'Tis the season

BLOG POST  #2

            It’s that time of year, again, holiday festivities are soon coming to a close. Only a couple few days left to transform normally sane humans into raving shopping maniacs.(for that Boxing week sale thing). The beginning of the holidays are consumed with trying to find the right gift for that someone special. Then there’s the holiday dinner,

            What’s with this turkey thing anyway? I know, I know, It’s tradition and has been for centuries (if you believe that Dickens fellow).

            We cook an inappropriately large bird for one dinner, then, in a concerted and dedicated effort, we join family members in trying to get rid of the heaps of turkey leftovers

To my  liking, a nice crown roast of lamb would be just as appropriate or?… ..how about a prime rib roast?  Not that I have anything against poultry. My tastes would see Old Tom hit the hit the highway in favour of other selections The best part of the entire turkey dinner in my opinion, is the dressing, cranberry sauce and gravy, all of which can be had without our famous winged friend.

          Am I alone in this??

                                                                   

            

          Those of you who know me will appreciate that I’m speaking as the foodie in me, No matter how you “slice” it, I’m addicted to epicurean delights, even though my roots are found in very homey, simple, back-to-the-land places.

           However, I’ve always been like that, I can walk into a vehicle showroom  or exclusive designer dress shop (I must tell you  that story some time) and, just like a magnet, I’m drawn to the most expensive one… (This, even as a child).  My cookbook collection takes up a good portion of our kitchen and, thanks to a generous friend, includes Julia Child’s first cookbook. Foodie magazines can be found almost anywhere you look in the house, even the guest room .Just in case a fellow gourmand stays over. And, the television is permanently tuned to the food network.

          I wonder now how much back paddling I’ll be doing after this post. I just hope I haven’t offended any one, except, of course ole Tom.  
Stay healthy and safe!
Sandra

the demon does not get to win

                Here I sit, AGAIN, eyes glued to the computer monitor, as if, in some miraculous manner, I will have an epiphany of sorts. My right hand, rather index finger reaches for the keyboard… my “rock star” friend has gotten me interested in writing a blog. I’m intrigued with the idea (that of getting back into writing again, some thing I did professionally for more than 15 years. The friend I speak of is no more a real rock star than I am. But, to me she is. Anna is the only friend/ acquaintance who’s been a constant and faithful visitor since June 2009 when a severe stroke claimed the left side of my body hence the one-handed (tight typing) It could have been worse. Much, much worse.

                I treasure Anna’s visits; she brings an actual ray of sunshine into my life. She’s from the Caribbean,  and her accent takes me right back to Barbados  my husband’s  and my vacation island of choice, more of Barbados in another entry – the place we hope to move to one day.

               Things seem much better when Anna’s here. She also takes me back to the days I was a vibrant, independent young woman – not the one who waits for the nurse to come or expects this computer to one-day free her.

                I’m making it sound like I have no life, someone who’s given up hope of resurrecting that former self… In fact, that woman will never again be back, in her totality, there are some fundamental parts of my former self that have been lost to the stroke (that little demon) and that I may never recover. The physical aspect, I have decided I will get back 200%. I’m told my sense of humour is better now; I hope I don’t lose that. My dad says I have inherited his British stubbornness ( I like to all it determination),which he likely wasn’t so keen on as I was growing up, but which he’s probably very proud of me now, considering progress I’ve made since June 2009.

               My husband, too, gives me much hope and joy I call him the other half of my heart. He’s been a constant, joyous part of my life since we met 34 years ago. He’s shown me bravery and strength, having not only survived, but thrived, following three bladder cancer surgeries and two lung cancer surgeries. I can barely imagine my life before I met him.
Stay healthy and safe!

Sandra

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