age

Things I learned today – crispy veg and feminist icons

October 1, 2020 By Ellen

Another instructive day… I learned that the Aga doesn’t let out the smell. So last night’s roasted veggies (I’ll just give them a few more minutes) were somewhat overdone by breakfast time. Speaking of Agas, have you seen the new version of All Creatures Great and Small? Boy Three and I have been enjoying […]

On getting dressed in the dark, sexual confusion and hair washing – things I’ve learned lately

February 5, 2019 By Ellen

It’s a huge relief, I must say, to have let myself off the hook and returned to little trivial blog posts like this – but with a structure. You should try it. I could include that as a learning, couldn’t I? Make some rules for yourself, then keep them. But, actually, that’s not really healthy, […]

Tick tock – have we got time for another ride at the fairground

July 18, 2018 By Ellen

Written three years ago and – whoosh – that time has gone in a flash. How many years did you spend watching the clock? Tick tock. Waiting for school to finish… today, this week, forever. When I’m older I can… drive, stay out all night, eat as much chocolate as I like, all at once, […]

Middle age in evidence again this week

January 30, 2018 By Ellen

There was a moment of anxiety last week when someone started talking about Wattpad – an online community for readers and writing. A hot new young adult writer was discovered there, there being somewhere I didn’t even know existed. A bit like finding out all the best holidays happened in Spanbados or Costaland or somewhere. […]

What would you say to your 18-year-old self?

September 8, 2016 By Ellen

Posh Spice started it with her recent advice to her younger self. Then the Daily Record asked a few writers, including me, if they wanted to share their wisdom. Here’s what I wrote: Dear Ellen YOU’RE 18 and you’ve almost finished your first year at university. While you think you’re invincible and that you […]