My thoughts about books, writing, life and so many other things….Judy Leigh/ Elena Collins.
I have a friend who asks leading questions to friends and family instead of watching hours of TV, to encourage discussion and share opinions. It’s not groundbreaking stuff, but it’s a great idea to get people to share their thoughts and maybe take in others’ viewpoints and ideas. I love it. So she asked her …
Continue reading Who was the woman who influenced you the most?
I began to ponder this question after a friend commented that another friend had a really good marriage. Being naturally inquisitive, I wondered what that meant. What constitutes a good relationship? We’ve come a long way since ‘honour and obey,’ I hope. Surely a partnership has to be equal, reciprocal and symbiotic? But what does …
I was sad to read about the death of Bonnie Tyler a while back. I’m not a great Bonnie fan, but she was really good at what she did. And for the rest of the day after I heard the news, I had her song Holding out for a Hero running through my head. Over …
The other day I went to see Cloudbusting, a Kate Bush tribute band. They were really good – the singer and the musicians were well worth a listen. I’m not a Kate Bush fan particularly, although there’s a lot about her work to admire. The songs have a kind of purity, an intelligence and a …
The other day, when I was out walking and thinking first thing in the morning, as I almost always do when the weather’s good, I was pondering on the usual random stuff. As I’ve finished a novel and I haven’t quite started to allow myself to think about the next one – I like to …
This year has been an awesome one in so many ways. Of course, there were the intensely sad bits. People I love have been ill - thankfully on the road to recovery. Two lovely people have gone: there were heart-breaking funerals, then coping with grief. They were the inevitable moments when things get tough. G …
Continue reading Can We Hang On To That Warm And Fuzzy Festive Spirit in 2026?
Wishing you all the most wonderful Christmas, Hanukkah, Solstice - or whatever you celebrate - with the hope that at this time next year you'll be happy, healthy and surrounded by so much love. Thank you for supporting my blog and my books. You have a special place in my heart. Judy x
A young man I know in his thirties was talking to me recently about the huge responsibility of having children. He believed that in these times of political upheaval and change, it was unwise to bring another being into the world. He certainly couldn’t justify doing it. I had a great deal of sympathy and …
Continue reading Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em. And We Wouldn’t Change A Thing…
When we were kids, we’d have a very clear idea of what we wanted for Christmas. In some way or other, it was based on something we thought would make our young lives better: a toy, a book. Something we could own, keep, enjoy. My mother told me she’d always get an orange or an …
It’s November now and hopefully everyone’s starting to settle into the cold months and feel the benefits of the nicer things that come with it; baked potatoes and hot drinks and fireside evenings. Am I the only person who’s had a tough October? I don’t think so. Lots of people find the decrease in sunlight …
That quintessence of dust 