Author Archives: lesleyjonesberry

Past Imperfect

Posted on January 4, 2026 by lesleyjonesberry

I have returned to sorting family photographs. There are too many for my comfort. Stashed in a half-sorted manner in a combination of crates and boxes, they snag at my mind burdensomely. A task not completed. A mess unsorted. A treasure … Continue reading →

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So long as we can breathe or eyes can see

Posted on November 29, 2025 by lesleyjonesberry

Mum’s friend, Joyce, is in hospital and I visited her yesterday.  Mum and Joyce. They met, and served together, in the Second World War and they kept in touch for the rest of their lives. They lived 240 miles apart … Continue reading →

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Stepping out

Posted on November 11, 2025 by lesleyjonesberry

On holiday for a few days, in Paris. 5 days and so I have 5 novels. This feels about right. Fewer than five makes me anxious. These are holiday reads, nothing long or challenging, and I am quite a fast reader – … Continue reading →

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Turtles all the way down

Posted on October 8, 2025 by lesleyjonesberry

I returned to my therapist last weekend. I feel I can write that in an expectation that you, dear reader, will respond with an ‘oh, yes’ of recognition. But I do want at least to try to check my privilege … Continue reading →

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Changing the Matrix

Posted on August 27, 2025 by lesleyjonesberry

We became ensnarled in a Bank Holiday tailback on Monday, just north of Cambridge. We were about two-thirds of the way home after a weekend at a Folk Festival, the pace slowed and the forest of red tail-lights appeared. I … Continue reading →

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Apples

Posted on July 21, 2025 by lesleyjonesberry

We spent five days walking with Refugee Tales. It was a rich experience, with the underlying shapes of pilgrimage, of political protest march, of migration and the search for refuge – of the human condition which is forever transient. Here is … Continue reading →

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Failure

Posted on May 2, 2025 by lesleyjonesberry

Yesterday I felt a failure. The feeling is unpleasant, heavy and upsetting. It brought tears and held me immobile and helpless for a while.  I don’t often feel a failure. I realise that I put significant energies into avoiding the feeling. I like … Continue reading →

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Hacked off

Posted on April 9, 2025 by lesleyjonesberry

After a few years of ignoring the flaking paint and a pervasive drop in temperature as one enters our kitchen, we have taken a deep breath, drawn ourselves up to our full height as responsible adults, and are “having the … Continue reading →

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Living

Posted on February 12, 2025 by lesleyjonesberry

Sixteen months ago I stopped working and this has been long enough for people to ask how I am enjoying retirement.  I interpret this as really asking “What on earth do you do with your time?” I feel better if … Continue reading →

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Resolution

Posted on January 11, 2025 by lesleyjonesberry

There was a period of time when I tried to encourage the family to make New Year’s Resolutions. These were modest in ambition, often the usual ideas of eating more healthily or exercising more. I also liked to set a … Continue reading →

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