I’M not prone to writing to your goodselves on a regular basis, but today felt compelled to do so after reading Angela Kelly’s comments regarding muttering (September 29).

I think she is spot on. Last year I was lucky enough to get early retirement and, given that my dear wife is still working (for now), I’m spending a lot of time in my own company, and enjoying it, and find myself muttering, or talking to myself as I would prefer to call it.

Many a time I’ve asked the question “Now where did I put my pen?”

when it’s been firmly stuck between my teeth! And taking the question “Now why have I come in here?”

one step further, I’ve been half way up the stairs and asked myself “Now what am I going up here for?”

— continued to the top, still couldn't remember, so have gone back down only to reach the bottom step and then mutter “Oh, that’s what I was going for.” And then started to mutter things that couldn't be printed in your paper! So I’m glad that research suggests that it is good for you — I thought I was losing my marbles. Perhaps that starts when you begin arguing with yourself — and lose!

Cliff Foster Horwich