It’s all in the name.  Growing up, I thought ‘Patricia’ was such an old-fashioned name and one only used in reprimand – by mother or teacher.  (I did quite enjoy learning about the ‘Patricians’ and the ‘Plebs’ in Latin, though!)  Suffice to say, it was always abbreviated and, to many, I was ‘Trish-Trash’ – affectionate rather than derogatory, I assumed.  Anyway …

Those familiar with my posts may already know my story and the reason I started writing; I think it deserves the use of one of my favourite words, ‘organic’.  An avid reader from the age of six, words were the key to another world; I loved books and wrote a diary through most of my formative years, always aware of the importance of the past and memories – who doesn’t want to know if I made it to breakfast or skipped all my lectures on 16th March, 1978?

Time stands still for no man and, before I knew it, the children were grown up, our beloved Wilbur was no longer with us and … my husband of 28 years was exposed as a liar and a cheat.  Just another day in paradise.  Ironically, my late father, Pop, suggested that we have ‘Fight The Good Fight” as one of the hymns at our wedding!  Hindsight is a great thing.  So, too, is the fact that one is oblivious to what lies ahead …

‘Strength lies in disaster’.  Isn’t that a well-known saying?  I always thought so.  Regardless, it actually does apply to me.  ‘A woman in her fifties with no skills’ – my advocate’s description, on first meeting, for legal reasons, of course!  Many years on, I have discovered my strengths, lots of old friends – and new ones – and my passion for writing.  Encouraged by my children to impart my wisdom in a blog (still no idea), a facebook account was opened with a select group of friends and so began ‘Trish-Trash.com’.  A platform for anything and everything, my childhood nickname was, and is perfect.  Posting infrequently, at first, I quickly learnt how therapeutic it was venting my opinion on life and everyday issues, touching on my incessant legal wranglings; the highs and lows – and the realisation of what is truly important.

I was so excited to discover that anybody was reading my posts let alone liked them!  From little acorns, though, large oak trees grow …  I think I have even developed a style: well, I scribble notes on topics which delight, or enrage me, daily – mostly the latter – and then sit down with my laptop and start talking!  Seriously therapeutic for me – and perhaps, too, for the reader who is reminded that there is humour to be found in all things.  My pièce de résistance?  I always close with a quote and, whether thought-provoking or funny, sometimes I feel the only thing missing is a pulpit …

In the early days, I used to sign off with ‘Nobody forced you to read it!’.  True but, for those new to ‘Trish-Trash.com’, please do.  In the words of my friend, Tom – that’s Cruise not Odell, in this case – in one of my favourite films, Jerry Maguire, ‘We live in a cynical world.  A cynical world.’ and a little escapism goes such a long way …