Life Lately: Reflections on writing.

It's 5am in the morning. I can't sleep. I haven't blogged in over a year and with very good reason. My son is ill and we don't know why. The last 17 months have been a constant stream of doctors appointments and A&E trips for dehydration, repeat infections and seizures. He won't eat and he never really has. He's 'floppy' and moves in odd ways. He's alert, intelligent and into everything. A normal toddler in so many ways but there is something 'not right' with Rupert. I feel it in my gut. It consumes my every waking thought and often my dreams too.

The Apprentice by Tess Gerritsen

Cover of The Apprentice by Tess Gerritsen shown on a Kindle Paperwhite E reader. The cover shows the title and author alongside a geometric shape. To the left of the book cover is a title that reads 'review, The Apprentice by Tess Gerritsen, www.chatterfox.co.uk'

A year after the intense cat and mouse chase that culminated in the imprisonment of  Warren 'The Surgeon' Hoyt, Detective Jane Rizzoli finds herself facing a series of  murders that are uncomfortably familiar. With traits similar to the surgeons exactly what is Rizzoli dealing with- an admirer? a copy cat? or worse an Apprentice? The novel follows Rizzoli as she faces the trauma of the past and breaks down the demons that stand before her. Joined by the guarded and secretive Agent Gabriel Dean and introducing Maura Isles- can the team stop the Apprentice before they become fully qualified? 

Say Hello to Rupert Richard

Image of a woman dressed in a medical gown with a canula inserted into her hand holding a newborn baby boy that is wearing a hat and wrapped in a towel. There is a title to the left that reads 'Welcome Rupert Richard Mayfield, July 2022, www.chatterfox.co.uk

Welcome to the world Rupert Richard! You weren't the easiest baby to carry and you've certainly not been the easiest little one since being outside, though that's no fault of your own (more on that to follow). My first birth experience was quite traumatic- birthing a back to back baby that needed an episiotomy and forceps wasn't pleasant but despite my bad experience with Iris I was fully prepared to try a vaginal birth with Rupert but his positioning led to other plans and a C section was booked for a Tuesday when I was 39+4 but as we all know birthing babies rarely goes to plan...

Maternity Break

I'm currently away from the blog on a Maternity Break.


I will still be answering emails : katrina.acg@gmail.com 

I will still be active on Instagram @chatterfoxblog


I hope to return to my regular blogging schedule on Friday 3rd February 2023.


Thank you for supporting my blog in my absence. I look forward to sharing life as a family of four with you all soon.


Thank you,

Blog writers signature 'Katrina'

Living Arrows | Beach Baby

Image of a young girl in a leopard print dress and pink sunglasses sat burying her feet on a golden sandy beach. Behind her is the horizon, a clear blue sea and blue sky.

  'You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth' Khalil Gibran.

We've been a bit AWOL from the blog and Living Arrows for a while, mainly because I've been enduring the pregnancy from hell! It started with intense sickness, then immense pain that turned out to be gallstones (on the waiting list for surgery to remove my gallbladder) and there's been the ongoing endocrine/autoimmune issues that were going on before I was pregnant. I've been exhausted and ill and honestly hating it- it's been nothing like my pregnancy with Iris.

Tender Is The Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

Image of the front cover of the ebook version of Tender Is The Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica. The front cover is displayed on a Kindle Paperwhite which is laid on a dark blue background printed with bundles of herbs tied together. The front cover features the author's name and the book title alongside an image of a swirling red fabric that looks like a gush of blood. To the left is a title that reads 'Review, Tender is the flesh by Agustina Bazterrica, www.chatterfox.co.uk'

Excuse me whilst I collect my jaw up off the floor. Never ever has a book ending made me feel so utterly enraged, thoroughly deceived and unexpectedly shocked as this one has.
Imagine a world in which animal meat is no longer fit for human consumption. Where do we turn for our meat fix? I'll give you a clue-it's not plant based. Humans are bred for consumption. Raised like cattle with no rights. 

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