WHILE I’m no expert on nutrition, it’s fairly safe to say that if your breakfast consists of a bowl of non-sugary, fibre-rich cereal and a mug of tea or coffee (also non-sugary) it’s probably better for your physical health than a Full English/Welsh fry-up complete with black pudding and a slice of fried bread.
Anyone hungry?
But what can you do for your mental health, first thing in the morning, to prepare you for the day ahead?
Well folks, I’ve conducted an experiment on behalf of my loyal readers . . . and those who are sometimes disloyal.
That’s you, Mrs Betty Evans of Fishguard Harbour!
Every day last week I watched the breakfast news shows on BBC One, ITV One, Sky News and GB News, switching between them from time to time, between six and eight am.
I’d have watched for longer, but two hours of misery, doom, gloom and Andi Peters in some exotic resort, urging viewers to spend ‘just two quid plus your network charge’ to enter a ‘phone in competition with a prize of £20 million (or was it £20,000) for five mornings was more than enough.
My conclusion?
If you want to start the day in a cheerful, positive state of mind, don’t watch breakfast news.
As Del Boy says, “You know it makes sense!”
If you must know what’s happening in the world, just take in the headlines and switch off!
I was recently talking to a gentleman in his 80s who revealed that if they’re not going out, he and his wife watch news channels all day long!
Yikes!
When I asked why they didn’t occasionally listen to music or plays on the radio, read, or watch the free film channels (Talking Pictures TV would suit them perfectly) he just shrugged and said they’d never think of it.
Then he said, without irony, “Every day is Groundhog Day. One day is no different to another!”
There’s a lesson there for all of us.
To maintain a positive outlook whatever age you are, limit your TV news viewing.
Now, then . . .
Who’s for a fry-up?

AH, perception! It’s that delightful little quirk of human nature that can make us feel like we’re living in two different worlds at once.
How we see ourselves and how others perceive us can be as different as cats and dogs, both lovable, but let’s face it, they have very different vibes!
I’ve wrestled with this concept over the years, and I’m sure many of you can relate.
It’s like looking in the mirror and seeing a rock star, only to step outside and realise you’ve accidentally channeled a disheveled raccoon instead.
Not quite the same, right?
This isn’t a new phenomenon.
History has shown us that communication often breaks down when we fail to consider everyone’s point of view.
Society has conditioned us to have opinions, often leading to spirited debates that can lack a sprinkle of empathy, a dash of compassion, and a generous helping of good old-fashioned manners.
Just take a stroll through any town or city, and you might witness a “Road Rage” performance that rivals Shakespearean drama, complete with honking horns and hand gestures that would make a sailor blush!
One of my loyal social media followers from a faraway land once wrote to me, “I often read your columns. I think what you write about is valid everywhere. You see life with open eyes = inspiration.”
Now, let me tell you, seeing myself as “inspiring” was a revelation!
I always thought my goal was to add a splash of colour and a few chuckles to your day, not to be the next motivational speaker!
So, here’s the lesson learned: our self-perception can be wildly different from how others see us.
And that’s OK! Embrace the quirks, the misunderstandings, and the occasional raccoon moments.
After all, life is too short not to laugh at ourselves and appreciate the colourful tapestry of perspectives that make us all wonderfully unique!

Some TV channels repeat programmes and films several times over a period, before replacing them with a different batch for a further few weeks . . . and so on and so forth.
For example, Sky Arts, ‘repeatedly repeats’ episodes of “Tales Of The Unexpected”, which was a staple of Saturday night telly on ITV from1979 to 1988.
Incidentally, I always thought the show’s title was a bit of a misnomer, because in seven out of 10 cases, the eventual fate (the ‘twist in the tale’) of the unfaithful husband or wife (the central characters in many episodes) was entirely predictable from the first five minutes.
They were perhaps better described as ‘Tales Of The Just As You Expected”.
Anyway, about a month ago, every time I tuned in (do people still ‘tune in’?) to Sky Arts, the same episode of ‘Tales’ was on that I’d briefly glanced at a few days previously . . . and it was always at the exact same point in the story I’d seen on the previous occasions.
Then, every time I tuned in to Film Four, I was confronted by the exact same scene in the musical “Oliver!”, in which Nancy (Shani Wallis) sings “It’s A Fine Life!”
I’ve seen “Oliver!” many times over the years and the fact it won six Oscars in 1969 speaks for its quality.
However . . .
When you land on the same scene four times and hear the same lyrics four times over a short period, you become aware “It’s A Fine Life” contain one of the worst lines in the history of musicals!
Despite the original show’s composer Lionel Bart being a genius, he obviously had difficulty finding a rhyme for ‘Fagin’. As ‘Menachem Begin’ wouldn’t really have worked, Lionel came up with . . .
“Though diseased rats threaten to bring the plague in”!
It’s horrendous, even though Shani Wallis belts it out with such gusto, as the customers of her tavern cheerfully join in the chorus.
If Lionel was writing it today, the line might be . . .
“Though this pub doesn’t serve any grub that’s vegan!”
You’re right. I won’t give up my day job.

