It’ll be wasp season soon —he says, well aware that the very idea of “seasons” is an increasingly futile one— and so any slight buzzing has me frantically scanning for something, anything, I can use as a weapon. I don’t think I’ve ever told the story of when I was stung. It was, I think, my Dad’s birthday. I can...

What song makes you want to write poetry? Has to be Guy Garvey, a wonderful weaving wordsmith. And while there are many songs to choose, and while I already feel the tears creeping to my eyes, it has to be Scattered Black & Whites. Why? This is why: Been climbing trees I’ve skinned my knees My hands are black, the...

Apropos of nothing, a list. Roughly ordered. The West Wing Severance The Sopranos The Thick of it Blackadder Mr. Robot Hannibal Slow Horses Luther Frasier Breaking Bad 24 Fawlty Towers The Wire Gilmore Girls Red Dwarf Line of Duty The Office (UK) Friends Ted Lasso Cracker The Studio Fleabag Only Fools and Horses The...

Share a song that captures the feeling of being brave. The album, News of the World, was a seminal moment for my youthful ears. I’d discovered a copy of Jazz in my parents record collection when I was around 10, and my Dad mentioned that I could probably find other albums by the band in the local library. News of...

Day 88. I think he sees it now. I thought as much last week but, for sure, this morning confirms it. 107.1 107.1 106.9 107.1 It’s consistent for sure. It’s a plateau. He forgets I can see that he’s gotten away from what he was doing. He’s eating a little less carefully, his exercise levels have dropped. I can see...

“The Sun Rising” by The Beloved Listen on Apple Music Your browser does not support the audio element. What’s a song you’d want to hear while watching the sunrise? Songs are memories. I was a bleary eyed 17 year old, pulling his first all-nighter. I’d visited clubs that are now legendary —Amnesia, Space, Ku— that at...

I am fifty-two. All the clichés are true. Time changes everything. That’s hardly a revelation to anyone older than me, and those of a similar vintage are probably nodding along with all the wisdom we’ve collated. We like to tell ourselves we’re ageing like fine wine, and I think there’s a little truth in that. I...

“All I Need” by Air & Beth Hirsch Listen on Apple Music Your browser does not support the audio element. What’s a song you associate with your favorite photograph? We have black and white version of this framed on our wall. A quiet moment for Becca. A moment where our future is captured before it has arrived. I knew...

Let me just say that again, because I can’t quite believe it. My son, our little bundle of joy and chaos, starts school today. He turns 5 in October and is very very ready for school. I think. No, he is. He is most definitely ready, and ohhh so excited. I’m not sure I am though. I mean it was only yesterday I was...

“This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)” by Talking Heads Listen on Apple Music Your browser does not support the audio element. Share a song that captures the feeling of being understood. I can’t recall what she said, not exactly, as we lay in bed facing each other, inches apart. We’d been talking for a while,...

A weekly recap of the articles and posts I’ve read that I think are worth your time. Tech sucks: You have to vote with your wallet, or nothing will change – 82MHz — I enjoy Apple products. But I am aware of the “trap” I am in. Does that make me complacent? Controlled? Less so or more so than those in the Android...

A Japanese practice that involves spending time in a forest to promote relaxation and connect with nature. The term (森林浴) translates to “forest bath”. The idea of forest bathing —of taking time to be in nature, of slowing down and paying attention to the sights, sounds, colours and textures around you— is not a new...