I am an avid reader and normally have at least three or four books on the go. My desire to read non-fiction continues! Here is a round-up of my January reads. You can see all my reviews on my Good Reads page. Non-fiction MY BOOK OF THE MONTH is Sixteen Days by Victoria Wilson-Crane .Continue reading “My January Reads (2022)”
Author Archives: hcpowell77
The danger of a wine o’clock culture
Boris Johnson has been called out for many things in the last few years but the one I feel compelled to comment on is the drinking culture he has either personally driven, or at the very least encouraged, at number ten. If you have read The Cactus Surgeon you will know that I used toContinue reading “The danger of a wine o’clock culture”
Recommendations for The Cactus Surgeon
I’ve been extremely grateful for the wonderful reviews readers have shared with me, and here are just some of my favourites: ***** A lovely book with some important messages about living well, a cracking read. I enjoyed this book a lot and read it in a very short time as it really pulled me in.Continue reading “Recommendations for The Cactus Surgeon”
Connections, Covid and Christmas lights
I travelled to Houston, Texas with my husband and daughter for Christmas, to stay with my husband’s auntie. We booked tickets before the Omicron variant emerged. In the week before we left, we were indecisive. Should we go? Sentences starting with ‘what if..’ endlessly ran through my mind and filled me with doubt. We veryContinue reading “Connections, Covid and Christmas lights”
A bad mental health day can sneak up on you
I have climbed the peaks and troughs of mental health over the years. I have had depression and beaten it. I pride myself on the proactive strategies I take to keep mentally well. Two weeks ago I felt happy, energised and well. So, imagine my surprise when on Sunday and Monday last week I feltContinue reading “A bad mental health day can sneak up on you”
How do you beat Autumn fatigue?
Autumn can be a difficult time of year if you are living in the Northern hemisphere. The nights draw in, temperatures drop and some days it feels like maybe the sun has disappeared forever. I recently asked the members of my Cactus Surgeon Group how they combat seasonal affective disorder, and general low mood, inContinue reading “How do you beat Autumn fatigue?”
You can play your part
Reading about climate change can be really depressing. It’s hard to feel like any of us can do anything meaningful. I thought I’d share a few things I’ve been able to do (even as a busy mum, company director and someone who always has too much going on!). I’ve changed my shopping habits. I shopContinue reading “You can play your part”
Hanging out with the olive elders
I’ve just spent a glorious week in Puglia, Italy for my Dad’s 70th birthday. Like so many things this holiday has been delayed by Covid and at one point I began to wonder whether all the extra travel admin was really worth it. It turns out it was, although I probably wouldn’t travel abroad forContinue reading “Hanging out with the olive elders”
How to deal with FND (or unexplained medical symptoms)
In 2009 I was diagnosed with functional neurological disorder (FND). The symptoms, including severe and uncontrolled twitching and spasms, came from the body not functioning because of faulty brain signals. There were no structural changes to be seen on a scan. I had a diagnosis, but whilst I now had a name for it, theContinue reading “How to deal with FND (or unexplained medical symptoms)”
Bigging up bulbs
I don’t believe in leaving things to chance. Luck doesn’t find me, I go out and find opportunities. And, in the same way, I engineer small wonders of nature in my garden. By small wonders, I mean anything nature does which makes me smile. It’s normally something that tickles the senses. Colour, scent, texture –Continue reading “Bigging up bulbs”