Jo Lister

Fickle fame fades away as I rise and go on my way

WELL, the time has come when I have to hang up my proverbial boots, lay down my pen, and call it a day.

Last updated 30 December 2009
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk

Special guide to being prepared

WITH just one day to go, things are getting serious.

Last updated 24 December 2009
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk

Getting to the root of festive tree trends

DECISIONS, decisions. The black one or the upside down one?

Last updated 10 December 2009
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk

Community spirit working together in hope and in harmony

TEARS were brought to my eyes this week as I ventured through the queues of traffic to reach Sainsbury’s in Cockermouth.

Last updated 3 December 2009
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk

A giver of life, but a terrible bringer of destruction

I KNOW that my normal brief for this column is to write something light-hearted, but after the events of the last few days there’s no way I can ignore writing about what is on everyone’s lips.

Last updated 26 November 2009
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk

A stage debut as the second glitter-sprinkler from the left

I KNEW it was ominous when he started singing a song about her.

Last updated 19 November 2009
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Obsessions with youth, beauty, death and vampires

I DON’T usually go to the cinema; in fact, I think the last film I went to see was Calendar Girls (or was it Finding Nemo?). You get the picture.

Last updated 12 November 2009
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk

Bring out the spooks and spirits!

WE ARE just beginning the season of end-of-year festivals; that strange mix of Pagan and Christian celebrations.

Last updated 29 October 2009
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A rose by any other name would smell as sweet

“WHAT’S in a name?” Shakespeare’s Juliet asked.

Last updated 22 October 2009
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A sad event, but then it’s back to busy village life

ANOTHER sad event this week: the last of our pets finally passed away.

Last updated 8 October 2009
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Memories of remarkable Aunty Alice and 24 books

A SIGNIFICANT part of my past went for ever this week.

Last updated 1 October 2009
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk

Child number four is going to be our eco-friendly offspring

REMEMBER that advertisement, some years ago now, for Allied Dunbar, where an older man goes looking for his razor in the bathroom cabinet, knocks down a pregnancy test from the top and storms into the kitchen to confront his daughters about being careful, only to be told by his wife that it is he and she who needed to be more careful?

Last updated 24 September 2009
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk