This day, 23 years later, will never be the same

For the first time in 23 years, I celebrate The Husband's birthday without him. He didn't "do" birthdays. I did. That photograph, I took of him in 2016 and used it for the invitation to celebrate his 70th birthday. Seven years ago. Exactly a month ago, on 5 June, I said goodbye to him forever. … Continue reading This day, 23 years later, will never be the same

Musings on Mothers, Motherhood and Choices

It's Mothers' Day today.  Growing up, Mothers' Day was not a thing.  I do, though, remember sermons about Mothering Sunday.  Until I went to boarding school where peer group pressure made me pay attention and "do the right thing".  My mother's response was less than enthusiastic which, with hindsight, I still don't understand.  Was I … Continue reading Musings on Mothers, Motherhood and Choices

The soundtrack to my life – a kind of musical “back story”

An opening word - or three I wrote this post as an experiment in November 2018 in response to a challenge:  pick one favourite song.  For me, that is a virtually impossible task.  I have favourites depending on my mood, what I'm hearing, the context, where I am... I delighted in rising to that challenge … Continue reading The soundtrack to my life – a kind of musical “back story”

Sandwich Memories

It seems I've written quite a bit about sandwiches over the years.  They were the subject of one of my earliest (and surviving) blog posts. Given that a sandwich is food - a filling - wrapped up - or between two slices of some sort of bread - I really have. Quite something given that … Continue reading Sandwich Memories

Of licenses, liars and scrambled eggs

She came into the kitchen, clearly distressed, and asked, "Do you vear licenses?" pointing at her eyes. "Umm....ye-e-s..." "So could I pliz have some of zat liqvid to clean mine?" Then the penny dropped.  Lenses.  Contact lenses.  I had taken a flyer and thought that our Ukranian house guest was talking about prescription spectacles.  This … Continue reading Of licenses, liars and scrambled eggs

Halloween: memories from the past, and not-too-distant past

When I grew up, Halloween wasn't a thing. And it was. In the 1970s, Halloween didn't feature on the South African calendar. Somehow, though, it was always mentioned in our house. By my father. It had been a thing in his childhood and he'd talk of the night the spirits fly. He believed in things … Continue reading Halloween: memories from the past, and not-too-distant past

Marvelous Malva

I can't remember the first time I ate this dessert.  It's one of our favourites - when I "do" dessert.  I don't often.  I don't have a sweet tooth.  I am was not much of a baker.  My chef friend and market pal reckons mine are among the best she's tasted.  I brimmed with pride … Continue reading Marvelous Malva

Sunday Suppers: A season past?

Around May 2017, around the time, my regular blogs became increasingly sparse, as one chapter in my life ended, and others began.  One of these was Sunday Suppers @ The Sandbag House. Two years later we were still doing it. Menus went out weekly to a WhatsApp group and via various social media and e-news … Continue reading Sunday Suppers: A season past?

Not killing mother

In December 1999, I spent my last Christmas with my father.  Three days earlier, we'd bade my mother a final farewell.  As I've probably said before, her death was a shock.  Six weeks prior, she'd had surgery.  By all accounts, it was successful although the procedure meant a protracted stay in hospital.  Cleared of nasties, … Continue reading Not killing mother

I changed my mind. I got the jab

Foreword Health is a personal matter until it’s a matter of public health. Like when the world is in the grips of a pandemic as it is now. I would not normally (I don’t think) share the sordid details of my illnesses. I qualify that because I suffer, happily, from rude health. The rationale for … Continue reading I changed my mind. I got the jab