As we emerge from the winter hibernation that felt longer than a Netflix binge-watch session, it’s safe to say we’re all longing for better weather!
The days of grey skies and chilly winds are behind us (we hope), and we’re ready to embrace the warmth of the sun, the chirping of birds, and those glorious longer evenings that make us feel like we’re living in a postcard.
Let’s face it: there’s something magical about sunshine.
It’s like nature’s way of giving us a warm Cwtsh and saying, “Hey, get outside and enjoy life!”
Those bright evenings are perfect for everything from picnics in the park to spontaneous barbecues that turn into epic dance parties (just try not to trip over the cool box!).
And who doesn’t love the idea of sipping a refreshing drink while watching the sunset, feeling like the main character in a feel-good film?
But it’s not just about fun in the sun; the benefits of spending time outdoors are backed by science!
Studies show that exposure to sunlight boosts our mood and increases our vitamin D levels, which is essential for our mental well-being.
So, while we’re out there soaking up the rays, we’re also giving our spirits a much-needed lift. It’s like a natural anti-depressant, minus the side effects!
So, let’s shake off those winter blues and embrace the great outdoors!
Dust off those picnic blankets, grab your favorite snacks, and gather your friends for some much-needed vitamin D therapy. Whether it’s a leisurely stroll, a game of frisbee, or simply lounging in the sun, let’s make the most of these longer, brighter evenings to come.
Here’s to better weather and the joy it brings, because life is too short to stay cooped up indoors!
Let’s get out there and enjoy every sunbeam! Thank me later!

Horror films are more popular than ever, in the cinema and on streaming services where they’re accessible to youngsters who shouldn’t be viewing them.
I’m not being judgmental. If they were suitable for all ages, they’d have ‘U’ certificates.
Children also play violent Xbox games that are rated for players aged 18 and over.
The main news at 6 and 10 and the 24-hour rolling news channels relentlessly present viewers of all ages with graphic accounts of the terrible things going on here and around the world – sometimes accompanied by graphic images.
I could go on.
And I will.
Given that there’s so much visceral ‘stuff’ around to assault our senses and potentially cause anxiety for many of us . . . is there really anyone left in Great Britain who genuinely needs to be given a trigger warning about a Royal Shakespeare Company stage production of Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tale “The Red Shoes”?
If you’re unfamiliar with the story (written, I would remind you, for children) it has a gruesome ending.
As do many episodes of “Eastenders”.
And I was once inconsolable after watching the final minutes of “Tipping Point”.
But for their recent adaptation of Anderson’s 1845 tale at Stratford-Upon-Avon’s Swan Theatre, the RSC put out a truly ridiculous trigger warning to potential audiences.
Apart from mentioning that the show contained stage blood, which means it’s not real, the RSC warned “This production contains loud music; haze; flashing lights; derogatory language; cruelty and grief.”
Hang about! That sounds exactly like the last pantomime I saw!
Cinderella’s Stepsisters treated her cruelly, said terrible things about her and made her cry. I don’t remember seeing trigger warnings about that on the posters or “This production contains old jokes; buckets of water; and one of Adele’s miserable songs”.
A couple of days after reading about the RSC’s over-sensitive audience warning, my blood pressure returned to normal.
Then, I read that the recent London production of “The Pirates Of Penzance” warned that . . . you won’t believe this . . . “A pirate occasionally waves a pistol around!”
So, I had to watch “Terrifier 3” to bring my blood pressure down again . .

