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Mindful Practices

I have begun to get back into a routine. Re-establishing my normal mindful practices has taken a while, and I am not sure that they are settled yet. Prior to hospital I had a morning 20 minute practice of yoga and meditation. This evaporated…
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Down to earth

I have landed. Four weeks ago today I had my throat reconstruction surgery in London. I feel that I have now come back down to earth, landed solidly back in my world. As I type this I am sat in my lounge, thoughts have turned towards photography…

Swansea Open Exhibition

I submitted my two Brexit photos for Swansea's Open Exhibition recently. Unusually, they required printed and framed art, ready to hang on the wall, rather than a digital entry. This actually fitted in quite well for me. For although I was in…
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Your thoughts about well-being

A couple of days ago I asked you, 'What contributes to your well-being?' I have had a great response. Many thanks to Sue, Nicky, Kath, Toby, Inge, Kate, Janet, Priscilla, Noelle, Maz and Caryn. I have collated their responses below. It makes…
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Staying Grounded

The practice of living mindfully is obviously challenging when life is difficult. During these phases when life is not as we would like it be, we can become overwhelmed and imagine that life will always be this way. We may not be able to see…

What contributes to your well-being?

As you know I have just started thinking about my next photo book: Photography for Well-Being. I have some ideas for its structure, format and purpose, and I also have created the outlines of 20+ photography activities designed to enhance your…
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Birthday Gratefulness

I have a practice that has lapsed during the hospital days. Every night I share 5 things I am grateful for with my sister, Kim in Canada. I haven't done this regularly over the last 3 weeks, but starting here I am beginning all my supportive…
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Long stay hospital reflections

After landing in 'God's own country' (thanks for the line Si), reacquainting myself with fine wine and food, reconnecting and sleeping for 10 hours, I feel that this is the day to reflect back upon what a long, challenging hospital stay is like.…

The first day of the rest of my life

I am ready. The new chapter starts here. Release from 18 days in hospital with a reconstructed throat. I am ready. For life. For new adventures. And there sure is gonna be a lot of all that. First though, departure. Final meds given out,…
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Tales from a hospital bed 13

The training wheels are off. An almost completely normal nights sleep, only a dressing change over my neck hole required at 4.40am. Otherwise a full night's sleep. What a novelty. In fact when I was woken up for my breakfast order I thought…
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Tales from a hospital bed 12

The Probation Edition. When I awoke this morning at 6 I just laid there for a while coming to. After a while I noticed a warm glow coming from beneath the blind. I slid out of bed, raised the blind and revealed the day. It felt like a positive…
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Tales from a hospital bed 11

A low key edition. To reflect my mood. I am dog tired and, of course, that affects mood. Sleep has been episodic for a while now and the cumulative effect of several nights with little deep sleep is insidious. I am usually a good sleeper. 8…
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Tales from a hospital bed 10

Morning all. Last day of being a patient patient before the second stage tomorrow. Meanwhile, some better sleep last night, although the bar has been set pretty low recently. I feel more balanced today, keen for the next stage to come and go…
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Tales from a hospital bed 9

Sleep. It's an essential element of our wellbeing. When it is disrupted or inadequate we do not function as well - physically, emotionally and psychologically. Sleeping in hospital can be a challenge. Here's a sleepy tale shaped by recent nocturnal…
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Tales from a hospital bed 8

I am very tired. Two nights of poor sleep have left me a little low in most ways and I am watching my moaning mind escalate and embroider. It's not as pretty as the end of that sentence sounds. I won't throw any of those whinges your way,…

Tales from a hospital bed 7

Thanks to those of you who contributed photo themes to keep me creatively occupied and in mischief. I've had staff faces, tension, equipment as art, textures, hospital hustle and bustle, and probably my favourite - slippers! More on that lower…

Tales from a hospital bed 6

I sense that the slowing of change and the adjustment to my new scenario may influence the content of these blog posts. It's a challenge in the relentless routine and unchanging sensations to find interesting creative output. But then that's…

Tales from a hospital bed 5

This second week of recovery is a slow moving beast. How I can remain sane, positive and support my well-being is at its heart. Today, I thought I would ramble on about how art is helping, not that I am not engrossed in reading, Netflix and…

Tales from a hospital bed 4

There has been much occurring in my hospital bed. And even though it has involved drugs, vomiting, and shooting it has been a little less edgy than Trainspotting. A couple of days ago I was attached to the feed line and still had two canulas…

Tales from a hospital bed 3

There is a risk that these medical missives could turn into a moan fest. During the middle of last night's drug dispensing (not as dangerous or exciting in hospital as on the mean streets) I composed today's tale in my head and it was a catalogue…

Tales from a hospital bed 2

I'm feeling a bit rubbish today. For the first hour or so I was nauseous, dazed, dizzy and tired. Anti- sickness meds were consumed immediately - I can have pretty much anti-everything drugs it appears. Though the unnatural balance achieved…