The bittersweet stuff of life

Yesterday, we had no electricity for 14 hours. They said it would be 12, starting at 6am. Nobody believed them because last time, having gone off as the clock struck six, it came back on at 9.15pm. I planned a day that that coped with my being entirely powerless. I arranged an in-person meeting and did some advanced market preparation and sorting. I washed and labelled the year's first batch of marmalade. More of that, tomorrow.

Then, because to do an excel spreadsheet, one needs more than just power, I read my book. And almost dozed off. I had slept very badly. Partly worrying about a potentially very hot day and powerless fridges packed not just with our food, but market stock. Also because...I'll come back to this.

That lovely sunny day turned into a wonderful balmy autumn evening. We had been invited to a late afternoon-into-the-evening gathering, and which I usually decline in favour because of work and when my brain works. This, however, was one invitation which I wasn't going to decline. Despite the current (ha!) situation.

The location: Bemind, the home of McGregor's garagiste wines. Under a glorious full moon, it was a bittersweet birthday celebration and farewell to longtime McGregor swallow. It was also a brilliant end to a long day of no power. Local musicians' plans were thwarted so they reverted to brass, drums and the tambourine.

Then, they persuaded the birthday boy to take up the sax. That hasn't happened for four years. He, and a merry bunch used to do at least a gig a visit. Covid killed that. In more ways than one. Could it happen again? We hope so. When this Swiss swallow returns again.

Then, the other reason I had not slept well, I referred to in yesterday's post. D remains gravely ill. We are still waiting for test results and the news is worryingly sparse, and what little has reached us is not of the no-news-is-good-news variety. We continue sending healing thoughts to her. Her loved ones are constantly in our thoughts.

Haste ye - both - back.

Post script: I am trying to participate in @traciyork's April #HiveBloPoMo. I emphasise trying because RL - and my day job - have been so busy over the last while that I've not known which way to turn. That shouldn't stop you - or anyone. Read about how to participate here.

This is Day 6

Until next time, be well
Fiona
The Sandbag House
McGregor, South Africa

Photo: Selma
Post script

If this post might seem familiar, it's because I'm doing two things:

• re-vamping old recipes. As I do this, I am adding them in a file format that you can download and print. If you download recipes, buy me a coffee. Or better yet, a glass of wine....?
• and "re-capturing" nearly two years' worth of posts.

I blog to the Hive blockchain using a number of decentralised appplications.

• From Wordpress, I use the Exxp Wordpress plugin. If this rocks your socks, click here or on on the image below to sign up.

• Join Hive using this link and then join us in the Silver Bloggers' community.

Original artwork: @artywink

• lastly, graphics are created using partly my own photographs, images available freely available on @hive.blog and Canva.