Author Jude Collins

“Life,” a wise woman once said to me, “is a matter of contrasts”.  Too true.  We don’t appreciate silence if we haven’t experienced noise, we don’t enjoy a drink if we haven’t gone thirsty, and we don’t appreciate the outdoors if we haven’t been stuck inside for days and days and days and days. Ever […]

“Life,” a wise woman once said to me, “is a matter of contrasts”.  Too true.  We don’t appreciate silence if we haven’t experienced noise, we don’t enjoy a drink if we haven’t gone thirsty, and we don’t appreciate the outdoors if we haven’t been stuck inside for days and days and days and days. Ever […]

Well, that’s it.  All material activity done for the day. Final gifts bought for people whose sizes we should know by now but don’t.  Final extra layer of food bought for those whose stomachs might feel the need for a third helping of soup, ham, turkey, brussel sprouts ice cream, mince pie. Final purchase of […]

Well, that’s it.  All material activity done for the day. Final gifts bought for people whose sizes we should know by now but don’t.  Final extra layer of food bought for those whose stomachs might feel the need for a third helping of soup, ham, turkey, brussel sprouts ice cream, mince pie. Final purchase of […]

I saw a fox the other night.  I was down in the kitchen  at 4.00 a.m.,  marveling at how cold the tiled floor felt under my bare feet and how bright the moonlight was on the snow in the back garden. Then as I stared through the kitchen window I saw a shadow – maybe […]

I saw a fox the other night.  I was down in the kitchen  at 4.00 a.m.,  marveling at how cold the tiled floor felt under my bare feet and how bright the moonlight was on the snow in the back garden. Then as I stared through the kitchen window I saw a shadow – maybe […]

I’ve just helped do a  three-and-a-half hour shopping venture,  read my email, helped  make (are you noticing a serving-man motif here?)  a raspberry sponge-cake, and am now about to head for Aldergrove (aka Belfast International Airport) to collect Son No 2 and his girl-friend  Tiffany. Do I hate all the fuss and fatigue of Christmas? […]

I’ve just helped do a  three-and-a-half hour shopping venture,  read my email, helped  make (are you noticing a serving-man motif here?)  a raspberry sponge-cake, and am now about to head for Aldergrove (aka Belfast International Airport) to collect Son No 2 and his girl-friend  Tiffany. Do I hate all the fuss and fatigue of Christmas? […]

I was scheduled to do an interview for Don McGurgan in Omagh yesterday, remembering what it was liking growing up in Omagh, particularly at Christmas-time. Alas, the weather intervened and even though like everyone else I’m wildly excited about the new road between Dungannon and Ballygawley, I decided to stay put in Greenisland. I’m sorry […]

I was scheduled to do an interview for Don McGurgan in Omagh yesterday, remembering what it was liking growing up in Omagh, particularly at Christmas-time. Alas, the weather intervened and even though like everyone else I’m wildly excited about the new road between Dungannon and Ballygawley, I decided to stay put in Greenisland. I’m sorry […]