World Book Day - Reading is power!

 

Hello dear friend!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and whoopee for World Book Day, Thursday 7 March 2024. This is a worldwide celebration of books and reading. In the UK the focus is on reading for pleasure for 7-11 year-olds. As an author, this event is close to my heart. And I agree with the "get 'em when they're young" attitude. 

I was so blessed that my dear mum taught me to read and write before I started school at aged 5. And I love it that by then I was already an avid reader. I can so recommend this as it opened up a whole new world for me. As it can do for all children. 

For me, it set me on my destiny. I started to write my first book aged 7. I only wrote a few chapters then ran out of steam. I realized I needed to live more to write more deeply.

But meantime, I wrote poetry, and plays and short stories. Finally, I had two non-fiction books published then my debut novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel. See details below*

This leads me to say: I love books! 

I one hundred percent recommend reading for a happy, informed, and fulfilled life. 

Reading, of itself, underpins everything we do. It enables us to keep ourselves informed in all aspects of life, which is crucial. We can scrutinize a broad spectrum of information, and weigh it in our minds for truth and lie.

This is becoming more important daily as some people, in the minority, try to force their curious agendas and opinions upon the majority. 

But, back to books. Enjoy them. Gift them. Share them. Oh, and don't forget to join your local library which will give you, and your children / grandchildren, access to millions of books for free!

 Do you, like me, love to read books? Do they enrich your life?  I would love your feedback on this topic. 

God bless,

Teresa x

For articles, plus more info about me and my work please visit my website.  (www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk)

BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS! 

If you enjoy reading my posts - and thousands of you do, from all over the world, I'm thrilled to say! - I think you will enjoy getting in deeper into my work for even more effective results. That's why I've listed my books below. All three are available as e-books as well as hard copies, which makes them very affordable. I've added lots of links so you can check them out.

Set on the green and beautiful Greek island of Corfu in this novel I show the ever-present backstory of life, as I interpret the supernatural elements of our dilemmas and choices. 

I know, that no matter what your beliefs or experiences, you will surely recognize the tussles of my characters, as tussles in your own life....  Enjoy!

Click on the following links to check out my novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel In UK /  In US / In Singapore / In Australia / In New Zealand

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

You may like to see my blog on the Backstory of this novel 

I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies for many years. I share my methods in Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God.

Check out Pray Then Listen In UK / In US  / In Singapore/ In New Zealand / In Australia

Available as a Kindle version or paperback! 

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore / In Australia / 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Here is the link for the YouTube book trailer:  9 Days to Heaven 

Pay cash to spend less money!

 Hello dear friend,

I hope you are keeping well. Thank you for stopping by. The topic of cash is getting hotter by the day. Talk of a cashless society leading to greater control of all of us is clamouring to make itself heard. Banks closing people's accounts as they disagree with the customer's politics and opinions. And so on. The noise on the subject must be getting very loud if I'm taking notice as I'm a bit clueless where finance is concerned. 

Today, I decided to sign GB News' petition to add my voice to the opinion that Cash should remain legal tender in the UK. Here's the link if you want to sign too. 

After doing so, I decided to, (nervous gulp!), make a huge effort to shop with cash instead of debit card.

Thing is, I haven't carried much cash for ages. But in the pandemic, when most places only accepted card payments, I've got too used to paying for even, say, a magazine with a card. I know I'm not the only one doing this. 

As I stood in a short queue in a Tesco Express waiting to pay for a few groceries (I rarely use self-checkout machines) I said to the person in front of me, "I won't use those machines, will you?" 

"No," she replied. "I only use cash." I hadn't given a thought to the fact that the machines only accept card payments. The woman continued, "Using cash you know what you're spending. Using a card you spend too much!" How right she was! 

By using the money from my purse I was completely aware, for the first time in ages, that only buying a few bits and pieces cost, what is for me, a lot of money!  

I did a little research on this and soon came up with plenty of views on this subject. 

A man called Clark Howard really discourages the use of paying for anything by debit card.  He points out:

 Unfortunately, the lack of consumer protection when you pay with a debit card isn’t the only potential pitfall.

