8e3ab3f2-adb8-4332-ac46-b4623d52aeb9 “It’s raining,”. A momentary irritation crosses my soul. The dog, for whom we are currently out here, won’t walk now that little drops of water are falling from the grey skies. “No, let’s push on,” I say. “Let’s just see how far we can go. But it’s almost as if she knew how the … More Is there freedom in widowhood?
I have a secret- I’m holding back something. It’s not because I don’t want you to know. It’s because somehow if I blurt it out it will be a little too real. Or that I’m seeking attention. If you ask me the right questions, I’ll tell you the truth. You have a secret. I think … More February news.
Another January passes us by where I sit at home on medical recovery. It’s not a coincidence- it’s indeed planned to take this time in the quieter months of the industry. The first time was in 2020, struggling with horrid pain all the way up my arm at night times. A previous referral to a … More January 2024.
One of the downsides to being home on medical recoup is that my ability to tumble down social media rabbit holes has increased. Up until this week, I have been somewhat cautious with the mundane day-to-day chores I perform. My claim to not be able to wield a vacuum cleaner lasted a week, but I … More February
Sigh. It was never going to be the Perfect duPlessis Holiday without something rather drastic and expensive happening. Look. If you take a brief look at our history, you’ll know what I mean. It’s 2009. Anton, Alex and I drive to Cape Town for a long weekend for hubby to participate in the Two Oceans … More The End Of Holiday Blues
Warning: infinitesimal rant ahead. Wednesday night, or more specifically , Thursday morning. It’s 1:30 and I have just climbed into my bed. Nope, I’ve not been up watching tv, neither have I been out kuiering/jolling/dancing/dining with my maatjies. Instead I have washed off the smell of tarte flambée that has embedded itself into my skin, … More Has The Blood Moon and Lunar Eclipse Unbalanced Me?
For the last 7 or 8 months, I’ve participated in a virtual writing group, which I came across on Instagram (there is some benefit to that rather charged space). I joined while I was still on on my paid ‘sabbatical’ (what else do you call it?), which let me admit, has made the creative writing … More The Oculus
Midsummer tomorrow, and with the rain finally falling softly on this midsummers eve evening, I feel like we’re in a pretty content space of chilled-ness. Spring- in all of its late coldness finally brought forth the bushels of elderflower from which I made various batches of cordial. On top of that, I discovered the concept … More June Musings and Scribblings on The Gram
Dearest friends and family I do hope that this finds you well. Between the vast Covid related concerns that invade our daily news, the notion that we haven’t neither seen each other nor even corresponded with each other much ease. Never mind being able to have a coffee together or feel your arms around me, … More Newsletter, March and April. ICYMI.
If there is one exciting occurence to have finally risen from the ashes of this year, it would be the happy news that the new Netherby Farm dairy is finally up and running. After breaking ground last October, with months of inactivity due to Covid, they finally went live in the new dairy a month … More Stories from the Farm
Have you ever wondered what life would be like in another country? Meet expat, Gaenor du Plessis from KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, currently living … Life in Strasbourg, France with Gaenor Hey hey, just a little post-script; I’m sharing this blog post which is an interview I did with a fellow South African lady living … More Life in Strasbourg, France with Gaenor
My Mom used to make a soup for dinner, way back in the days when we were kids. It was tomato and barley with bacon chopped into it, and I absolutely loved it. But she made it so seldom that I never had a chance to ask her about it. Barley wasn’t prevalent in our … More Recipe: Beef, Bacon and Barley Casserole
Whoop-whoop, I’ve found a reason to enjoy February!! This is pretty exciting news because normally I hate February, with it’s deep end-of-winter cold, the complete absence of any colour whatsoever and mostly because nothing ever happens in this very mediocre of months. The trees are grey, it looks as if their skinny new branches are … More March 2019, the end of another winter.
I pick up my wine glass and take a long draw of the ice cold summer rose that I poured out minutes before. In the background my iPod is beating out something loud and somewhat inappropriate, but I shrugged it off- my music taste was never ever going to be as tame as my … More High Summer. A short story.
As you are pretty much aware, I love myself a whole lot of Facebook (and Instagram). I spend an inordinate amount of time scrolling through my social media feeds: while waiting for the bus; while having my cup of coffee; while watching tv; while waiting for my baking timer to buzz; while reading boring books. … More 5 Years
Just in case you were wondering, it’s May. Again. Generally I love May. It’s actually a pretty awesome month. There are loads of public holidays. The flowers are so beautiful. It heralds the start of summer up here. The days are long, the rosé is sweet, it’s Mothers Day Sunday which means gifts and I … More Mother’s Day May
Hello my darling angel friends, I am having a truly lazy day. It’s very much a me day, and I suspect that by the time I go to bed tonight, I may be slightly discomfited by the fact that I have achieved nothing. Nah, scratch that thought. I may very well have thrown our PC … More January 2018
Hello from the bus stop on Blvd d’Anver! I’m standing here waiting for the 2 Bus shivering in my soaked Vans look-alike shoes, my pink umbrella dripping and my khaki trench-coat a variety of motley browns highlighting where the drenching rain has fallen on me. While it sucks to be wet, I am grateful for … More Friday morning and a need a cuppa
Hello my dear friendies, I am not going to lie to you, today I am in a rotten, rotten mood. Something set it off, and I am currently feeling quite overwhelmed with a feeling of dread. What set I off? Is it to do with the fact that tomorrow is would be Moms 65th birthday, … More And Daily Saving Adjustment
There is an English association here in Strasbourg that hosts an English short story writing competition. As you can imagine, I decided to enter, and this year my entry was strongly influenced by events of the last year. I wrote the piece in one session, and I thought it was credible enough to warrant a … More … and the Short Story
Pinot, Bretzels, and Cathedrals 