Monthly Archives: June 2025

Starvation with a side of stag beetles (Belle)

Posted on June 24, 2025 by Dreamaticus

My mother served me a tiny dinner on a large plate. Nine peas! She was definitely trying to starve me. I quickly forgot this shocking state of affairs when I saw my two, giant pet stag beetles on the patio. … Continue reading →

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A valuable original blue Chopper bike (Rousse)

Posted on June 23, 2025 by Dreamaticus

My brother-in-law M owned an original blue Chopper bike. He was shocked when I told him that it was worth around £2,000. My sister J – looking slim in yellow chiffon – was very pleased to hear this news.

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Garfields survive house clearance deadline (Rousse)

Posted on June 17, 2025 by Dreamaticus

Now that my youngest sister had cleared our parents’ house (albeit a year later than the ‘final’ deadline), my middle sister and I felt able to accept the new owner’s invitation to visit it once more and look at his … Continue reading →

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A pyrotechnic phone thief (Rousse)

Posted on June 14, 2025 by Dreamaticus

I was training for the Great North Run with OC. Just after we crossed the swing bridge, I saw a lost smartphone propped up on a road sign. I reached out to pick it up. Suddenly, a man approached me, … Continue reading →

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The care home ‘death routine’ (Rousse)

Posted on June 13, 2025 by Dreamaticus

Although my mother was still alive and well, the care home staff convinced me to participate in a dry-run of their ‘death routine’. A carer showed me into a small room that contained a low, blue plastic platform. ‘This is … Continue reading →

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My bearded Swedish love (Rousse)

Posted on June 8, 2025 by Dreamaticus

I really didn’t have much to do with the refereeing the journal article, but my new Swedish collaborator was keen for my input to be acknowledged. I was happy to go along with this – especially because when we leant … Continue reading →

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Curious rucksack contents (Rousse)

Posted on June 8, 2025 by Dreamaticus

I grabbed my rucksack and followed my Canadian colleague BD out the door. If this was the last time that we were together, I wanted to be with him as long as I could. We walked across the big public … Continue reading →

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A lost baby, a father risen from the dead, drug addicts, and an unlicensed driver (Rousse)

Posted on June 7, 2025 by Dreamaticus

‘Wake up! Wake up!’ I screamed at my mother in the bed next to mine. ‘Naomi’s baby has vanished!’ I made such a noise that I literally woke my father from the dead. When I noticed his corpse stir at … Continue reading →

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Fated never to play Catan (Rousse)

Posted on June 3, 2025 by Dreamaticus

For months I had been trying to find an opportunity to teach the board game Catan to my neighbour KB and online friend KJD. Now, at last, they were both at my flat and eager to learn. Even my sister … Continue reading →

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