The Sandwich Generation

From CareStation

They call us the sandwich generation. We are the ones who care simultaneously for elderly relatives and young children. It feels like a personal struggle sometimes. It comes from a number of sociological phenomena.

London Excursion

James McNeill Whistler:
Nocturne: The Thames at Battersea

As Piglet is of that age when she can appreciate such things, we took her up to London for a few days, and I thought I would note here some helpful tips for others intending to head up to the big smoke.

Depression is the pits

From Micah Sparacio's blogpost
10 Ways to Fight Depression

When I say I was in therapy for ten years, people often exclaim in surprise: "You're the last person I would have thought needed therapy." I say, "Yeah! that's cuz I've done it!" 

Part-time work (full time play!)

This image from a graduate jobs 
website, illustrates their part-time 
page. The page is aimed at
students looking to supplement their
grant rather than people who
might choose to work part-time. 

I was interested to see this article by Zoe Williams on part-time work in The Guardian yesterday, as I've long thought part-time work could be the answer to many problems. I'm always surprised that organisations like The Work Foundation seem to have so little to say about part-time working. 

June in Bloom Excursion (Taff Trail)

Wild rose by the station carpark

(The Taff Trail is a wide tarmac path on this stretch, although barriers to stop bicycles freewheeling all the way down to Cardiff mean it's not always easily wheelchair or pushchair accessible. It's suitable for all ages of children.)

A good walk with a superb pub in striking distance, this excursion is an excellent stretching of the legs. On the way up, there is a slight incline to make your muscles work harder. To meander more gently downhill as you come back down is proper. 

Kitchen sink drama

Pisarro's 'In the Garden at Pontoise:
A young woman washing dishes'. From Art for Art's Sake.

OMG! I finally cleaned the sink! No, I don't mean I wiped quickly round the surface of it, I mean I properly cleaned it. 

Pestilential Piglet

From Deposit Photos

Of the two, I prefer worms to headlice.