…

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One year after my amputation, I’m officially disabled.

Between Christmas and New Year, I had a panel of specialists assess my degree of disability. I’d already had my application for a disabled parking permit turned down. A report from my surgeon saying, “I had to cut her leg off,” was insufficient; I needed that particular piece of paper. Well now I’ve got the magic document and I can apply again. There’s more. This means I pay reduced sales…

January 16, 2023
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It’s my Stumpiversary!

One year ago today I was wheeled down to the operating theatre without knowing how many legs I’d have when I woke up. The surgeons spent about 6 hours trying to save my left leg, but the cancer had eaten too far into the bone and they had to amputate, right at the top. So I’ve had a year to come to terms with it. I started by making a…

January 13, 2023
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The Best Thing I Ever Decluttered

It only took me 15 minutes and it reduces stress every day. Is your New Year resolution to declutter the house? If so, congratulations. Most houses are better for it. A clutter free home looks nicer, but it’s also faster to clean and easier to find things. I’m far from a decluttering guru, and our house is very much a work in progress, but one exercise in decluttering stands out….

January 10, 2023
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Happy New Year

We had a rather quiet New Year at home, but still rather nice. In Spain it’s traditional to eat one grape for each “bong” of the clock. If you manage all twelve in the time it’s supposed to bring success and prosperity. This year we had small, seedless grapes and I scarfed them down in time. Then we drank champagne, watched the fireworks and went to bed. I’ve been rather…

January 1, 2023
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