World Book Day - Reading is power!

 

Hello dear friend!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and whoopee for World Book Day! It happens on the first Thursday of March, so this year, 2026, it is today the 5th. 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: 

• 
  

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

                                                     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

Use any Supermarket Car Park in UK? Read this to prevent a hefty fine!

                                                  When in Rome do as the Romans!


You know someone actually complimented me on my driving today, they left a note on my windscreen, it said, 'Parking Fine'.
                                                           Tommy Cooper     


Hello dear friend,
I have been meaning to pass on this warning for some time now, but better late than never I think. If you use any supermarket car park in the UK please take note: Have a good look around the car park for signs listing the rules for using that facility.  It could save you from a hefty fine!

It doesn't seem to matter where you are in the country or which supermarket chain you are stopping to shop at. Unless you familiarize yourself with conditions under which you are allowed to park you could come a cropper. From listening to friends and their problems with such parking I'd advise you to especially scour the rules for two things: 1) The length of time you are allotted to do your shopping. 2) If it states you are only allowed to park within the marked spaces.

The first one seems obvious - though not necessarily. A friend, at Christmas time was in an Aldi car park up north. She did her shopping. Had to queue for ages due to seasonal peak of customers. And then went back into the shop to buy a plant she had seen but couldn't carry until she'd stowed her groceries. She later, in the post, got a letter containing notification of a £70 fine, along with a photograph of her car both arriving and leaving the car park. Bah humbug, eh! And the photos were really spooky - big brother and all that! George Orwell certainly knew a thing or two.

My lovely friend had legitimately been shopping at Aldi's for the whole time, but the parking policy was to allow only 1 hour 30 minutes to do so. The queuing and the plant had cost her an extra £70! She was understandably very angry. When she made inquiries in shop she was told - very politely -that it was not the responsibility of the shop but that it was down to the company running the car park. (You make up your own mind about that...!)

Another friend was fined £80, in - as far as I can remember - a Marks & Spencer car park in Manchester, for parking with one wheel very slightly on one of the white lines marking the parking space.

With these two friends as a warning I made sure, that when I first parked in the car park of a new Aldi's I visited, I read the warning board. There, among a list of many things, I found I could only park for 2 hours - fine for me generally, but at least I knew to keep an eye on the time and not get too caught up in shopping. I also read the 'park within the marked bay' rule. And when a couple parked beside me, straddling a line I told them about the rule, and they corrected their parking.

And now I have told you.

Happy shopping!

And if you have your own story to tell I'd love to hear from you.

Love and blessings

Teresa x
PS Don't forget to take a look at my other blogs:  http://teresaodriscoll.blogspot.co.uk/  and http://teresaodriscolldeardiary.blogspot.com/

 plus my website  http://www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk   for further inspiration!

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

Sinus Problems? I have a solution!

The green and beautiful Greek island of Alonisos - photo from Greece Travel - see link below

Hello dear friend,
Thanks for stopping by!

I am blessed, generally, with good health. But sometimes I get a problem with my sinuses which may or may not be painful. Sometimes, like now, it is just plain debilitating. If this is your problem too I have the solution – well something which works brilliantly for me, so I wanted to pass the info along.

My tip is a homeopathic remedy. Yes, I do know that homeopathy is, and may always remain, a controversial alternative treatment. So, if that immediately makes you want to move off this page I urge you to linger long enough to find out more; from my personal experience.

Many years ago I had my first, and rather acute, bout of sinusitis. Three lots of antibiotics later (yes, I know, but I now avoid these like the plague if I can) I was no better. In desperation I walked into my nearest health food shop and asked for help. They recommended me to try a homeopathic solution: Combination Q. Imagine my surprise when these tiny, melt on your tongue, tablets did the trick. From the ineffectual sledgehammer of antibiotics to these powerful yet gentle tissue salts, I was, by experience, persuaded by the effectiveness of homeopathy.

In Athens I was happy to discover that homeopathy owes its resurgence of popularity to an eminent Greek doctor: #George Vithoulkas. He opened the #International Academy of Classical Homeopathy on the green and beautiful island of #Alonisos (visit their website: https://www.vithoulkas.com  for more info). In Greece all homeopathic practitioners must first be a fully qualified conventional medical doctor.

