In politics, we’re torn between ideals and practicalities, aspirations and realities, the world as we want it, and as we find it But one day a manifesto comes along that reconciles both in every pledge. A rare moment of clarity and hope

If the whole planet went to complete solar & wind energy we could stop global warming in 5 years. 5 years,folks. The oil & gas industry would be relegated to machinery only.

Binface, Binface, Binface!!! Come on Clacton, you know nothing makes sense anymore. He can't be worse than the No-Show Grifter 5-mill Farage

Existing in my post cancer treatment body means taking painkillers before leaving the house. It also means delaying departure because I had a coffee, and I need to be sure I'm not about to have an adverse reaction. Fortunately, this conference is running for 3 days... 😆

My younger self would be shocked to discover that I am now someone who prefers smooth peanut butter.

"We are living in times when too many people behave as if humans exist to feed the system, rather than the system existing to support humanity. This upside-down thinking explains so many of the challenges that we face today, as well as the coordinated attacks on our sense of self-worth."

If it was really about the cost to taxpayers, wouldn't the hatriots be rioting in front of the houses of the rich opportunists ripping us off with the inflated cost of their not fit for human occupancy asylum hotels?

As Britain swelters through another heatwave, few people will have heard that ministers have quietly dropped plans for solar carports. Cars cooler in summer. Shelter from the rain in winter. Clean electricity all year round. A missed opportunity?

33% of the World's population does not have access to clean drinking water. Eff the data centers.

Have you ever noticed how some people are so distracted arguing about the pedantic details of history that they fail to learn its lessons? Pedantry as a torpedo to truth. I'm starting to suspect it might be deliberate.

I'm not sure if it's the heat, but I think we are overdue a self-worth revolution ... open.substack.com/pub/stephani...

I rest my case.

Have you ever been to a party where you know a few people, but they're busy mingling. So you try to join other conversations. People are friendly but distant. So you're edged out to the wall. Maybe you loiter by the food. Plaster a smile on and feel sad. BlueSky is like that party for me.

It is after midnight and my door bell just rang. I opened the front door, heart pounding. Why would someone be at my door so late? So many scenarios - none good. My cat Louis strolls into the house. My neighbour, clearly on her way home explained that he was crying at the front door.

Hey gang. It's #buyastrangerabook day! @laurabrennan.bsky.social sent me a tenner to buy someone a book with. How lovely is that? So, there are millions of ace books for you to ask for. So just ask if there's a particular book you want! UK only

This old fella loves his cat mint. Make no mistake, it is his cat mint. He is only willing to share it with the bees and butterflies

Today, we remember Jo Cox, who was murdered ten years ago. In her maiden speech, Jo famously said: “We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.” Ten years on, those words are a powerful reminder to us all: We have far more in common than that which divides us.

Living with incurable cancer, I've learned a lot about hope. I'm still learning, truth be told. Here are my learnings so far.. A mix of myth, psychology, poetry, and cats. The chaos of my brain = the antithesis of AI 😂 open.substack.com/pub/stephani...

The first thing Nigel Farage will introduce if he is elected is Health Insurance. The NHS correctly costs £200bn a year. In the USA Health Insurance is £14,000 a year per person £14,000 x 50m adults is £700bn a year. £500bn a year profit If you can't afford that you are dying

If you like my stories, then please support my writing & buy me a chocolate over on Kofi ko-fi.com/annelouiseav.... I can't work full-time, because of ongoing cancer treatment, which gives me lots of awful side effects like severe fatigue & joint pain, so every little bit really does help!

Nice thing to see on my way home.

Living with incurable cancer, I've learned a lot about hope. I'm still learning, truth be told. Here are my learnings so far.. A mix of myth, psychology, poetry, and cats. The chaos of my brain = the antithesis of AI 😂 open.substack.com/pub/stephani...

