family

My mum and Richard Gere

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Everyone’s talking about the kindness of George Clooney visiting an 87 year old in a nursing home making her day. Well done George I say!

It immediately reminded me of my mum’s wee crush on Richard Gere and how her and a few ladies from her church club would take themselves off to the cinema to see his films. This really made me chuckle they were in their seventies. One day she did say;

‘I have left the bedroom window open, but, alas, he didn’t climb in’.

This was followed by the fact that;

‘Remember -having a man brings dirty socks too’. ..What a woman!

Why am  telling this story?… as we approach Mother’s day for those of us who find this day a struggle I am suggesting you think of a funny story of your own mother to bring a smile to your face..as that is what they would want. For us to remember their love and the good times.

My own tribute to Dorothy (my mum) is available  now on Amazon Kindle.

‘A Mother’s Love’ My Mum said…Gospels according to Dorothy.

 

Missing the Ferry…sheer Irish magic!

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Last night fans of ‘Missing the Ferry’ were treated to a sizzling hot night of great music at the Farmer’s Boy pub St Albans. The band consisting of three oh so talented brothers, Paul, Kevin and Chris Anderson and Kevin (the adopted brother and fourth band member). All three men have great voices as well as  skilful playing of multi-instruments throughout the night.

They played some of the really great Irish classics: Dirty Old Town, Galway girl, Black Velvet Band, Irish Rover and had everyone loving their St Patrick’s weekend set. The band also writes their own songs that avid followers love and expect…more please guys! They played some of my favourite, and most haunting Irish ballads with Chris on Mandolin and Paul on the penny whistle the pub was filled with what can only be described as ‘Sheer Irish magic’.

Paul confessed to having a cold, and having lived with a singer for many years I know this affects one’s voice, but I have to say he sounded even more like Bob Dylan brilliant. Kevin on bass guitar sings in such a natural Irish way..don’t think he realises just how good he is..so laid back.

Chris the youngest of the three brothers has a lot of energy and passion for his music and is an engaging frontman when required. All four members really complement each other’s varying talents, dynamics in the band work well. They are obviously are having so much fun and always ensure that their audience do too.

Well done to Kevin for his rendition of Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire..really was party night and a great way to end St Patrick’s celebrations.

Luck of the Irish

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Happy Saint Patrick’s day to all my Irish friends and colleagues and connected family.

I hope those of you placing a bet today will be lucky…though we all know the bookies always win! Drat.

I am looking forward to a weekend of fab Irish music courtesy of ‘Missing the Ferry’ who are playing locally St Albans. I will be there Sunday night at The Farmer’s Boy.

Be kind

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When I tuned into This Morning earlier I was thrilled to see their guest counsellors and parents were there to promote their latest campaign; ‘be kind’ details of which can be found on their website. They are asking for  a video linked to be shared so please visit the website in support.

For more years than I care to remember I have been flying the flag of kindness and how it is a strength and not a weakness. Whilst I write about anti-bullying I am happy to promote ‘be kind’ to stop the first we need to remind children to be the second!

Today’s children as we know full victim to cyber-bullying 24/7 and it is down to everyone to encourage our own children not to be a bully and be aware of the consequence of their actions including words within all media, though my generation thought this was normal to parenting. I agree with the brave parent of a child who sadly paid the ultimate price of bullying (Lucy Alexander) it is ‘collective responsibility’.

So today’s awareness blog gives me another opportunity to provide a link for my own article on Innovate My School’s website which has amazing advice articles provided by professionals within the education and support sectors.

http://www.innovatemyschool.com/industry-expert-articles/item/1670-how-schools-can-tackle-cyberbullying.html

At a recent birthday party I spoke to a few Dads of five year olds and reminded them to encourage their children to talk about things which worry them, as too often children who are bullied do not tell anyone…and yes Dads that includes boys!!

A great generation

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Earlier today I was swapping stories and memories and discussed the great generation that lived through the second world war. I know my own mother told me many a tale of bravery beyond comprehension, she was made of sterner stuff than I for certain.

