Blog

  • They Wanted Calm. They Got Me.

    They Wanted Calm. They Got Me.

    Fred tells his side of the story….. I wasn’t quite what my humans had in mind when they decided to adopt another dog. They had a plan: small-to-medium, calm, easy-going, the kind of dog who doesn’t act like he’s just downed three espressos. Back then, I was called Joki, scruffy, and (apparently) very adoptable. A… Read more

  • Island Life (With Uninvited Guests)

    Island Life (With Uninvited Guests)

    “Island Life (With Uninvited Guests)” Living in Tenerife comes with plenty of perks—endless sunshine and mild temperatures. Nights rarely dip below 18°C, and days hover comfortably around 24°C. Ideal for humans… and, rather inconveniently, absolutely perfect for cockroaches. I’ve long accepted the occasional uninvited guest. One rogue cockroach now and then? Fine. We coexist. I… Read more

  • The Art of Not Falling Over 

    The Art of Not Falling Over 

    I was recently chatting with a friend about standing on one leg  (as you do) as part of my tai chi practice, and how this seemingly simple exercise is apparently great for overall well-being. If you’ve never tried this, let me reassure you: it is both deeply meditative and mildly ridiculous. You begin with noble… Read more

  • Spreading a Little Happiness

    Spreading a Little Happiness

    I’ve fallen happily into the world of watercolour and started a new series featuring Fred (inspired by my dog), along with a frog and a rat. These illustrations are early experiments for a possible book. Right now, I’m discovering who these characters are and how they want to look — their expressions, their quirks, their… Read more

  • When Pain Doesn’t Go Away

    When Pain Doesn’t Go Away

    I’m writing this post about chronic pain not for sympathy it’s to help the people who know me — and anyone who wants to understand — see what living with chronic pain is really like. Chronic pain is hard to imagine unless you live with it. From the outside, it can look like nothing at… Read more

  • NOT eating cake..!

    NOT eating cake..!

    For health reasons, I’ve had to give up eating sugary and fatty stuff. So, what has NOT eating cake, ice cream and no alcohol done to me (besides, of course, stripping any joy out of my life I’ve become suspiciously skinny… in exactly one place. My stomach has shrunken, but my thighs and backside are… Read more