Homeopathy has been around for over 200 years and was discovered by an eminent German physician, #Samuel Hahnemann. In 1831 the success of his therapy during a typhoid epidemic bordered on the miraculous. Later, his cures of patients suffering from scarlet fever and cholera were epic.

Homeopathy is often dismissed by classical medicine because it is still not really understood how it works. Some experts in the homeopathy field maintain that it is an “energy medicine” based on biophysics, quantum physics, and electromagnetic fields. I do not pretend to understand most (any?) of that. But similarly, I don’t really understand how electricity works either. I only know that when I plug in my electric kettle it heats the water. And I only know that Combination Q alleviated my sinus problem. And has done so numerous times over the years.

The brand I recommend is #New Era, Mineral Tissue Salt, Combination Q. If you buy another brand make sure they are fast melt tablets. Don't touch the tablets just shake them into the lid and drop them onto your tongue. I tried something else last year and you had to chew them to get them down. This chomping goes against my research in the use of homeopathy. 

Wishing you all the best. Please let me know how you get on with these tablets if you try them.

Love and blessings

Teresa

PS for more info on the island of #Alonisos visit: https://www.greecetravel.com/aegean/alonissos.htm Here you will find an interesting article on the island co-authored by #Alexia Amvrazi - a former colleague of mine at the Athens News!

PPS Don't forget to take a look at my other blogs:  http://teresaodriscoll.blogspot.co.uk/  and http://teresaodriscolldeardiary.blogspot.com/

 plus my website  http://www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk   for further inspiration!
And then there is 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

Feel As Free As A Bird!

Red kites swooping down for their daily feed at #Gigrin Farm, Rhayer, photo by Teresa O'Driscoll

Hello there, 
In my last post I mentioned the book of verse, #Escaped As A Bird, from patients at the #Oshima Leprosy Hospital in Japan. I quoted a poem relating to Christmas. Reading my Bible the other day I was surprised to discover the book’s unusual title in a line of a Psalm. Since the content of the book was written by members of the Christian Poetry Club at the hospital I suppose it was not surprising.

The title, in the context of the whole Psalm, is so very revealing. It gives an insight into the whole picture of the experience of the people, who, because of an illness were forced by the State, between 1907 and 1996, to leave family and home and live in isolation on a small island: Oshima. Their choice of title and Psalm clearly shows their faith in God.

Psalm 124

If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,

let Israel now say –
if it had not been the Lord who was on our side,
when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us.
Then over us would have gone the raging waters.

Blessed be the Lord,
who has not given us
as prey to their teeth!
We have escaped as a bird
from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken and we have escaped!

Our help is in the name of the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.

In 2001 a Japanese court ruled that the policy of segregating suffers of leprosy – otherwise known as Hansen’s disease - was unconstitutional and should have been discontinued after effective multidrug therapies were made widely available by the end of the 1950s.

For more info and lots of photos of Oshima I recommend an article: Oshima, the Forbidden Island, by David Billa. He has documented his visit to the island – where he met some of the people still living there – with lots of photos as well as some powerful observations.

Please follow this link: https://setouchiexplorer.com/oshima-forbidden-island/

Wishing you love and blessings.

Teresa x

PS I hope you like the photo of the red kites which I took when watching feeding time from a hide at #Gigrin Farm in Wales. See: http://www.gigrin.co.uk
  

 PPS Don't forget to take a look at my other blogs:  http://teresaodriscoll.blogspot.co.uk/  and http://teresaodriscolldeardiary.blogspot.com/

Plus my website:  http://www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk   for further inspiration!

And then there is 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 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: 

Dreading Christmas? Take Heart!

Hello dear friend,
Thank you for stopping by!

Christmas is not always an easy time of year. Perhaps you feel sad and lonely. Maybe you think that no one feels as bad as you. But that’s actually not true. There is always someone in the world going through a tough time. Fact is, life is peppered with good times and bad times. The trick is to keep going when things are at their most bleak. When I feel I cannot go on I ask God to please hold me in the palm of His hand. And He always does!

