Following trip to Manhattan in March the Special One arrived home with great CDs and LPs of (by Irish standards) obscure blues & big band collections; can’t wait to play! Leadbelly with Woody Guthrie & Sonny Terry. James Cotton. Great titles - I want a good man bad!(Lil Green).

Tough days this week. Fall at home; could have been worse; led to immobility and resulting hospital admission yesterday. With help of physio today recovered some strength and walking capacity. But things moving swifter than I like. Great support from HSE & related including GHF

Christy Moore has released 'Music to our Ears', a spoken word tribute to President Michael D. Higgins written by Johnny Broderick and produced by Gavin Murphy youtube.com/watch?v=bGIlXD…

Be nothing. Life then becomes extraordinarily simple and beautiful.

The selfie of the year❤️

Discharged from GUH this evening after 7 nights. Pain under control. Bloods sorted for now (1 transfusion). Gorgeous evening but I’ve wilted and so hitting the sack early. Mobility and strength somewhat improved but not where I’d like them to be. Emphasis now on quality of life.

I’m blessed with a wonderful daughter who has been huge support this week and managed various medical visits today with appropriate questions and notes of answers. And all with good humour! And empathy with medics doing their jobs. And leads me sometimes into interesting insights

If you carry one thing with you today, let it be this: You are brave, You are beautiful, You are strong, You are smart, You are loved.

15 Hard Truths of Psychology and Life: 1.

Visit today from a young old friend! Great to catch up; it had been a while. A gentleman to the core and well travelled. I feel a slight sadness as we part but also a lift in spirits as I reflect on his life and work which is very definitely in the realm of public good.

A visit today from two dear friends who provided invaluable assistance over last couple of years. Also hit some pain today; not sure why. Hopefully will sleep well tonight as steroids are stepped down - +/- effects.

The world is winning the war on cancer economist.com/leaders/2025/0…

Fear will cease only when you face ‘what is’.

Thrilled to be joining Irish Arts Center this fall as a part of their new season! Tickets are on sale to the public today—learn more about my perfromance and reserve here > irishartscenter.org/event/an-eveni…

2nd night in GHF; not sure if life is catching up with me. Mobility seriously hindered. Having some serious conversations. I feel better than I am.

The great challenge

I wish…….

Busy schedule today in GHF. Firstly, met business friend to review “must sort soon” issues. Then daughter reviewing some logistical and practical issues around home “or not” - as usual she is questioning & analytical. Then the All Ireland; one of my brothers joins me. Good chat.

Heading for 10th night in GHF. Great care. Thankfully virtually no pain- not clear why; maybe less physical exertion. Mobility still poor although able to move around in wheelchair. Strength in thighs poorer; need help for even minor elevations. Very dependent. Don’t like it……

Spoke too soon. Bad pain last night; nerve pains, due I think to change in medication- why do some docs feel the need to change what’s worked for years? Anyway nurse Lorraine (saint!) sorted it out - and made the bed so comfy - and I eventually got some sleep.