Reading Matters: Just Kids Patti Smith

Just Kids – Patti Smith “When you hit a wall, just kick it in” O Patti  – you are the opposite of me and the sum total of who I could have been had I but dared to venture.  Watching you live your life with passion and intent,  tracking the path it takes you  –…

Reading Matters “I Am” by Michelle Scally-Clarke

(In which the author and me explore some painful family memories, talk about adoption, feel empowered by dual heritage and learn to sing our song) This was a tough read for me. No point pretending: where lives intersect there can be a curious pain. But don’t let my experience challenge you, above all, I loved…

The Weekend Matters: Pink Grapefruit, Lemon and Raspberry Punch

(In which the writer finds Alice Oswald, makes peace with Graham Norton, draws together her family and celebrates the end of the kitchen project) Summer Tea Party Saturday dawned, breezy and bright and we hoped against hope the rain would hold off. Well it’s England and its summer and it didn’t but somehow, it didn’t…

Thinking Space Required

I love the open invitation The still silent places, Empty with promise. Then the noise and bustle of the city The taxi rides past The rain, falls in New York? Chicago? I am a camera A passenger A silent watcher And thief of souls. Marry me.