The banking industry pushes debit cards as being almost equivalent to cash. But there’s something the banks are missing here, according to Clark.

“There’s a completely different psychological thing with cash than with card,” he says. “If I go somewhere and spend a $1 bill, it’s gone, right? I’ve got to come up with another one to have more.”

“There’s a sense of finite-ness with physical cash that you don’t have with a piece of plastic,” Clark notes.

For this reason, going cash-only is much more likely to help you keep your spending under control than using any kind of plastic — be it debit or credit.

How Clark Howard Uses His Debit Card

Just in case you’re wondering, yes, Clark does use a debit card.

But he uses it only to withdraw cash from ATMs. He never uses his debit card for point-of-sale (POS) purchases at the register.

“If you’ve had trouble making sure you have more money than month, and if you know you have not been able to discipline yourself with spending, then nothing beats going cash only,” Clark says.

Read more of Clark's views on this subject:

Having passed on this info I do not plan to keep lots of cash about me but where I shop the ATMs are abundant and I'll top up as and when I need to. 

I'd love to hear your views on this. Have you tried spending cash only recently? Did you feel as weird as me when you did so? That it felt like you were spending much more with cash than if you were paying the same amount by debit card? 

Love and blessings,

Teresa

P.S. Oh, and don't forget to check out my books. Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God is a prayer guide that shows you how to listen for God's voice in order to draw closer to Him. It is for all. You may not know God yet or you may know Him well, in either case the book can be of great help in deepening Faith. Check out Pray Then Listen

My book 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life shows you how to invite God into your everyday life for a better way to live. It can do this no matter where you are in your walk of Faith and will free from fear and confusion. Check out 9 Days to Heaven

My debut novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel,  Christian fiction - Holidays-romance-suspense - is set in Corfu and features characters from Wales, America and Ireland. Find all the details here.       

               

 

Keep yourself and your pets safe in the heat!

 

My cat Smudgy

Hello dear friend,

Thank you for stopping by! If you are in the UK, watching the weather forecasts and waiting for the soaring temperatures in Europe to hit us within days, I hope that you will plan ahead. Having lived in Athens, Greece for many years I know it will be a very testing time. (I don't like it too warm!) And please don't think that the risks don't concern you if you are young and healthy, that's just not true. While in Athens I vividly remember hearing of the death of a fit twenty-six year old by heatstroke in the city centre. It was shocking. I took notice, I hope you do too. Of course, all the vulnerable are at highest risk, including the very young, the elderly, and those with medical problems. 

Please see below a list of things we can all do to prevent heatstroke. (The Mayo site gives comprehensive info about the whole topic.) Also, having lived in a hot climate, I can tell you, from personal experience, that even a mild case of dehydration feels horrible - nausea and so on. The main point I want to raise is that, strangely, when you are dehydrated, you stop feeling thirsty! So, in the heat, keep drinking water regularly whether you feel thirsty or not.

The best fluid to drink in a heatwave is Water. I could always spot the tourists in Greece by the fact that they were carrying bottles of soft drinks and not water. Those of us living there would not go anywhere without a bottle of water. Actually, though I have been back in Wales for some years, I still carry water when out and about. It's a good habit which I recommend. If you really won't drink water then take your fluids as you want to; but not alcohol; which is dehydrating!

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heat-stroke/symptoms-causes/syc-20353581

Prevention of heatstroke

Heatstroke is predictable and preventable. Take these steps to prevent heatstroke during hot weather:

·         Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing. Wearing excess clothing or clothing that fits tightly won't allow your body to cool properly.  

·         Protect against sunburn. Sunburn affects your body's ability to cool itself, so protect yourself outdoors with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or sweating.

·         Drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated will help your body sweat and maintain a normal body temperature.

·         Take extra precautions with certain medications. Be on the lookout for heat-related problems if you take medications that can affect your body's ability to stay hydrated and dissipate heat.

·         Never leave anyone in a parked car. This is a common cause of heat-related deaths in children. When parked in the sun, the temperature in your car can rise 20 degrees F (more than 11 C) in 10 minutes. It's not safe to leave a person in a parked car in warm or hot weather, even if the windows are cracked or the car is in shade. When your car is parked, keep it locked to prevent a child from getting inside.