In a world where we can order anything with a click, it’s easy to forget the power of supporting our local community and businesses.
But let’s take a moment to appreciate why shopping local is not just a feel-good trend, it’s a superhero move for our environment, economy, health, and overall well-being!
First off, let’s talk about the environment.
When you buy local, you’re cutting down on those pesky carbon emissions from transporting goods across the globe. It’s like giving Mother Nature a high-five!
Plus, local businesses often prioritise sustainable practices, so your purchases are more likely to come from eco-friendly sources. Who knew that buying a loaf of bread could help save the planet?
Now, onto the economy!
Supporting local businesses keeps money circulating within our community, creating jobs and boosting the local economy.
It’s like a financial boomerang, what you spend comes back around to benefit your neighbours. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to see their favourite coffee shop thrive instead of being replaced by yet another chain store?
But it’s not just about pounds and pence; it’s about health and well-being, too!
Local businesses often provide fresh, locally-sourced food, which means you’re not just feeding your belly but also supporting your health.
Eating fresh produce is like giving your body a Cwtsh from the inside!
Plus, shopping local fosters a sense of community, reducing feelings of isolation. You might even make a new friend while picking out the perfect avocado!
So, let’s rally together and support our local businesses!
It’s a win-win for the environment, economy, and our health.
Plus, you’ll have a great excuse to chat with your neighbor while picking up that artisanal cheese.
Remember, when you support local, you’re not just shopping, you’re being a superhero for your community! And who doesn’t want to wear a cape while doing their grocery shopping?

After last week’s article about Spike Milligan appeared, a friend (call him Vince) phoned to tell me how a 1997 meeting with Spike got off to a bad start.
Vince was on the team making a talk show at Teddington TV Studios and, one week, Spike was a guest.
He was brought to the studios by car from his home in Rye, Sussex, a two-hour journey if there were no delays on the M25. But there were. So, when Spike arrived, he wasn’t in the best of moods.
Vince had been asked to ‘look after’ Spike until the director was ready for his rehearsal and (as Vince had been a huge fan of Spike since he’d first heard the Goon Show as a youngster) he was thrilled at the prospect of spending time with his comedy hero, while also nervous, aware of Spike’s reputation for not suffering fools gladly.
When the producer brought Vince into the room where Spike was sat, looking none-too-happy, Spike looked up at Vince and asked the producer, “Who’s this idiot?”
Oh dear!
Vince’s heart sank. He’d worked with many entertainers but had never met anyone so blunt! The producer introduced Spike to Vince, then immediately left to do whatever it is producers do.
Vince sat next to Spike and there was an awkward silence for a couple of minutes. Vince felt he had to say something, so asked Spike about a film he’d made in the 1970s that seemed to have vanished.
Spike immediately perked up, surprised Vince had heard about this obscure film and seemed eager to talk about it.
When he discovered Vince was a writer, he asked him how his career was going.
Vince said things were okay, but he’d had some tough years. Putting a hand on his shoulder, Spike said, “When you’re a writer, every year is tough . . . because you have to write!”
They talked for the best part of two hours and Vince said it was, after that shaky start, one of the most memorable days of his life.
Proving it’s not necessarily true that you should never meet your heroes!

Ah, rude people! They’re like those pesky mosquitoes buzzing around on a hot summer day, just waiting to ruin your mood.
You know the type: they can turn a perfectly good day into a chaotic circus faster than you can say “please and thank you.” But before you let their rudeness get under your skin, let’s take a moment to appreciate the power of kindness.
Being kind is like sprinkling a little bit of magic wherever you go. It’s like wearing a superhero cape that instantly makes people smile and feel good. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to be a superhero? Plus, kindness is a secret power that can transform the world, one small gesture at a time.
Imagine a world where everyone is kind and considerate. It would be like living in a giant bubble of positivity and good vibes, where people hold doors open for each other and say “please” and “thank you” like it’s their favorite song!
Picture it: a world full of laughter, love, and countless awkward but heartwarming moments. You’d see strangers sharing smiles, and maybe even a few spontaneous dance-offs in the street. Who wouldn’t want that?
So, the next time you encounter a rude person, remember that their rudeness is no match for your kindness. Spread that kindness like confetti at a parade, and watch as the world becomes a brighter, funnier place. After all, life is too short to let rude people rain on your parade.
Let’s choose kindness and create a world that’s worth celebrating! Because in the end, it’s the little acts of kindness that make life a delightful circus, minus the rude clowns!

