"Spring to Mind" - a Novel
A romp through the world of coaching, an exposé of life in the middle lane and a self help guide, rolled into one, Spring to Mind, is "one woman's quest for meaning in the Weetabix and the washing".
Zoë's sharp observations and self effacing humour combine to have you laughing and nodding in fervent agreement, as she relates the tedium and triumph of the ordinary.
Spring to Mind is also a challenge – to lighten up, to find the humour in the humdrum, to look within for the source of meaning.
Extracted from "Spring to Mind" © Zoë Copley 2010
"I knew in my heart that the clock was ticking and if I did not find an alternate (flexible) career I would indeed be working towards a fourth baby come Christmas.
And then wham! I met a Coach on a networking course. Ostensibly I was there to learn how to introduce myself to strangers and mention my firm in the opening gambit. What actually happened was that I discovered the answer. It all finally made sense.
Perhaps through coaching I could help people meet their potential, create new mindsets and find meaning and fulfilment in their lives. Maybe I could start bundling up those oversized knickers and maternity swimmers for Oxfam!”
.....
"I seem to have picked up a tummy bug while on holiday. This past few days I felt very nauseated as well. I checked my symptoms out online, as all good hypochondriacs now do, and I self diagnosed Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I have all the symptoms. I also have some for stomach ulcer and ovarian cancer.
So I saw the doctor today. He is about 19 and looks like a pin-up from a Boy Band – just a little old to be the next star of High School Musical. It was a very pleasant experience. We had a great chat about my colon and what might be the problem and I left armed with my little stool sample cup – and scooping spoon in the lid. Tommy liked the look of that and asked whether he could carry it home. I said (fearing long-winded questions, him dropping it in Sainsbury or me having to return, cap in hand, for another one if it rolled under the Number 328 bus) that it had to stay in the bag to keep it really clean. He showed me his hands and insisted they were really clean. Ironic, eh?
My research revealed that 50% of the population suffer from irritable bowels. My earlier letter concerning the suitability of bowel discussions now seems very censorious, indeed. Doctor Doe Eyes said that many of his patients see him for bowel problems, and the research suggested that, even so, bowel concerns are hugely under reported, obviously due to embarrassment. The way the receptionist looks at and refuses to touch the little sample pot when one is submitting the half-full receptacle for analysis, may also contribute to the concealment of this syndrome.
I discovered that the Gut Trust will issue sufferers with a card to entitle the holder to gain access to otherwise unavailable toilets, when one is out and about. Access all areas, big mess coming through! One can join the Gut Trust forum for IBS sufferers and sympathisers and sign a petition for more and better public loos."
("Spring to Mind" © Zoë Copley 2010)
Reviewed 17 May 2010 by Monique Blundell, Brisbane.
"The author intertwines a raft of emotions with the challenges of everyday living as a wife, mother and “career woman” in a very honest but extremely humorous manner. Despite the challenge of time myself, I couldn’t put this one down and read it in record time. I had "ah-ha" moments and roared with laughter. Thank you Zoe for sharing your experiences. I’ll be waiting with anticipation for your next book."
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