Author Archives: Sherri Matthews

About Sherri Matthews

Once upon a time, Sherri emigrated from her native England to America and stayed for twenty years, raising her three children in California. Today, she lives in England's West Country with her family, shepherded by two little black cats. Always home, forever homesick.

London Calling

Posted on June 10, 2016 by Sherri Matthews

What is it with London this year? It beckons for several reasons, a memoir workshop being one. I promised an update on the course, but first I would like to thank so much those who have continued to ‘stick’ with … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogging, Memoir | Tagged London, Memoir, Memoir Workshop, thank you, The Annual Blogger's Bash 2016 & ABBA Awards, Windows 10, writing | 74 Comments

Window On A Train

Posted on May 18, 2016 by Sherri Matthews

I gaze through the train window looking for my fox, but so far, it is nowhere to be seen. I put down my book, wanting only to soak up the beauty of the English countryside as it zooms past my … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Memoirs, Nature & Wildlife | Tagged English Countryside, Escape, Fathers & Daughters, fear, Fox, Memoir, Memoir Writing, Nature & Wildlife, Rapeseed Fields, Red Fox, Train Journey, travel | 125 Comments

Memoir Loneliness And Tony Soprano

Posted on April 15, 2016 by Sherri Matthews

Sitting with my mother in the hospital a few weeks ago, an elderly man shuffled into the small waiting room and flopped down into a chair. ‘Three children, eight grandchildren and I never see them…’ he sighed, catching my eye. … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir | Tagged City Lit, Family Life, Friendship, Human Nature, loneliness, Memoir, Memoir Workshop, NHS, Psychology, The Elderly, The Sopranos, Tony Soprano, writing | 152 Comments

Missing Blogging

Posted on March 21, 2016 by Sherri Matthews

Dear friends, Eight days ago, my dear Mum suffered a stroke, an awful shock. My boys (and Eldest Son’s Lovely Girlfriend) were home with us for the weekend to celebrate a belated Mother’s Day, hubby’s birthday and our tenth wedding … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogging, Family Life | Tagged Blogging Hiatus, Family Life | 137 Comments

The Voice Of Asperger’s Syndrome

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Sherri Matthews

I look at the photographs of the five-year old girl with the scarf tied around her shoulders like a cape and tears slide down my face. In some, she holds a paint brush and looks down intently at her growing … Continue reading →

Posted in Asperger's Syndrome | Tagged Anxiety, ASD, Asperger's Syndrome, Autism, Carly's Kitchen, Carrot Ranch, cats, Flash Fiction Competition, Iris Grace, National Autistic Society, Service Dogs, Seventh Voice, Therapy Cats, Voice | 125 Comments

Laundry: Women’s Work?

Posted on February 26, 2016 by Sherri Matthews

Robots are taking over the world. Well, maybe not completely, but they are doing a good job of it, according to a newspaper article I read recently. There are robots in bars in Japan serving cocktails (I wonder if they … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood Memories, Family Memoirs, Times Past Challenge | Tagged Beatrix Potter, Childhood memories, Family Life, Grandmothers, Ironing, Laundry, Memoir, Robots, Times Past Challenge, Women's Work | 133 Comments

Write Dance Believe

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Sherri Matthews

Before I dared to call myself a writer, before I could ever imagine seeing even a single word of mine in print, before I knew what a blog was, I read this: ‘When your life’s seasons, assignments or relationships change, … Continue reading →

Posted in Flash Fiction, My California, Nature & Wildlife, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged 3 Day 3 Quotes Challenge, 99 Word Flash Fiction, California, English Countryside, English Robin, Friendship, Garden Challenge, Inspiration, Nature & Wildlife, Seasons, Weekly Photo Challenge | 120 Comments

The Power Of Surprise

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Sherri Matthews

In early summer of 2001, Eldest Son gave me a fabric CD holder inscribed with the name of his high school and date of his graduation. Ideal for holding CDs for my car, when I opened it, I noticed there … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, Flash Fiction, My California, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged 99 Word Flash Fiction, California, Family Life, Family Memoirs, Health, love, music, Power, Time, Walking, Weekly Photo Challenge | 109 Comments

Times Past Challenge: Chinese Spoons And Eating Out

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Sherri Matthews

Dressed to impress in my purple and white midi dress my mother had made for me and patent leather, navy-blue sling back shoes with block heels, I walked into the dimly lit Chinese restaurant, mesmerised by the brightly coloured lanterns … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, Family Memoirs, Times Past Challenge | Tagged 1970s, Baby Boomers, Berni Inn, Brighton, British Pubs, Chinese Food, Chinese Spoons, Family Life, Family Memoirs, Ipswich, Memoir, Times Past Challenge | 113 Comments

Blogging And The Three Year Rule

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Sherri Matthews

Dear Blogger, How are you? It’s been a while since you and I had a proper talk, and this seems like the perfect time. I saw you walk around the park a few times last week; that’s good news, you … Continue reading →