·         Take it easy during the hottest parts of the day. If you can't avoid strenuous activity in hot weather, drink fluids and rest frequently in a cool spot. Try to schedule exercise or physical labour for cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or evening.

·         Get acclimated. Limit time spent working or exercising in heat until you're conditioned to it. People who are not used to hot weather are especially susceptible to heat-related illness. It can take several weeks for your body to adjust to hot weather.

·         Be cautious if you're at increased risk. If you take medications or have a condition that increases your risk of heat-related problems, avoid the heat and act quickly if you notice symptoms of overheating. If you participate in a strenuous sporting event or activity in hot weather, make sure there are medical services available in case of a heat emergency.

Keeping your pets safe in a heatwave

If you have a cat, as I do, (see a photo of my Smudgy above!) here is a link for tips to keep them safe in a heatwave. 

https://cattime.com/cat-facts/health/16381-summer-safety-cats-heatwave

The item that jumped out at me was to keep the cat indoors at this time... About keeping up their fluids Smudgy doesn't drink a lot of water so I'll get him some packets of cat soup and put them in the fridge. He's not keen on them generally, but he will lick the gravy, so that's the plan. 

If you have a dog the link below gives lots of info. It mentions not leaving an animal in a car. Yesterday I heard that even leaving them for 10-15 minutes can cause death, so please don't do that! 

https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2021/how-to-keep-pets-safe-in-hot-weather.html

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the sunshine safely.

Love and blessings

Teresa x

For more info on my work please visit my website:www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk and my other blog: https://teresaodriscoll.blogspot.com

For further inspiration take a look at my book 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life, is a practical guide to joyful living which has already helped many through a crisis in their life.  To see the book trailer click on this link: 9 Days to Heaven

The book is available as a paperback from any good bookshop and many websites. Click here to buy the e-book on Amazon. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Days-Heaven-Make-Everlasting-Meaning-ebook/dp/B00AIR8CSC

NEWS NEWS NEWS

My debut novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel is now published internationally!

Take a look inside Angel at the Paradise Hotel or order here.

What's the novel about?

When tourism transforms a fishing village on the green and beautiful Greek island of Corfu, old hatred, envy and greed threaten to tear the community apart. Behind the scenes, personal demons fuel division while guardian angels battle to neutralize their influence.

"Angel at the Paradise Hotel is an inspiring, touching and moving novel for the ages, generating faith, optimism, and, above all, hope. A very enjoyable read, which I highly recommend!" Georges N. Chamchoum, Emmy and multiple award-winning film director and producer

Here's another link to check out the book now: 

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Welsh Care Homes: Creative Lockdown!

Orchard Care is passionate about providing the best possible care provision in a modern setting. Orchard Care believes strongly in the importance of the residents.

Hello dear friend,

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you are keeping safe in this terrible pandemic!

Today I wanted to share some very interesting news from Wales – where we have the oldest population in the UK.  

Two Welsh care homes have hit on a wonderfully sensible way of keeping their elderly residents safe from Covid-19. Instead of the staff potentially bringing in the deadly virus from the community as they change shifts they have decided to go into lockdown with their vulnerable clients.

Twenty selfless workers at Bay Tree House and Cherry Tree care homes in Wrexham, North Wales have volunteered to move in for up to six weeks amid the Covid-19 outbreak.

Cherry Tree went into lockdown on 14^th April, while Bay Tree joined them on 17^th April. Both homes are part of the Orchard Care Group.

Managers said it was to give their residents the best chance of avoiding contracting the disease and keeping them safe.

This practical plan has a strong chance of preventing an outbreak of the virus in these two homes. If successful the knock-on effect would be that the staff would not need volumes of PPE to stem a tide of Covid-19 infections. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if other care homes followed suit!

Wishing you love, light and safety

Teresa x

PS For further inspiration check out my website:  http://www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk 

And don't forget to check out my book: 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life - which is a practical guide to joyful living!   You can see the book trailer by clicking on this link:  http://youtu.be/154luv8KMns

NEWS! NEWS! NEWS!

