It’s been seven years since my dad died, and I wish I had better words to express how incomprehensible that still is. All those things you say when someone who was suffering has passed have slowly subsided. I remember him in the most inopportune moments, but there he is. The things I dig deep within… Continue reading why would I want to dwell on any of that?
Category: family
break bread like you mean it
This was taken when I was sitting across from my mom at the café across from the Durham Cathedral and the Durham Castle. I’ve been meaning to write more about the particulars of this trip. There was so much we saw and did. You’d be surprised how well Fafa gets around. The card that says,… Continue reading break bread like you mean it
Untitled
Pay attention to things written on walls, ok? Good news! Fafa has arrived in Engaland. She’s sitting here with me now. Here is mi madre: I took an overnight coach from Victoria Station to Manchester Airport and fetched her. They were working on the tracks, so rather than a train, we had to take a… Continue reading Untitled
going home (if there even is such a thing)
This might be a bit strange- this blogpost. Yes, I’m aware my writing can be odd on a semiregular basis, so this isn’t necessarily the most shocking opening gambit, but nevertheless…you’ve been warned. See, I want to ask one of those big questions that blogging really isn’t capable of tackling. This is a novel-sized theme.… Continue reading going home (if there even is such a thing)
Texas is for Lovers
In Notting Hill in London, there’s a shop, that’s been written about here before called the The Idler Academy of Philosophy Husbandry and Merriment, and I made the voyage to its doors. Upon arrival, I sat amongst the tomes and looked across the room to see the above. A man wearing a shirt that said ‘Texas… Continue reading Texas is for Lovers
enough abandonment
One of the first people I met when I moved to Germany was Dermot. Fantastic person and even better artist. He’s Irish of course. Have you ever met a Dermot who wasn’t? He is also a woodworker who specialises in lamps. The one above is rather beautiful, isn’t it? After the last few serious blogposts,… Continue reading enough abandonment
Five things to harass the Dying
Recently, I was handed a German article about five things one should or could say to the dying to help them in their journey to the afterlife. Never to pass up an opportunity to take the piss, I’ve decided to write my own list. Here are Five things to harass the dying: Remind them what… Continue reading Five things to harass the Dying
Happy Birthday Fafa
I’ve written plenty here about people who’re no longer with us. Luckily, this isn’t going to be one of those blogposts. This is the opposite. Someone who’s very much still with us. Martha. Mom. Oma. Church Lady. She’s been called many things…her brother couldn’t say Martha when he was little, so he called her Fafa.… Continue reading Happy Birthday Fafa
Bagpipes with a side of Salsa
While I was travelling, I had times when I was regularly posting things here (lots of family and galavanting) and on the teablog (tea shops in southern Spain) and on tumblr (when I really didn’t have time to write much), but there were also times when there was just ‘too much living goin’ on around.’… Continue reading Bagpipes with a side of Salsa
the worst name he could think of
Part of the pleasure of visiting family, if you can wade through the rage and resentment that tends to ensue, are the stories you hear (to be fair, there hasn’t been much rage or resentment, but there’s still a week left – it’s not too late). Recent stories (I live a long way away; there… Continue reading the worst name he could think of