under another sun

Over the years I have become good at managing anxiety, but I was ambushed just as I woke up this morning. After a minute or so I successfully shook it off, but it was a poor start to the day. But it meant things could only get better. I took my news in small pinches and chatted with Anton, and First Matie, and Facetimed Mum and messaged Toby. Like me, First Matie (who hasn't been well) will be joining Craig's funeral remotely tomorrow. Got a text from Ian, Kate's friend. Nice note, and he mentioned he was reading my book too. More encouragement: an old friend Nicki posted a photo on facebook of her two boys, one of whom, Stan, was reading Magnificent Grace for the second time. With my freelance work evaporated after the double blows of Brexit and Coronavirus, life has become very simple all of a sudden.  Take care of people I love, write the sequel to MG, and try to do something positive for the world. Routine is my friend, and once I get going at my desk I feel okay. W...

Greatly cheered by an old pal Nicki (aka Ricky Nose) getting in touch today, saying her son Lenny can't put Magnificent Grace down, and that he wants me to sign his copy. This kind of feedback from a real reader is a real boost.

Pressing on, rewriting brochures, tweaking a script, talking to Dave about scamps etc. Marginally more optimistic, with no crisis and able to glimpse the end of the week. As Lorraine was at a headteacher's conference & Beth was out I scored myself some fish and chips, then went for a walk down to the sea and along the seafront under the iSore and along a bit. Good to breath some air after having been manacled to my desk for the last few days. Dark and blowy, but not very cold. Listening to the mildly-diverting debaucheries of Keith Richards as I walked. Will go with Mum to Diane's funeral in a fortnight, I'd like to pay my respects and good to be with Mum there too. Facebooked by Nicki Rose, or Ricki Nose as Reuben, First Matie and I called her quite often, who'd found a farewell poem I'd written her a frightening 21 years ago. It was based on Lake Isle of Innisfree by Yeats for some reason. Nicki was leaving IBM to work for Walt Disney: "You will arise...