My new prayer guide is now published!! Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God is a prayer guide that shows you how to listen for God's voice in order to draw closer to Him. It is for all. You may not know God yet or you may know Him well, in either case the book can be of great help in deepening Faith. Check out Pray Then Listen

My debut novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel,  Christian fiction - Holidays-romance-suspense - is set in Corfu and features characters from Wales, America and Ireland. Find all the details here.      

Welsh Valley Treorchy: Best UK High Street 2019

© Visa Treorchy High Street

Hello dear friend,
Just had to share this with you: A small Welsh valley high street has just scooped the title of Best High Street at the Great British High Street Awards.

I am very familiar with this high street and completely agree with the judges! Treorchy is an exceptional place. Hemmed in by tall mountains, yet with good links to other areas including the capital city of Cardiff, Treorchy gives the immediate impression of high self-esteem. 

Visit in summer or winter and you are sure to get a warm welcome from its very friendly people. And if you enjoy male voice choirs you will be hard-pressed to find better than the award winning Treorchy Male Voice Choir.

Congratulations Treorchy!

With every good wish
Teresa x

To check out whole story please follow this link: 
http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/small-town-in-the-welsh-valleys-named-uks-best-high-street/ar-BBZhWfZ?ocid=AARDHP

PS For further inspiration check out my website:  http://www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk 

PPS Don't forget to check out my book: 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life - which is a practical guide to joyful living!   You can see the book trailer by clicking on this link: http://youtu.be/154luv8KMns

Try something new: It's such fun!

Hello dear friend,
Thank you so much for dropping in. Wishing you a very Happy New Year! How is your year going so far? Have you made a list of New Year's Resolutions? I have a list of my own. One of them is to try new things.

With reference to that I want to tell you that I went along to an arts & crafts workshop run by my dear friend Erica Evans. (Follow this link to see her website: https://www.simplycraft.com/) These are run each month at St Teilo's church hall in Whitchurch, Cardiff.

I absolutely loved the day! I learnt so much. And met lots of lovely people too.

That day Erica demonstrated how to create greetings cards using a stamping method and applying watercolour. She also introduced us to a way of experimenting with art by using a journal which we could refer back to, or add to, as inspiration guided us.

Using her methods and with lots of guidance and encouragement, I began a journal - see a picture of my humble efforts above. I created this picture through layering of paints and stencils. Those of you who know me know that I already love to dabble in paint. But. I had never used this method before. It was such great fun that I almost floated home on a cloud of enthusiasm!

So, if you are hankering after a new hobby or activity I'd say: Go for it! It really is true that you don't know what you can do until you try.

Let me know how you get on.

All the best
Teresa x 

PS For further inspiration check out my website:  http://www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk 

And don't forget to check out my book: 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life - which is a practical guide to joyful living!   You can see the book trailer by clicking on this link:  http://youtu.be/154luv8KMns

  

National Poetry Day: Athens Revisited

Hello dear friend,
Thank you so much for stopping by!

Today is National Poetry Day. Perhaps you too are trying your hand at a bit of rhyming. I have dabbled - no more - all my life. Recently I began penning 'snapshots' of holiday moments. I recommend it. It's fun if you keep it very simple and short.

Having just returned from a visit to friends in Athens I wanted to share one of those snapshots with you today. I would love to read some of yours as a swap.

Love and blessings
Teresa x

Edom Café at Sunset (7 pm Sat 21^st September 19)

By Teresa O'Driscoll

Gentle whoosh of waves on shore

Chatter of voices, clink of glasses and ice

Lowering sun winks off watching apartment windows

Edom, Athens, am here once more!

A palm tree clacks its leaves at me

As the wind is kicking up and turning chilly

The sun is a tangerine on the mountain

Its rays a slash of gold on the sea. []

PS Don't forget to take a look at my other blog:  http://teresaodriscoll.blogspot.co.uk/

Also, for further inspiration check out my website:  http://www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk 

PPS Don't forget to check out my book: 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life - which is a practical guide to joyful living!   You can see the book trailer by clicking on this link:  http://youtu.be/154luv8KMns