I found my diary from last Christmas Day which read, “There was a gaping Mum-shaped hole in the day. Saddest Christmas ever. One of the saddest days of my life.” It’s just over a year now since we lost her and though it is getting a little easier Christmas will just not be the same without her. But, as a Christian I am celebrating the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

I have just come back from church and feel lifted up by the service. The church was packed and the line for Holy Communion a joy to see. Before Mass the priest put the figure of baby Jesus into the crib and blessed it and everyone sang carols. So I have started my Christmas celebrations with my focus on Christ and His birthday. And am now looking forward to a day with the family tomorrow.

Mum was very fond of poetry. Yesterday I came across one of her favourite books. It is an old volume called Escaped As A Bird, with verses from the Christian Poetry Club at the Oshima Leprosy Hospital in Japan. (From 1907 until 1996 those with leprosy in Japan were forced to live in such places.) Intrigued, I read the intro which includes these words, “Instead of being broken on the anvil of pain, suffering and deformity, these suffers have found faith, peace and joy under the ministry of Christian love…”

Here is a poem by a patient called Yamamoto

The wireless brings us songs of Christmas praise

From far and near;

And listening we are one with you today,

Friends, everywhere!

I take heart from those brave words. I hope you do too.

Wishing you a Happy and Holy Christmas.

Teresa x

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

Plus my website:  http://www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk   for further inspiration!

Then there is 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

PUTTING ON A BRAVE FACE - How to cope when things are tough

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

Are you going through a bad time but trying to cover up your distress? Join the club! A few days ago I updated my website Dear Diary. Then I managed to track down an AWOL blog site  http://teresaodriscolldeardiary.blogspot.com – It’s where I archive previous website posts but Blogger changed things and unlinked it from this blog.  

When I glanced at the last couple of entries. My jaw dropped. ‘Oh,’ I muttered. They were upbeat and informative. While my latest post was rather lackluster – though I assure you I had tried.
           
But I admit that I just dashed something off because I realized it was ages since I’d posted. But clearly the grief of losing my Mum only weeks before Christmas is still reverberating.
            
Sometimes I catch an unexpected glimpse of myself in a mirror and am startled by the deadness in my eyes.
            
Don’t get me wrong. I know that I was blessed to have my mum for as long as I did. And I still have my dad. A number of my friends have lost both their parents, and a few of those did so when their parents were young. Also, some friends are coping with other losses, and other trials too…
            
But you know the saying that goes something like: ‘I felt sorry for myself because I didn’t have any shoes until I met a man who didn’t have feet.’ Well, over the years, when in a trying time, I have thought about that to see if it helped. And though it did a little, fact was my pain was my pain for that time. Sometimes we just need to accept that until the worst passes.  
          
I know that some of you are in your pain at this time – that’s life isn’t it? Up and down. Please know that I am sending you blessings. And if you want to share anything just get in touch.

Meantime, please find below some of my coping strategies. I hope they are of help.

Love and light

Teresa

P.S. Please check back again soon as I plan to start posting regularly again.

   5 steps to get you through a testing time

1) Exercise: Get out in the fresh air as much as you can - walk, cycle, jog, or swim. Or do a workout at the gym, take a class in dance, spinning, yoga, Pilates; whatever.

2) Look around: When you are out and about take an active interest in your surroundings. Glance up at the sky, the top of a building, a tree, a bird in flight, people passing by… You get my drift I’m sure.

3) Try going Low-GI: The less a food is processed, the harder the body needs to work to digest it, which means you get natural slow-released energy. So opt for lots of wholegrains, fruits and veggies.

4) Make goals: At the start of the day write down 5 things you want to accomplish. Small or great a goal achieved is satisfying.

5) Count blessing: At the end of the day write down 5 things you are thankful for. Close your eyes and really feel how lucky you are. []

 PPS Don't forget to take a look at my other blogs:  http://teresaodriscoll.blogspot.co.uk/  and http://teresaodriscolldeardiary.blogspot.com/

Plus my website:  http://www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk   for further inspiration!

Then there is 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 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: