25th December 2022

Yesterday I was sitting feeling low over my illness when there was a knock on the door. On the doorstep was a stranger bearing three gifts. “Merry Xmas” said the stranger. “I’m a neighbour,” pointing vaguely down the road before leaving.  “Who was it?” I asked, surprised. “Never seen him before,” replied my husband, opening the card. “From Santa” it said. What a kind gesture! OH said he would look out for the man to thank him properly but I’m not sure we’ll see him again. Tonight the 8th Chanukah candle will be lit, coinciding with Xmas. I like the fact that the Hindus and the Jewish people both have festivals of light when candles are lit. Last night, as we do every year, we exchanged a gift with our Hindu neighbours across the road. I congratulated them on the UK having its first Hindu Prime Minister in Rishi Sunak. It seems to me that this world would be a better place if we could all respect one another, irrespective of differences in faith. It matters not what you wear on your head; the important thing is what’s in your heart and soul. How you treat others in this world is crucial. So, as you rush around trying to do everything in your life, try not to be exclusively concerned with your own ‘agenda’. That driver who cut you up on the ringroad might be suffering all kinds of problems. Be kind, just like the Samaritan who rang our doorbell yesterday.

18th December 2022

The radio’s playing “You’ve Got Your Troubles. I’ve Got Mine” by The Fortunes. Reading the news, what a stark portrayal of how some normally sensible, caring people are acting completely out of character. In the 1926 General Strike, which lasted a week, miners had their appalling wages of £6 reduced to £3. But beware soaring inflation. We don’t want to get like 1930s Germany, where you needed a wheelbarrow full of Deutschmarks to buy bread. Why aren’t today’s media highlighting all those (non-public-sector) people, who are struggling without any help or homeless, disabled or relying on food banks? And yet ordinary people can be kind, helping that hard up Bradford self-employed father by donating  £50k to his daughter’s school to provide free school dinners for her and her class mates, right up to next summer.Tonight the festival of Chanukah begins, its message lasting the same length as the 1926 General Strike. Let its light reflect on the true goodness of people. Forget The Fortunes and selfishness. A far better song is ‘Try A Little Kindness. Shine Your Light For Everyone to See,’ by Glen Campbell.

Season’s Greetings to all my readers!

11th December 2022

A bad week (but nothing to do with the football.) Last Sunday I woke up to find the left side of my face had dropped - a year since last time but on other side. GP surgery was of course shut with no apparent emergency doctor available. The website said go to our local emergency walk in centre, but it was shut. A notice on the door said it was no longer a walk in emergency centre but to call a doctor. I rang the number only to hear a recorded message. So in the cold, I rang 111. After an hour on hold I gave up and we drove to A and E. After a wait, the treatment was great. Eventually I had an ECG, a CT scan, blood pressure test, whole body muscle strength tests etc to rule out a stroke, 4 different drugs to take home. Cost to me: nil. It’s clear the NHS needs root and branch reform. I was born before the NHS and in 1948 the system was a brilliant idea but today too many people plus expensive state of the art tech and drugs means it’s no longer affordable. So recommend the French subsidised  model, state pays 70%, state insurance for patients (not private) 30%, disabled/low paid pay nil. Meantime, NHS please note: French hospital doctors prescribe inpatient meals specific to your health condition. Wonderful idea. Would save NHS a lot of money eliminating food waste. French carte vitale card also good: gives first care providers/pharmacists instant electronic med history. So, this morning my face and mood are down.  Bell’s Palsy. Hope I improve soon.

4th December 2022

Tuesday is my platinum birthday. On the radio is Fleetwood Mac, commemorating the sad passing of lead singer Christine McVie - someone of my era. You can go your own way rings in my ears. What exactly has been my own way? When I moved to France in 2005, I needed a totally different pursuit to keep me occupied. But I didn’t realise that so much of myself would flow onto the pages. First I wrote a novel about a university, where I worked for 30 years. Then I progressed a Holocaust trilogy, lest we forget. Meantime I discovered the story of a real but unknown hero, who saved thousands in wartime Vienna. I’m so glad that wonderful indie publisher SpellBound Books recognised how important it is to value those who help others, especially those of a different ethnicity to themselves. The Mandarin Seeds 2nd edition will be published by them on 5 May 2023. My ancestors came from E Europe. All had a typical oy vey self-deprecating humour, so my writing had to reflect this too. So, as well as a humorous look at the US, I plan to publish a revised sequel plus a brand new 3rd in the best-selling Paradis series. Additionally, reflecting on my own traumatic teen years, I’m currently writing novel 4 in my 7-book series for them. Phew! At my age, I do seem to have gone my own way….