Seriously though, I know my amazing mother chose to sleep in her own bed during the blitz of London as opposed to being cramped in the air raid shelter with the rest of her family. This brave lady always believed when you numbers up it’s up and refused to be scared or give in whatever cards were dealt her in life.

I am sharing some of her wisdom in my latest project ‘A Mother’s Love’ -‘ My Mum said…Gospels According to Dorothy’ now available from Amazon Kindle store.

Not a day goes by where I don’t find something good to remember about this fabulous mentor.

Remember to appreciate your parents whilst they are here and tell them on a regular basis that you love them.

‘A Mother’s Love’

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Morning my lovely followers and fellow writers. Just an update my publication:

‘A Mother’s Love’ My Mum said…Gospels according to Dorothy’

Is now available from kindle at £3.99 whilst I sort out a paperback version for those not signed up to kindle, don’t forget if you don’t have a kindle you can download free of charge the kindle app to your laptop.

Happy reading and feedback is always welcome.

A great gift for Mother’s day.

‘A Mother’s Love’

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My publication ‘A Mother’s Love’ My Mum said…gospels according to Dorothy is now available from Amazon kindle £6.99 to download.

With Mother’s Day on the horizon, for those of us that no longer have their mothers around it is a time often to reflect and remember their love and hopefully the amazing relationship we had and the love they gave. I hope in reading this my story and hers will resonate with many.

Mine was a great mentor and knew all about NLP, CBT and mindfulness she was a natural master and I hope my followers, friends and family will enjoy reading some of ‘Dorothy’s Gospels’.

With my jacket illustration provided by my great nephew Paul Manning it is a family project made with love. Photograph is mum in her ATS uniform and the handwritten note across the photo was presented to me by my daughter when she was very young.

 

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Saying goodbye

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This week our family have said goodbye to a lovely man who I described as an epitome of a gentleman and he was. Meeting his family and his extended family ‘friends he had made’ I soon realised this man had touched many people along the way and had not just adopted our family but others too. 

His funeral had been sensitively planned with tasteful yet beautiful music and of course poetry, ending with ‘Gone fishin’ by Delmar Pepper and fitting for a man especially fishermen.

“Don’t worry, or feel sad for me,
I’m fishin’ with the Master of the sea…

To all of those that think of me,
Be happy as I go out to sea.
If others wonder why I’m missin’
Just tell ’em I’ve gone fishin’ “

To any of my followers this week who may have lost loved ones remember we keep them alive in our heart and by talking about them and remembering the good times. I am reminded by the famous ‘How do you live your dash’ poem which sets out quite clearly that it is not how we die but how we live that dash between our date of birth til we die. This is why we must celebrate their life and continue living our own…just as they would wish.

‘A Mother’s Love’

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I am thrilled today as the artwork for my book cover is finalised by the talented Graphics Designer Paul Manning.

‘A Mother’s Love’  ..Gospels according to Dorothy will be available from Amazon kindle in the coming days.

 

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Friends have been nagging me to write down my amazing mother’s tips and sayings for years. I hope my blog followers will enjoy reading my story and hers.

Compromise or reality?

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I have lost count over the past months where colleagues and friends have spoken about their life’s compromise and how do they re-address the balance?

We use such words too easily and often incorrectly we are often told how not to compromise ourselves too much but in reality life, or indeed certain elements, may indeed feel like we are compromised but life is about adjusting and acceptance too.

I would remind my followers today that the feeling of being compromised may be as a result of choices we have made either on our own or jointly. Often we make decisions based on information to hand at the time and/or to please others. Of course neither of these choices is completely wrong but in our aim to please we may feel we hand over too much control. Wanting to please others in itself is no bad thing but remember we are important too, so is our own happiness and moreover our peace of mind.

Just living day by day of course is always favourable and not allowing our fears to consume us is sound advice. However, at times even the best of us who on the surface are immune to stress feel vulnerable and not in control.

My message today is to relax, do things you enjoy to balance out the stress of life, be mindful and be kind to yourself and not hard on yourself.

To quote Billy Idol..the future’s so bright got to wear shades!