Sarah Hargreaves

Writing, Reading and Listening

recent posts

  • Vets and vaccinations

    Is there anything more distressing than watching the people dog you love suffer?

    Ozzy is not a fan of the vets. Big time. She never really liked it at the start, and after a few distressing visits, she hates it.

    Waiting outside because it’s too scary inside

    So, in order for her to go and get something routine, like her annual vaccination, I have to dose her up on anti-anxiety medication. Which, to be blunt, don’t work. Sure, she’s drowsy and dopey in the car, but the minute we get there, she’s on high alert. Any evil vet might be lurking round the corner to stick some horrible needle into her.

    After 40 minutes of gentle cajoling, strong handling, and muzzle putting on, we managed to vaccinate her. She’s now looking at me like I am such treacherous owner, and how did I dare put her through such an ordeal.

    Anti-vaxxers don’t come for me, I don’t want her to get sick, and my pet insurance is invalid without it.

    I also don’t approve of drugging dogs willy nilly to get them to behave. This was so she would be more chilled when she was in there, goodness knows what she would have been like if I hadn’t.

    Anyway, here’s a photo of her looking angelic (and not drugged).

  • It’s the drink and the lifestyle

    What is your favorite drink?

    Hear me out.

    It’s a cold, frosty, sunny day.

    You put on coats, hats, gloves, and scarves and take the dog out for a long walk. When you breathe in you can feel the cold air in your lungs. It feels fresh and there is a delicious crunch underfoot.

    You get home, take off the coats, hats, gloves and scarves and someone has lit the fire. The living room is warm and inviting. There’s chocolate biscuits on a plate on the coffee table next to my favourite drink. A hot, steaming, mug of tea.

  • Social anxiety

    Who are your favorite people to be around?

    The anxiety I often feel is hitting me pretty hard today so I am inclined to say nobody. But that is not true. I love being around my boyfriend because he is one person who fully accepts me as I am and I can say anything to him with no judgement. When I need him he’s there, even when I push him away, like I’m currently doing. I better stop writing this and go give him a hug.

  • Normal people (reread #5)

    People rave about this book and to be honest I don’t get it.

    I wouldn’t say it’s bad, but I wouldn’t go and tell the world and his wife that they need to read it. The difference in their social class and social standing is well observed, and following that shift as they grow up is interesting. And on some level I found myself relating to both characters for different reasons.

    I read it quickly but I wasn’t desperate to pick it up.

  • I have to pick just one???

    Tell us about your favorite pair of shoes, and where they’ve taken you.

    Gah, I love shoes. The film ‘In her Shoes’ made me realise how much I love shoes because they always look good. Even if I’ve put on weight I can still get into those shoes.

    I talked about how much i love my wellies in a previous post so I can’t choose them again can I?

    My hiking boots because I’ve been on so many nice walks with them.

  • The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock (reread #4)

    I read this when it first came out, I think in 2018. It’s written by an author who lives in Bristol, which is where I lived at the time.

    It’s like I can’t remember anything from that period because I don’t remember this book being so funny! It has sadness and grief which is intertwined with moments of incredible wit (mostly when discussing what went on in brothels in 18th century london) but I enjoyed it far more than I expected to.

    SPOILER ALERT:

    I was expecting a happy ending, then I feared a sad one, but then it ended happy which I was pleased about. I felt the main characters deserved a moment of happiness. The flip flopping between happy and sad may be a bit tedious but I liked it.

    As someone who has loved and cared for someone struggling from addiction I also felt there was a touch of relatability in that in a strange way. I hadn’t had that experience 6 years ago so I definitely didn’t pick up on it the first time. More evidence that reading books multiple times at different periods in your life is so beneficial, there’s always more to learn.

    A good, easy read that I would highly recommend.

  • Materialistic or philosophical

    Share one of the best gifts you’ve ever received.

    The greatest gift I ever received was the gift of life and love from my parents.

    Oh look out, there’s a philosophical w*nker about.

    No, the greatest gift I ever received were my wellies. I chose the ones I wanted, they have lasted throughout non stop wear for the last two years and my feet never get wet. Great gift.

  • Patriotic – expressing devotion and vigorous support for one’s country

    Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you?

    During the world cup, Wimbledon, the Olympics and other sporting events, sure, I’m patriotic.

    I cheer on team GB, England, or the UK side, expressing devotion and support to my country. But I had to Google the dictionary definition of patriotic just to check. The word vigorous was underlined in the definition which I would not describe myself as. I am not a vigorous supporter to the point of violence and I think this emphasis on vigour has possibly been introduced as the word patriotic takes on a more sinister meaning.

    If the question is do you like being a Brit, then yes. I like fish and chips, our sense of humour, walking the dog in the countryside and I believe every problem can be fixed with a cup of tea.

  • Yes, today!

    Have you ever unintentionally broken the law?

    I accidentally cut someone up on a roundabout. This isn’t an excuse but I was a bit stressed about something else and didn’t see the car coming. I don’t really enjoy driving and that just made me want to get home even more.

    If I had unlimited amounts of money I’d have a chauffeur.

    If I had a superpower it would be teleportation.

  • The Night Circus (reread #3)

    I remember this taking a while to get into when I read well over 5 years ago.

    But…I remembered it getting better and me being interested in the story. To be honest, I wasn’t really this time round. If it’s not already classified as YA it should be. It was a struggle to not DNF.

    Hey ho, on we go.