During March 2014, I will be speaking at two Birmingham venues on Fifty Shades of Gold – a reflection on midlife using poetry, Jungian literature and the art of Birmingham artist Jake Lever. Continue reading “Fifty Shades of Gold – the road show”
Holy Sh*t: I understand swearing – at last
It was when my son was aged three that it started. “Bugger, bugger, bugger,” he would say when he was at nursery, at church and out and about on the bus. “I can’t think where he learnt it from,” I remember saying with exaggerated puzzlement when I regaled a friend with this tale. “It must be from his father.” Continue reading “Holy Sh*t: I understand swearing – at last”
Library of Birmingham: The day I went inside
Two months before the Library of Birmingham opens its doors to the public, I had the honour of sneaking inside for a preview of this brilliant £188.8 million building that stands bold in its bling on Broad Street. Continue reading “Library of Birmingham: The day I went inside”
Library of Birmingham: Outside in
Anyone who has been down Broad Street recently can not fail to have noticed the Library of Birmingham standing tall between the Birmingham Rep and Baskerville House in its bling.
Some hate it. I love it. Already, it is bringing a presence that is transforming Centenary Square. Continue reading “Library of Birmingham: Outside in”
Library of Birmingham: A place for a snog
Here’s a cute little addition to the facilities at the Library of Birmingham – a place for a snog.
Whoops! Sorry, to have said the first thing that came into my head when I saw these cosy little red booths. Of course, it’s not a place for a snog. (Slap hand) Continue reading “Library of Birmingham: A place for a snog”
Library of Birmingham: Opening what was closed
When the £188.8 million Library of Birmingham opens to the public, it will be more than the doors that are swung wide. The library will be open in ways it has never been before. Continue reading “Library of Birmingham: Opening what was closed”
Library of Birmingham: The people’s playground
Look at this picture. Does it look like a library to you? No, nor me. If you’d asked, I’d have said it was a garden. Continue reading “Library of Birmingham: The people’s playground”
Suspend your rational faculties
A word of advice on reading Jay Griffiths’ Kith, The Riddle of the Childscape – suspend your rational faculties. Surrender to the lyricism. Let nostalgia woo you. Be carried on the wings of your imagination. Allow yourself to spiral into your childhood (either the one you really had or the one about which you fantasise) and go with Griffiths into a secret garden of faerie, forests, daemon and metaphor. Roam free. Continue reading “Suspend your rational faculties”
Talking on sexuality at Exeter Cathedral
This weekend – Sunday, 9 June 2013 – I will be talking about sexuality at Holy Ground at Exeter Cathedral.
In preparing my talk, I’ve noticed that I have felt in a very quiet place around sexuality issues in recent years and found it almost unbearable listening to debates about the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill currently going through Parliament. Continue reading “Talking on sexuality at Exeter Cathedral”
For Mother’s Day: the untold story
So far, I have spent almost seven years trying to come to terms with my experience of giving birth. I was beginning to wonder if I ever would, and then I read this, by psychologist Daniel Stern (pictured), who assured me that I wouldn’t. Continue reading “For Mother’s Day: the untold story”