Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Magnificent Clash of Cultures

Posted on October 31, 2020 by

“Miss Judy, will you come on Thursday to share our bread and salt, as we say?” “Oh, thank you for the invitation.  I would love to come.  But bread and salt are all I will share, because in the evening … Continue reading →

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GRRRRRR!

Posted on September 30, 2020 by

Whatever is this world coming to?  I looked again at the document.  “I can’t sign this,” I said.  No punctuation marks.  A relative clause so far from its parent verb that it wasn’t even a distant cousin.  A spellcheck-reliant secretary … Continue reading →

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The True Planet Savers

Posted on August 31, 2020 by

  The Ping that started it all. Do you ever hear an incidental passing comment that suddenly goes ping!  in your brain but you don’t know why?  And you have to pursue it even if it leads nowhere?  This happened to … Continue reading →

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Sandwich Stories

Posted on July 31, 2020 by

The Earl of Sandwich.  John Montagu’s cribbage addiction has given, what the Wall Street Journal states, is “Britain’s biggest contribution to gastronomy”, which is a bit harsh, but probably true.  The Earl of Sandwich (in Kent, by the River Stour … Continue reading →

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Mary

Posted on June 30, 2020 by

Panic.  “Oh no, here I go again!” I said  as the heart pounded, fear gnawed my insides, hands perspired, and brain locked rigidly into Danger mode.  Logic and clear thinking would now be suffocated by the black cloud of confusion … Continue reading →

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Busted Cover

Posted on May 29, 2020 by

  Shame, they say, hates being shared. Once shared it can’t survive. Shame loves secrecy.  A few years ago I, a closet non-gardener, stupidly infiltrated a herb garden workshop hoping for cooking ideas. The situation turned itchily uncomfortable early on. … Continue reading →

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Our Dog the Drama Queen

Posted on April 30, 2020 by

Did you ever have a dog that feigned disability? We did. When growing up in India we had a cocker spaniel named Tuffy (because, my sister said, he was all black except for a white “tuff” at his throat.) Distemper … Continue reading →

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Nowruz!

Posted on March 31, 2020 by

Nowruz! The Amazing Zoroastrians Oh dear. We missed it –Persian New Year. Why, you ask, is that important to our culture here whose immediate worry is how to find hand gel, toilet paper, and tinned tomatoes in empty-shelved grocery shops, … Continue reading →

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An Age-free Community

Posted on February 29, 2020 by

A strange meeting  Although there was no one in sight in this vast empty 360- degree landscape, the footsteps were spookily audible. The air was clear, scented with wild herbs, a breath-taking change from Tehran’s pollution below. And silent! Blissfully … Continue reading →

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All of our operators are busy

Posted on January 31, 2020 by

All of our operators are busy right now…. (A telephone conversation I wish I could have.) Hello automated voice? I….yes I KNOW I’m 20th in line, you told me that 12 seconds ago. And I’ve heard about your website address. … Continue reading →

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