Hallowe’en and teething has arrived at our house. Isla is just over 4 months. For her current trick, she grabs both her cheeks a la The Scream. Makes me laugh and cry all at once. Neil/Daddy carved a penguin for the monkey/pumpkin. It looked like this: We like books and penguins. And Penguin Books. We carved because we love. And this is Isla: She was thoroughly impressed with her outfit. Honest.…
While visiting Dad and Anne for Dad’s birthday, I spotted a basket of Polaroids, kind of electric in the corner. ‘Oooh, photos!’ I said. Now. I have always known that nostalgia is an actual condition. I embrace it. I use the ache for old times to spur me on every day. My past helps me live in the present. I’ve been feeling particularly nostalgic recently, more than the sparks that happen all the time, anyway. Sitting there on Monday morning,…
I know I’m jumping ahead a bit here, but we had a guest on our honeymoon. George Bailey-Penguin comes with us wherever we go. And our honeymoon, I learned, was no different. By the end of our week in Bruges, George was being recognised by waiters and bar staff, who asked us, ‘Does he go everywhere with you?’ Apparently so. Here’s George sampling some Belgian beer, so we didn’t have have to. But we did anyway. Smiske Extra. Westmalle and…
A dear friend just sent me this list of The 50 Most Romantic Things That Ever Happened. Because, y’know, stuff like that makes me melt, these days. Anyway, Sarge walked in as I was scrolling through. ‘I’m going to leave the room while you look at these,’ I said. When I returned, Sarge said, ‘I’d build you a ramp for those 6,000 stairs. And then I’d push you up the ramp. Just so people would know we’re together, you understand.’…
For Christmas, Dad bought me a copy of The Ultimate Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook. Because that’s the kinda guy he is. I think it was a joint present. ‘You can skip the bits on dating and breaking up. I have, however, highlighted the section on BABIES!’ he said. Since then, the book has sat on our actual coffee table, used as a handy reference guide/random writing prompter. On Friday, I found the book open to this not-so-random page (73): A…
