It's Still Life

I. Tuna casserole the way my mother used to make it — a thick layer of crushed crisps (potato chips) on the top, and baked until bubbles emerged along the edges. There were so many crisps on top that we used to call it Potato Chip Casserole. 

II. I have shared my life with several dogs, of all size and character, but Molly will be my last. I am forever thankful for the sixteen years she gave me.

III. Blood oranges: available again in the supermarkets. Actually, I’m grateful that oranges of any sort are back in shops again. Shortages of diesel and 95 petrol are impacting supply chains here. UK produce is mostly imported.

IV. Crows. Funny crows. Watchful crows. Thoughtful crows. Cranky crows. I adore them.

V. The bountiful energy and beauty of Beachy Head. My favourite place to go, to recharge, to blow the dust out of my head, and feel alive. Tuesday was a lovely, sunny spring day.

VI. Only an ingrate would not be thankful for this beauty. The first pink climbing rose of the summer. Photo taken with my 25-year old Lumix camera. Thankful that its battery still holds a charge.

VII. The ferns are at fiddlehead stage, one of the pretties points in a fern’s emergence in my opinion. Nature replicating spirals everywhere. Thankful for spring’s repeating patterns.

VIII. Thankful that more leaves are setting on the Apostle trees. Soon the branches will be heavily green.

IV. Homemade croutons made from a collection of old frozen sourdough bread: garlic; onion; salt; pepper — fried in butter. Almost nothing is wasted in this household.

X. Thankful that my grandchildren can enjoy their own copy of ST(R)AY in Bogotá, Colombia.