The Bookless Club

If you would like to be in regular correspondence with Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, here’s what you do. Live to be 100. To mark the occasion of your personal centenary, the Queen will send you… Read More »LONG LIFE?

I knew it was a mistake. I had things to do, after all. I did it anyway. The siren call of old photos is impossible to resist. I tip a box labelled Clementine onto the… Read More »ANOTHER DOG?

As anniversary gifts go, it’s a pretty good one. It’s attractive, it doesn’t take up a lot of space, it’s useful and it tips the scales in the all-important thoughtfulness category.   He’s bought her a… Read More »STAYCATIONS

“Well, now, let’s have a look at the baby.” This inquiry had become a regular part of our daily walk.   Every day, I’d load the wee bairn into the buggy and head to a neighbourhood… Read More »ADVICE FOR NEW PARENTS

Some years ago I had the great pleasure of spending a bit of time with Jay Leno. He’d yet to take the reins of the Tonight Show but he was already famous. Leno’s burgeoning fan… Read More »SWEARING

“You. Are. Drunk,” was my cool assessment. “I am?” she replied, a look of astonishment registering on her face.  A heartbeat. “I am!” she acknowledged as the irrefutable truth dawned on her. Another heartbeat. “I… Read More »DRINKING

“Hello dark roast, my old friend …” Ahhhh, coffee. Sweet elixir of life … or vile, unsatisfying habit: which is it? After years of coffee consumption, I’m at a crossroads. I didn’t start drinking coffee… Read More »COFFEE ALTERNATIVES

There’s lots to read when you’re kayaking in a harbour. In fact, it sometimes feels like I’m back at university, idling in the library stacks. Everywhere you look, water and words. Strong words, archaic words,… Read More »THE GOOD SHIP WHAT’SERNAME

It’s hard to believe that anyone can claim to have invented the ubiquitous sandwich. I mean, really?! It’s the equivalent of claiming to be the sole genius behind dunking a cookie into cocoa.  As an… Read More »SANDWICH COUTURE