It’s hard to believe he’s been gone that long, but the great Spike Milligan died 23 years ago this very week – on February 27th 2002.
I still smile whenever I recall he referred to himself as ‘Spike Milligna . . . the well-known spelling error!’
It’s no secret he had mental health problems over many decades, possibly rooted in his wartime experiences and exacerbated by the intense pressure he was under between 1951 and 1960 to deliver (and then perform in) up to 30 Goon Show radio scripts in as many weeks.
He wasn’t content to just ‘churn out’ these scripts, or indeed the ones he created for his ‘Q’ TV series he made from 1969 to the 1980s.  Spike devoted as much effort into creating laugh-inducing lines and situations as Bill Shakespeare put into his sonnets.
To create Goon Show scripts week after week, six months each year, he worked diligently so they were always ready for what are now regarded by comedy historians as legendary Sunday night recordings at the BBC’s Paris studios in Lower Regent Street.
Having established himself as one of our leading humourists on radio, TV, film and in print, the pressure to ‘be constantly funny’ was even greater. With the various physical ailments he had in his later years, it’s remarkable that he reached the age of 83.
Although it’s impossible to choose from the phenomenal amount of material Spike created during his lifetime – here’s a couple . . .
In the 1960s, he and Peter Sellers both obsessively took hours of home movies of their families. Peter owned a ‘posh’ 16mm camera, while Spike owned an 8mm camera. “Peter”, said Spike, “Is 8mm richer than me!”
On a talk show, he related the occasion he was walking past a funeral director’s ‘emporium’ in Shepherd’s Bush and suddenly decided to lie down on the pavement outside and shout “Shop!”
No other comedian, past or present, could have instantly thought of such a brilliantly daft idea and have the nerve to carry it out purely to amuse himself and a few passers-by.
We can still watch your DVDs and read your books, but we miss you, Spike.

Ah, Mother Nature, she certainly has a cheeky sense of humour, especially when it comes to the weather in Wales!
As the rain pours down like it’s auditioning for a role in a dramatic film, it’s easy to feel a bit soggy. But fear not, my fellow Welsh warriors! There’s always a silver lining lurking behind those rainclouds, just waiting to be discovered.
Yes, we might find ourselves reaching for our umbrellas more often than a toddler reaches for sweets, but let’s take a moment to appreciate the lush green landscapes that make Wales so breathtakingly beautiful. That rain? It’s the secret sauce that keeps our hills and valleys looking like they just stepped out of a postcard, splashing vibrant colours everywhere!
Now, you might be wondering about our mood and wellbeing in all this wetness?
Well, it turns out that rainy days might just be doing us a favour! They provide the perfect excuse to slow down and indulge in some cozy indoor activities. Think about it: curling up with a good book, binge-watching our favourite TV shows, or sipping a warm cup of tea while pretending we’re not in a monsoon outside. The rain practically invites us to embrace the comforts of home like a warm Cwtsh!
And here’s a fun fact: studies have shown that the sound of rain can soothe our minds, reducing stress and promoting relaxation. So, while the rain may be drumming on your roof, it’s also creating a perfect soundtrack for your own little oasis of calm amidst the chaos.
Let’s not forget the camaraderie that rainy days bring! Who hasn’t shared a laugh while huddling under a bus shelter or sprinting through the streets, united in our quest to stay dry? Those moments of solidarity spark conversations and create shared memories that we’ll chuckle about for years to come.
So, my lovely people, let’s embrace the wet weather with open arms and big smiles! After all, there’s nothing a little rain can’t wash away, except maybe our worries. And remember, when life hands you rain, grab your wellies and dance in the puddles!
Who knew I could find such a sunny side to this wet and chilly time of year? Let’s keep those spirits high, rain or shine!