Huge fan of this graphic

I have shared a chapter of my WIP novel in my latest substack article. First time I've put this much of my book out there. Feels safe sharing here,as no one reads or reacts to my posts 😆 open.substack.com/pub/stephani...

That thing when you do something that is seismic to you but causes nary a ripple in the world. Perfect moment to put the kettle on, make a cup of tea, and watch a TV quiz show.

Damn. RIP to a real one.

The new neighbours have moved in, and they seem very nice so far. They're Ukrainian and have a baby who was delighted to meet me. I am not someone who generally delights babies. It is a pleasant sensation. But I'm not sure we'll be as close as I was with one of the previous neighbours.

I struggle to keep up with the gardening (stupid chronic illness), so I carefully curate the photos I share to leave out the mess. I am honest enough to admit this, but I am still too ashamed to stop doing it. My garden is full of bees and butterflies, and they are my main audience 🐝🦋

There is something that people don't like to hear, but it is undeniably true. You cannot wage increase or Universal Basic Income your way out of our nightmare. Because the billionaires who own everything will simply increase their prices. You must stop the billionaires.

Floppy hot floof

In this week's A Life Quixote I share why I turned shopping into a social occasion, how a 94-year old & a 17 year-old have taught me more about purpose than a spreadsheet, and why the most resilient people are those with the strongest roots outside the office. open.substack.com/pub/stephani...

These things should be taxed into impossibility.

"non clinical staff" deciding if you're ok to go back to work after a miscarriage/mastectomy/severe epilepsy etc. Oh yeah this is gonna kill people.

For lovers of gothic fiction, a creepy short story by yours truly. Seemed appropriate after a scanxiety intense week. #writing #booksky open.substack.com/pub/stephani...

My blood marker test came back & my cancer remains undetectable. Which is great news. I do have some concerning symptoms, so we are following up with a CT scan, but my oncologist isn't expecting to find anything bad. She is acting out of an abundance of caution. Caution is reassuring.

Tomorrow, I'm seeing my oncologist to find out if my cancer is kicking off again. I keep trying to distract myself, but my brain keeps gnawing on how similar my current symptoms are to those before my last recurrence. People talk about scanxiety, but mine is more like scan-hypochondria. #cansky

Is the neverending pursuit for convenience making us lonelier and angrier? Do we need to actively reintroduce mindful friction to our lives? My latest A Life Quixotic article is up! open.substack.com/pub/stephani...

I don’t believe that most voters are OK with this. A moral failing of the British media that these four reprobates were not made (in)famous enough to be stopped.

Gratitude is a lovely emotion, but as a cancer survivor, it can feel like it is the only emotion you are allowed to express. Screw that.

I voted today. Whoop whoop! This is my didn't vote for reform face

My latest A Life Quixotic article is up on substack. Dedicated to everyone living with #cancer or other #chronicillnesses. You are not alone. open.substack.com/pub/stephani...

My latest A Life Quixotic article is dedicated to anyone whose role has been made redundant. Although I'm hoping it might help anyone facing uncertainty. open.substack.com/pub/stephani...

My second 'A Life Quixotic' article has gone live today. This week, I talk about what resilience isn't, and I share some of the techniques I've used to navigate tough times. It is more lighthearted than it sounds, I promise open.substack.com/pub/stephani...

My second 'A Life Quixotic' article has gone live today. This week, I talk about what resilience isn't, and I share some of the techniques I've used to navigate tough times. It is more lighthearted than it sounds, I promise open.substack.com/pub/stephani...

Hi, I just signed this! We’re trying to break the record for the UK's biggest ever thank you card - dedicated to everyone in our community who makes life a bit easier. Will you add your name and pass this on so we can break the record?! you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/si...

Great to be in London on the massive demo against the far right! Brilliant atmosphere of solidarity, unity and hope. We will not be divided. Thanks to all the organisers and speakers. @togetheralliance.bsky.social #standuptoracism #unity #hope

BBC PROTEST BLACKOUT