menopause

Scraps

There was something uniquely depressing about that moment in May, when I pulled the little pile of paper scraps out of the mail bag. It was Mum’s 70th birthday. For about a year now, her resolutely advancing Parkinson’s has grown grimly evident, in every aspect of her physical and mental existence. Simple movements, eating, drinking, evenContinue reading “Scraps”

Agency and inevitability

Let me get this straight: I am not one of those ‘filial duty’ types. I do believe that every human being should live with respect, kindness and dignity. I do believe in being an agent and a catalyst for these; but not for the sake of guilt, conscience, pride, reputation or reward. I don’t believeContinue reading “Agency and inevitability”

An apology to my husband

Thank goodness for synthetics. I am of course a big fan of the natural world, but some man-made things deserve a special mention nonetheless; such as chocolate, chewing gum, dentistry (probably in that order), fleecy blankets and flip flops (again in that order), synthetic hormones, digital technology, and PU leather. I have synthetic hormones toContinue reading “An apology to my husband”

The Division Bell

A division bell, helpfully defined by Collins English Dictionary, is “a bell rung in a parliament to signal a division.” Hmmm. Nope, that still doesn’t help me understand the reason for the Pink Floyd album title. Thank goodness for the band’s David Gilmour who, in a 1994 radio interview*, explained, “… it is a bell thatContinue reading “The Division Bell”

D-Day

I don’t know what I was expecting from today, my D-Day, the day of my first Decapeptyl injection. I was just nervous. Not so much about the needle going in; more about how I would feel afterwards. At precisely 0857, I arrived at my local GP surgery, complete with loose clothing and an upbeat mannerContinue reading “D-Day”

Menopause is

Having to concentrate really hard in the mornings so that you don’t pour boiling water on your breakfast cereal. Stumbling around the house looking for a lost phone before realising that the cat is standing on your keyboard. Saying “What?” when there is a gap in the conversation that you forgot you were part of.Continue reading “Menopause is”