Jan Marsh

After the deaths of both our parents we, their five children, received some money, quite a significant amount from the sale of their house and their savings. They had not received any inheritance from their parents, there was very little left from our grandparents' lives, but our parents were

I've always said, a little blythely I admit, that I expect to live to 100. My mother said she would too and made it to 97. I can see that the genes are good and why not be optimistic? However, I also know that something could happen at

There's a joke that goes like this: The power in our relationship is shared fifty-fifty. I make all the small decisions – where we live and work, how we spend our money, where the children are educated; and my wife makes all the big decisions – whether to invade China,

It's never too late to have a happy childhood* My littlest grandson's word of the day is 'happy'. He's happy with his pancakes, his toys, his ability to climb the stairs and he says the word - you guessed it! - happily.

Strangely enough, I wrote about loss a few weeks ago – and then I lost the file! Truly, I fumbled the 'save' button and it vanished. Very apt. Although losses occur at every stage in life, they accumulate faster as we get older. A subtle and insidious one is

Eleanor Roosevelt wrote1, “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do

As I jogged down the street on my way to a gentle run round the waterfront, I passed a house where a team of scaffolders were dismantling their structure and loading it on a truck. They were loud and cheerful with music throbbing along with their banter. I asked if

Recharge, reset, revitalise! The pharmacy newsletter is enthusiastic about 2021, the perfect time to be the new you. It's all about the pills and potions of course. This stuff will whiten my teeth, this cream will make my skin look younger, especially if I use the big name

Role models - friends I've always had at least one or two friends older than myself. They have been mentors in my work, fellow Quakers, people who seem to be on my wavelength and who are good company. I've learned a lot from friends. The trouble

Roles models – Family Whether or not we're consciously seeking role models, the way things were done in our families inevitably becomes part of our perspective. Sometimes we intend to follow our parents or grandparents in specific ways, other times we firmly decide to do something different. Thinking about

A Good Age: An occasional blog The year before I retired I thought deeply about when and how this new state should come about. It used to be quite straightforward – your 60th birthday arrived, you packed up your desk and kind words were said, sending you off to your garden,

Back to Level Two Level Two in Nelson is not too harsh though I'm sorry for Auckland having to cope with greater restrictions. My book group and writing group have been cancelled in the meantime and the market which is such a feature of Nelson on a Saturday

LEVEL TWO After two weeks in Level Two we reach a new milestone – at midday, gatherings of up to 100 can be held. That means that Muslims can return to the mosque for Friday prayers today and other worship will take place over the weekend. Our Quaker Meeting is preparing

DAY FORTY-NINE A magic number – seven times seven, like the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter (which I'm not) and it's the last day of Level Three. Also the last day of this daily blog. I'll post my thoughts from time to time when

DAY FORTY-EIGHT Another grey day and another busy one, mostly social. I have a couple of catch up calls, with a friend and with my sister. Then even though neither of us needs any shopping, I go round to see my friend who I've visited each week. This

DAY FORTY-SEVEN A day with even one appointment is a busy day. Today I have two! My video-call music lesson goes well and I have some things to work on. I was hoping to return to in-person lessons but the teacher isn't ready for that, even if we

DAY FORTY-SIX Mothers' Day, 10th May. I'm awake early so I make a cup of tea and tackle the plain brown carton that's been on the table since the courier came on Wednesday. I snip away the tape and inside there's a beautiful

DAY FORTY-FIVE I've had some calls and messages checking that I'm ok – and I am, for sure, but thank you! The thing with blogging is treading a line between being honest and not worrying people. Also not being too much of an annoying Pollyanna! Today is

DAY FORTY-THREE Services are resuming. This afternoon I will have the lawn mowed and the piano tuned. But first, a morning of knitting and radio and, a little startling, my friend calls to say she has 'been swabbed'. Her sore throat had her worried and even though she&

DAY FORTY-FOUR After days of rain and cold weather, today is brilliantly sunny. Yesterday's headache has lingered. I'm tired and a bit under the weather, in spite of the weather. It's a feeling which becomes magnified in these times, even though I know there&