If I tell you that I’ve been re-reading Frances Hodgson-Burnett’s ‘The Secret Garden’, what would you deduce from that? Yep, I’m so stressed, I fear my head might actually explode. I believe that most people have these stress markers – the mental equivalent of a security blanket. Mine? Easy. If I start reading books like Pollyanna or Alice in Wonderland, or start watching wall-to-wall sci-fi shows, call a psychiatrist. If I resort to Stargate SG1 or Star Trek: DS9, call an ambulance 🙂 That’s the stuff I do when it all gets a bit too much; my panacea against reality-overdose. Once I start reading Lee Child or watching crazy programmes such as Colony or Homeland, you can bet I’m back to my combative best. No Stargate this weekend – it’s Killjoys and Condor all the way.

So, thank God it’s Saturday. I am actually motivated and inspired to work on company stuff. The power of a good night’s sleep. Time for some Shakespeare: ‘Sleep that knits up the raveled sleave of care, The death of each day’s life, sore labor’s bath, Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course, Chief nourisher in life’s feast.’ Couldn’t have put it better meself. Of course it’s best to also remeber the much less cheery ‘A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.’ Thanks Solomon, you mega party-pooper. My favourite? That’s a no-brainer: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.‘ That’s what I’m talking about 🙂

So, I’ve been passing out on the sofa, waking up at 2am and the picking up ‘The Secret Garden’ I just never learn. At 4am, I’m now thinking ‘ This is a huge mistake. Put down the wretched book.’ When the alarm goes off at 7am, yep, I feel as if I’ve been whacked on the back of the head with a sock full of sand. The triumph of hope over experience – never pick up a book you’re interested in at 2am, promising to read ‘just a couple of pages.’

Fave story this week? The man who called the police to rescue him as he was being pursued by a baby squirrel. This is a baby squirrel:

I am thrilled to report that the police managed to save the man from this relentless pursuit, using the simple tactic of waiting until the little fella became exhausted, curled into a ball, and fell asleep. Nature – red in tooth and claw. You are never more that 2ft from a squirrel. Yes, I did just make that up.

In other news, poor Dylan McWilliams is apparently a marked man. In less than 4 years he has been attacked by a rattlesnake, a bear, and a shark, presumably not simultaneously. Lions, and tigers, and bears, Oh My! Dylan, Dylan, stay at home on the sofa. I’m not saying that the universe hates you, mostly because the universe is not a sentient being. But still….. People, bear in mind that you are very rarely subject to shark attacks in your living room. The great outdoors? Bah! Humbug. Remember, you are never more than 2ft from a desperado squirrel. Let’s be careful out there. I leave you with a picture of lions, just because I love big cats and these are truly beautiful. Have a great weekend.