TAKING CHARGE: POKER, SKIING, LIFE

I went to play poker one Saturday a couple of weeks ago. I went because I was lonely and bored in my rental house and could not bear to be there another minute. The trains weren’t running properly so I drove. The traffic was awful and by the time I arrived I had added stress… Read More »

CRUISIN FOR A BRUISIN

I’ve been “Cruisin for a Bruisin!” For the first time in what feels like an age, I’ve been, to use the dictionary definition of that phrase: “following a course of action likely to result in injury or other trouble for oneself.” I followed all the familiar, or at least remembered, routines: contacted a Mistress, set… Read More »

THE WOMAN ON THE TRAIN

I sat next to a woman travelling alone on the train. I wouldn’t normally do that but I was tired and it was pretty much the only seat. I asked if she minded and she moved her bag out of my way with a smile, so I sat down.

POWDER

I wrote this after a pre-Covid (just) ski trip with my oldest lad, a friend of his and my longstanding skiing buddy. I’m posting it now partly because I’m looking at going again in the New Year and partly so the top post on my blog is not about a funeral. 

THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT

(Content warning: loss, grief) Perhaps I worry too much about my kids. A few years ago, I wrote a post about my experience of boarding school and the effect it had on my later life and on those close to me. I regard it as one of the most important posts in my blog.

COOKING FOR A DATE (For Wicked Wednesday)

Choosing the dish is absolutely the key. Simple, but elegant; wholesome, yet not too heavy; flavoursome, but not excessively spicy. I’m not looking for a Michelin star here, all artistic little dabs of 3 different sauces adorning a single mushroom. I want  a dish that delivers its simple message with clarity and confidence, something where… Read More »

A GOOD END (includes content warning)

Content warning: Old age, Alzheimer’s disease, assisted dying. This post touches on delicate subjects that some may prefer not to read about. Please feel free to walk away if it might upset you. The post is me working difficult things through in my own mind, and I’m choosing to share it because I know others… Read More »

CHECKING IN (KOTW)

Checking into a hotel room is not just one set of feelings for me; it’s many different feelings, depending on the circumstances. I’m going to explore those feelings here for Kink Of The Week.

WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN (sinful sunday)

I prefer not to play poker in the casino just now; it’s a dauntingly crowded environment while Covid infections are so high. Instead, I play in a London flat rented by two well-known local players, one of whom is a longstanding poker friend. Last time I played, I stayed in the flat the night before… Read More »

CURTAINS (sinful sunday)

When I opened up my blog to post this Sinful Sunday I had to brush cobwebs away from the keyhole and I’m sure there was a creek of rusty hinges as the doors swung back.