About my book... My book is intended as an autobiographical, but essentially sociological, reflection on the path(s) that my life has taken....It's a look back at my life from my now mid-60s position in it....in an attempt to better know and understand just 'who I am'....and who I've been....and become.....and just how I got here. Yes, its personal....of course it is....that's what autobiographies are.....but I hope it's a readily recognisable, and therefore rewarding, read, for all those who take the trouble to read it. As the perceptive Shakespeare wrote in "As you like it"....."One man, in his time, plays many parts....His acts being seven ages"....and my (sociological) autobiography generally follows that seven-age pattern....So, there's (hopefully) something of both relevance and interest for everybody.....at every age. Accordingly, each chapter stands alone, (if you want it to), in looking at a particular 'phase' of my life, as well as (hopefully) painting a more complete picture, and offering that lifelong perspective, for those who see it through to the end. So, whether in part or in whole..... Enjoy.

Dementia is a particularly cruel and teasing disease for which there is no known cure. No vaccine... and no escape, once it takes a hold. My book is a personal, yet hopefully objective, and sociological, reflection on all aspects of caring for my much-loved Mum throughout the steadily worsening stages of her final (5) years of life... until the Dementia finally reeled in its 'prey.' If it makes a positive difference to just one sufferer, it will not have been written in vain.

About my book... My book is intended as an autobiographical, but essentially sociological, reflection on the path(s) that my life has taken....It's a look back at my life from my now mid-60s position in it....in an attempt to better know and understand just 'who I am'....and who I've been....and become.....and just how I got here. Yes, its personal....of course it is....that's what autobiographies are.....but I hope it's a readily recognisable, and therefore rewarding, read, for all those who take the trouble to read it. As the perceptive Shakespeare wrote in "As you like it"....."One man, in his time, plays many parts....His acts being seven ages"....and my (sociological) autobiography generally follows that seven-age pattern....So, there's (hopefully) something of both relevance and interest for everybody.....at every age. Accordingly, each chapter stands alone, (if you want it to), in looking at a particular 'phase' of my life, as well as (hopefully) painting a more complete picture, and offering that lifelong perspective, for those who see it through to the end. So, whether in part or in whole..... Enjoy.

My book is a personal, perhaps parochial and anecdotal, but nonetheless sociological consideration of the pleasures and pains of having a dog in your life. It is a story that every dog-lover will surely find empathy with. But it is also an attempt to explore some of the common-thread factors....of relationships, attachments, and the inevitable and developmental changes and stages....that affect us all on our journey through life.... through a focus on the life, loss and bereavement of our family pet. The title is taken from the famous Meryl Streep 'I had a farm in Africa' line, as she played the central character, Karen Blixen, in the film, 'Out of Africa'. That was an intimate and moving story of unexpected attachment......and, hopefully, this is another......