It’s official! The arthritis in my hands – or morespecifically the fingers of my right hand – has been X-rayed and diagnosed, andI’ve seen a physiotherapist. I’ll skip the details, but I am now armed withtips from the brilliant Sally on how to cope, new gadgets to help me open tinsetc. and the joyful knowledge that I can have as many tea breaks as I like whengardening! 

Gardening – or more specifically, using secateurs and weeding, aswell as typing and playing the piano are three of the most painful activities in my daily life. I haven’tincluding housework, because my wonderful husband is now taking over some ofthese tasks. And being me, I still get out the hoover and battle with cleaningthe bath despite the pain! You can’t change the habits of a lifetime, althoughyou can try to adapt.

For the typing, I’m back to using my ‘clicky’ keyboard,which for some reason is the most comfortable to use as well as making me feelI’m progressing. (The photo shows it with all its lights on, but the novelty of that has worn off!)

After about five minutes I find a rhythm, and thereally painful joints have decided to comply. They’ve had to, as I’ve beenmaking great progress with the third book in the last few months, and it’s nearly finished. Perhaps Ikeep repeating this final phrase, but it’s important to get the ending rightand I’ve had to re-write some of it.

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For many of us this has been a difficult year for all kinds of reasons. Here in the garden the seasons have been a bit haywireand the temperature has gone up and down like a yo-yo! The Dahlias have allexcept one been very late to flower, but they are always a joy. Another joy hasbeen the deep blue of my hydrangea ‘cuttings’ which have matured into fineplants.

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READING: I have two recommendations for you. The first is 'Munich Wolf' by Rory Clements. This is set in Bavaria in the 1930s, an unusual thriller about a policeman who is also a member of the Nazi party. I was both fascinated and horrified, hugely informed about the place and the period, and completely engrossed. 

The second recommendation is 'The Dentist' by Tim Sullivan. This is part of a series, but can be read onits own.  A gripping crime thriller, itfeatures DS George Cross of Somerset and Avon Police, a fascinating andbeautifully portrayed protagonist who proves to be a challenge to the policehierarchy because he is on the spectrum. He is a loner, he is close only to hisfather, Raymond, and his social skills leave a lot to be desired. The author handlesthe difficulty of portraying such a character with ease. I thoroughly enjoyedit and highly recommend it.

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FINALLY, after years of thinking about it, I’ve extended mywriting to something a little more gritty and made a first post on the platform‘Substack’. You may or may not like or agree with what I say, but here’s thelink if you want to read it. Let me know what you think, if you do!

I hope the rest of the summer is kind to us and that we will find time to relax and enjoy some spare moments in gardens, parks, or peaceful places where we can wind down. Look after yourselves!