That is franglais, meaning my first post in a mixture of French
and English. A play on the French language teaching app Duolingo that initially used the phrase “mon premier vache” , my first cow, often in the initial version. Eight years later still using Duolingo, French is still a work in progress.
I think of my life as a work in progress, as a son, a husband, a father, a brother and a member of society. Mistakes are made, shit happens and hopefully I can do better next time.
Apparently this writing thing gets better with practice, so I will dive in.
I am aiming to share the news I have been sharing via WhatsApp for the last 18 months, with better integration of media and links to the text.
Thanks to Storm and the team at Crowded Igloo, who host this. It means I have a tidy url to send to each of you.
I am sure you are accustomed to the haphazard order I spill things out, so many things I would like to share, but no thought of the order.
So here and now sitting in the lounge pounding out this missive, grey outside listening to Mixfm. Specifically listening to Sean Brokensha (the Music Guru) A DJ who provided one of my best radio memories ever. We were driving to our Vaal river college on a Friday afternoon, listening to JCW on 702. The music Guru was an occasional slot that played songs, with the Guru explaining, the context and story behind each carefully chosen song. That afternoon he deconstructed Paul Simon’s and Ladysmith Black Mambazo Graceland album. I have been a fan ever since.
The original 007’s death came out before the show, and Sean played this version of in my life, I admire the Beatles for writing the song, but our favourite version is Bette Midler’s from for the boys.
Janet is sitting reading, I am counting our blessings, Janet being my chief blessing. We have a lovely “salon” a large lounge dining room area with a lot of windows and two balconies. The fact it would fit into one of the lounges we had in SA is now a joy. Outside looks like this now (actually no photos this week, Crowded Igloo stops me adding media, I will get this fixed)
Janet has four radiation sessions this week, then that part of the journey is finished. The cancer is hormone receptive, which is why no chemo was needed, this means the next step is hormone treatment. In short, accelerated menopause. Janet not looking forward to all that it implies, however it means the feedstock for the fucking evil cells is removed and if some dormant tosser wakes up it will die of hunger.
Cleo turned 21 on 14 October, but was in Germany for a two weeks doing some intensive learning. Learning to drink Jagermeister as well by the sounds of things. So we’re having a small family lunch, banquet actually by the time Janet had been through the Asian markets freezers. Covid regs mean no chance of a party with all her mates.
I think for at least the last 9 years her requested birthday meal has been Crispy Duck with Hoisin sauce. Cleo wanted to learn how to cook it for herself, so as it involves marinating, she and Stephen came to dinner of Friday. To make the marinade and prick the skin. Janet did roast lamb and roast potatoes (sweet and regular) a real Friday night treat. Tomorrow we will cook the duck, make pancakes on the crepe party. I found a magnum of JC Le Roux sparkling pinot noir in our cave. I thought it was 1999 vintage, Cleo’s birth year. Turns out it is a 1989, I have staff younger! Hopefully it is good as we drink to Cleo’s birthday and Janet’s last week of radiation.
The security setting stopping me from posting photos is irritating me, so will finish up with last few snippets.
We walked down to our friends Tina place on the lakefront this morning, Janet had forgotten some knitting kit there from lunch on Thursday. Tina has breast cancer as well, went through a double mastectomy. A failed reconstruction meant a 6 hour operation, grafting skin from her back to make boobs. A tough road. She is on the mend, and had a supply of Blackcow vodka. Being the cheeky person I am, I asked for taste, so at 11.00 am this morning we were sipping on a half tot of vodka, yes it tastes creamy.
On Thursday Jan had an early session, so I took the day off to drive her up the hill. We bought a second hand laura star from someone in Avenches, we then walked through the Roman ruins, very well done. After a cold windy 90 minutes, we had a splendid fondue.
Until next time, à bientôt