Linda Parkinson-Hardman's Blog, page 19

Life, the universe and medicine – part 1

Like everyone, I assume Ill live forever. Although I often wonder whether anyone would come to my funeral and who would wear black, it never actually occurrs to me that there is an endpoint. Its almost as if I would come along too to watch proceedings running smoothly and along the lines I wanted.

Death was something I thought about, but in a rather abstract, offhand sort of way. It happened, of course I knew I would die at some point, but that point was somewhere out there way off from...

Reaching for the stars – #FridayFiction

Tom woke as a sliver of moonlight sliced through the open bedroom door. He watched Nan slip through, pulling her dressing gown tightly around her.

Closing his eyes he remained alert to the sounds she made as she made her way downstairs carefully, quietly.

Smiling she probably thinks I havent heard her he thought.

He assumed she would draw some water for a drink or head to the bathroom and when neither of those sounds floated through the floorboards he was concerned.

What is she doing? he...

False gods and rainbows

The coronavirus pandemic that grips the world has caused a shift in many aspects of life that weve all just taken for granted. Ive had to give up trips to my local coffee shop to meet friends, I cant travel to Cheshire to see family and, as one of the lucky ones, Im tied to a computer screen five days every week in online meeting after online meeting.

That all sounds like a complaint, but its far from it. Maybe Im losing the plot a little because I dont really have anything to worry about,...

Hysteria 2020 April writing challenge with Eithne Cullen

April the first is not a joke in my household, instead it heralds the start of this years Hysteria Writing Competition. And this year our Writer in Residence is Eithne Cullen. Eithne has been given the challenge of coming up with a blog post each month that challenge you to get your thinking hats on and try something new out.

Sometimes ideas come crashing into our heads and sometimes its hard to think of things to write about. When Im stuck I turn to prompts. Each April NaPoRhiMoNet (...

All my eBooks are now FREE to download

The next few weeks and months will be challenging for many as we battle globally with coronavirus. I know that some of those challenges will be financial and I dont want anyone to lose out on vital information or even lighthearted reading just because they dont have the means to pay for it. Therefore, from today I have made all my eBooks free of charge. You can find all my books in the bookstore here: https://healthyhappywoman.co.uk/bookshop-and-more/

All but one book in my bookstore has a...

An interview with James Murdo, author of Siouca Remembers

This weeks Thursday Throng author interview is with James Murdo, author of Siouca Remembers. James was born and still lives in London. He graduated from university with a Masters degree in Physics, which added fuel to his early love of science fiction. Siouca is a member of the advanced Wanderer civilisation; they are coming, but what do they want?

What is one thing people wouldnt usually know about you?

I have an identical twin brother.

What did your best review say about your work?

I...

One small step – #fridayfiction

Sandy looked at the flight of steps with trepidation! It looked long and it looked hard but shed promised Jack she would make the effort.

With a sigh she lifted her right leg and pulled herself up, her left gammy leg landing beside it. What was it Neil Armstrong said when he walked on the moon? One small step..!

Just another 12 to go she thought and started on step two.

Ten minutes later and feeling slightly queasy from the effort she looked back over the bannister rail. Giving herself a...

Meet Leila Fuller, author of The Bag Lady

Meet Liela Fuller, author of The Bag Lady. Everyone has a story and this is the story of Bag Lady, a successful woman eager to enter into the next dimension of life holding onto the baggage she picked up along the way.

What is one thing people wouldnt usually know about you?

The one thing people usually dont know about me is that I love architecture and building design. I dont know when I fell in love with architecture, but I have such a wonderful love for the design of buildings that you...

Meet Abby Ross, author of The Poop Diaries

This week I’d like to introduce Abby Ross, the author of The Poop Diaries who, after an incident with her own toilet, asked her plumber to share his top 5 ‘greatest hits’ which were so hilarious that she began the journey towards writing the Poop Diaries .. What is one thing people wouldn’t usually know about you?

I can turn my belly button inside out. Other than that, I am a pretty open book.

What did your best review say about your work?

The best review so far was written by Anthony Avina –...

The hidden side of poverty

Poverty, alongside topics like coronavirus, Trump and climate change, is a pretty constant topic across the media these days. We endlessly debate the ethics of allowing children at home and abroad to go hungry or what society can do about homelessness or the highly visible need for food banks. But one area of poverty we rarely hear about and consequently regularly overlook is that of ‘period poverty’.

According to the UN, economic disparities mean that women globally have a higher chance of...