Michael Harling's Blog, page 26
November 21, 2015
Doctor Google, the NHS and Me
This is a cautionary tale wrapped in a cautionary tale. It's a tad convoluted, so hang on.
I have stupid eyebrows. If the hair on my head was like my eyebrows, I would have a shock of thick, lush hair just above my forehead and none anywhere else. I have no idea when or why this happened; it seemed to sneak up on me. One day my eyebrows were fine, the next time I took notice, they were stupid.
Some time ago, I mentioned this in a blog post. As part of the research for that post, I put “Stu...
I have stupid eyebrows. If the hair on my head was like my eyebrows, I would have a shock of thick, lush hair just above my forehead and none anywhere else. I have no idea when or why this happened; it seemed to sneak up on me. One day my eyebrows were fine, the next time I took notice, they were stupid.
Some time ago, I mentioned this in a blog post. As part of the research for that post, I put “Stu...
November 19, 2015
Dances With Ghillies
Following on from the previous post, wherein I was ejected from The Cult and began finding myself…
And so, I became an Irish dancer. I didn’t mean to. It happened in the same sort of way that I became a folk singer, and as a direct result of it.
Sometime in my mid to late twenties, I happened to walk into a bar where a guy was standing on stage strumming a guitar and singing rowdy songs. The crowd was loving it. I ordered a beer, watched appreciatively for a while, then thought, “I could do tha...
And so, I became an Irish dancer. I didn’t mean to. It happened in the same sort of way that I became a folk singer, and as a direct result of it.
Sometime in my mid to late twenties, I happened to walk into a bar where a guy was standing on stage strumming a guitar and singing rowdy songs. The crowd was loving it. I ordered a beer, watched appreciatively for a while, then thought, “I could do tha...
November 9, 2015
Life Among the Zealots
I mentioned in my previous post that I had been a member of a cult, and someone said they would like to hear more about it. So, at least one person might enjoy this; sorry about the rest of you.
From the age of 16 to 22, I was a member of a cult. By all definitions, it was a fairly pedestrian cult. We didn’t retreat to the hills with our Bibles and guns, we didn’t erect altars to the Sacred Rutabaga, and we didn’t even go on pilgrimages to see the Holy Cow in farmer Jones’ field, the one with...
From the age of 16 to 22, I was a member of a cult. By all definitions, it was a fairly pedestrian cult. We didn’t retreat to the hills with our Bibles and guns, we didn’t erect altars to the Sacred Rutabaga, and we didn’t even go on pilgrimages to see the Holy Cow in farmer Jones’ field, the one with...
November 4, 2015
I Would Like to Thank the Academy…
I recently received an award. Not because I’ve suddenly and inexplicably done something noteworthy, but because I have hung around for so long. It’s for blogging longevity; basically an award for people with too much time on their hands.
One of my early blog logosMy friend* Toni at ExpatMum nominated me. She’s been blogging since 2008 and in her post she expresses a fond nostalgia for these sorts of awards, which were popular when she began blogging. For me, they were a new and perplexing inno...
One of my early blog logosMy friend* Toni at ExpatMum nominated me. She’s been blogging since 2008 and in her post she expresses a fond nostalgia for these sorts of awards, which were popular when she began blogging. For me, they were a new and perplexing inno...
October 8, 2015
Going with the Flo
We were on holiday a while back; south Wales this time. Pembrokeshire, where we stayed in a tiny little village called St. Florence at a holiday cottage I can only describe as “Pretty Darn Pink.”
The cottage, though pink, was comfortable, containing all you might expect from a holiday cottage and more: an old-fashioned claw-foot tub in the bathroom with a skylight directly overhead, an ample outdoor seating area, a second bathroom with a shower, an outer kitchen with a Belfast sink…and knick-k...
The cottage, though pink, was comfortable, containing all you might expect from a holiday cottage and more: an old-fashioned claw-foot tub in the bathroom with a skylight directly overhead, an ample outdoor seating area, a second bathroom with a shower, an outer kitchen with a Belfast sink…and knick-k...
August 31, 2015
Is There Room For One More?
We interrupt our usual offerings to announce the birth of my first granddaughter:
Reagan Tierney, a backup to my two grandboys, arrived at 8:30 AM on the 28th of August.
Hopefully, we'll show her a good time.
Reagan Tierney, a backup to my two grandboys, arrived at 8:30 AM on the 28th of August.
Hopefully, we'll show her a good time.
August 22, 2015
Working for a Living
I haven’t been paying much attention to this blog lately. Don’t judge me; I have my reasons. The main one being my job.
I tried to hang on to the remnants of my retirement as long as I could—hoarding days off and clinging to my free afternoons—but in the end they were inexorably pried from my grasp. At first, I was horrified, but now that I am settled into the job I’m wondering what all the fuss was about. I can’t even imagine what I did with all that free time. (The answer being, not a lot.)
B...
I tried to hang on to the remnants of my retirement as long as I could—hoarding days off and clinging to my free afternoons—but in the end they were inexorably pried from my grasp. At first, I was horrified, but now that I am settled into the job I’m wondering what all the fuss was about. I can’t even imagine what I did with all that free time. (The answer being, not a lot.)
B...
June 29, 2015
10 Simple Things That Give Me Joy
I have much to be joyful about—three sons, two grandsons, a pending granddaughter, lovely wife, income, published books, et al—but these are the deep-seated joys, the ones that infuse the fabric of life with a cheerful background color. And they are often (far too often) taken for granted. But, acknowledged or not, they are not the things that make your life truly joyful.
And I am not alone in thinking this:
“Happiness consists more in small conveniences or pleasures that occur every day, than...
And I am not alone in thinking this:
“Happiness consists more in small conveniences or pleasures that occur every day, than...
June 13, 2015
Me and My Bike(s)
Back when I was “retired” I bought a bike.
I made good use of it that first year but then my office hired me back part-time and my carefree ways suddenly became restricted. Still, that second year, I managed a few rides.
Then the winter set in. Then we moved and my bike came with us, to be propped up in our assigned parking bay in the secure garage beneath or flats. I was looking forward to trying the bike in this new setting—where I have instant access to the bike path instead of having to pla...
I made good use of it that first year but then my office hired me back part-time and my carefree ways suddenly became restricted. Still, that second year, I managed a few rides.
Then the winter set in. Then we moved and my bike came with us, to be propped up in our assigned parking bay in the secure garage beneath or flats. I was looking forward to trying the bike in this new setting—where I have instant access to the bike path instead of having to pla...
May 14, 2015
Clear As a Bell
Recently, we went for our bi-yearly eye exam. As a result, I bought hearing aids.
Really, there is a connection.
I wear glasses, but the time between needing glasses and actually wearing them is somewhat protracted. I first noticed the need for glasses around the time they ended commercial whaling, when my 20/20 vision began showing signs of fraying around the edges like the cuffs of a well-worn shirt. Naturally, I panicked, and ran to the opticians to get glasses. I wore them for about 20 minu...
Really, there is a connection.
I wear glasses, but the time between needing glasses and actually wearing them is somewhat protracted. I first noticed the need for glasses around the time they ended commercial whaling, when my 20/20 vision began showing signs of fraying around the edges like the cuffs of a well-worn shirt. Naturally, I panicked, and ran to the opticians to get glasses. I wore them for about 20 minu...
