Ichabod's Day

  Whilst sitting alone, working from home it is not easy to just reach out to someone to say "do you remember when..." or "did I ever tell you...." and I am finding that I am needing to do that more and more as the transition process into retirement picks up a pace. So, dear readers of my blog - you are my sounding board and my validation. Thank you, I hope the next few posts are not too self-indulgent. As a 6th former (very Mallory Towers!) 1979/80 we were encouraged to take some work experience and for reasons I can't remember I chose to go to an occupational therapist working in Social Services - a Mrs Brown (yes...the first name culture hadn't reached a rural market town in Lincolnshire by then). I must have enjoyed it - the only memory I have is turning up with equipment to someone's home to be told that the patient had passed away - I think from that I understood empathy, the importance of good communication and the value of timely intervention - a...

  Those of you that know me will know that I am about to enter retirement in  few week's time. After 40 years within the profession of Occupational Therapy (including 3 years as a student) - 20 years of which have been spent in education - I decided it was time to regain balance and find those parts of me neglected by an all consuming career.  I have decided to write a few posts sharing my transition into retirement in the hope that it may help others make the same transition I may also at some point share some of the many interesting, exciting and strange things that happened in such a long and varied career - need to do some careful editing beforehand to protect the innocent/or not so innocent!       Eagers et al (2018) give a number of stages to the transition from work to retirement-which I seem to be following (always one to follow a rule!) :   Making the decision:    I start with a little "academic speak" as it is this that got me think...

    At the age of 14 years, our beloved Bruno Bear left us to go over the Rainbow Bridge. His heart became too big for this world, a heart stuffed full of love for all things, which finally gave out on 4 th August 2020.   Here is his story……..   After we lost our sweetpea, Pepe, on Valentine’s Day 2008, the dog shaped hole was much too hard to bear and we wanted to share her legacy with another rescue dog. We visited Leigh Dog’s home and whilst all around us dogs were barking and clamouring for attention, this one dog, very striking in appearance, was sitting quietly, gazing out of his cage. As we spoke with him he picked up his bowl and went into the back area of the cage and lay down. They knew very little about him other than he was a stray from Salford, was about 2 years old and had been at the shelter for just over 4 months. We took him out of the cage for a walk around and it was very clear that he was well liked and was used to receiving treats from the volun...

Beyond the seas Beneath the trees Beside the whispering well. There lives a maid An old, old maid Of whom my tale will tell. In times gone by, In great supply, Her life was strong and clear. Her wisdom shared, As others cared, She lived a life sincere . Then day by day  The curse, they say, Insidious appeared. So bit by bit, As favour quit, From view she disappeared. Now all alone She sits unknown  A trace of times gone by. To be again She waits in vain  And heaves a final sigh . This tale I tell, Please heed me well, And listen as you will. The sad maid thence Is common sense, She’s waiting for you still .

Grief is a normal emotion in response to loss. It doesnot just arrive with the passing of a loved one, it comes in many guises and forms and can be a response to  tangible and intangible life events such as  transitions, loss of role, relationship breakdown, moving home/job etc. Our reaction to grief can be influenced by many factors, in particular socio-cultural expectations with common phrases attached such as "be strong", "time heals", "keep busy" or even "it wasn't meant to be". These comments, whilst said by well intentioned friends and family, try to convince us that grief is a matter of the head rather than the heart and therefore rational thinking can overcome it. The fact that this is not possible can only add to feelings of inadequacy and impotence when going through the grief process. Ok, so I stated "grief process" however there is no one template fits all, every experience is unique to the individual experiencing...

Channeling my best Claire Fraser (see previous post and Outlander) I continued to tend my herbs through the summer of the first year and experimented with drying techniques. I couldn't get on with the dehydrator and managed to ruin a few stored herbs through mildew. Went back to the age old hanging and  air dry - although slow it was more thorough. Lesson 3: the racks of the dehydrator are great as air drying racks for smaller herbs and flowers (and doesn't use electricity). The fridge was starting to fill with small jars and metal tins of "stuff" (lip balm, salves and tinctures mostly)  so I started to get the word out there about my potions (you can still see a list of what is available here) I mainly used my facebook personal page and my Skip's Legacy page and I'm thankful to say that a  few friends made some orders which felt great. Setting up paypal etc was surprisngly easier than expected and over the next few months a decent amount went to a...

Last year I decided to bite the bullet and take up something I have always wanted to do but never quite got around to. I decided I was going to become my very own version on a Hedgewitch. I say "my version" as https://wiccanspells.info/wiccan-pagan-articles/hedge-witch/  states that there is no one consensus as to the definition. I am not: - able to see into the future (much!) - particularly in touch with the natural order of nature - but like most I can spot the seasons changing ;-) - able to read cloud formations - worshipping any kind of deity I am: - developing a broad knowledge of plants and herbs - interested in the healing properties of plants and herbs -a lover of folklore - a creative thinker (even if my skills don't always enable me to follow through with ideas) I suppose I align myself more with the old crone of the village in times gone by. A wise woman maybe a more flattering picture (whatever cap fits!). So, inspired in no small way  by Cla...