HODGEPODGE

1. What's worth standing in line for? 

I try to avoid standing in line, I hate that. If possible I buy tickets online. 

That's what I did when I visited the Buckingham palace, where a km long line of people stood or sat and I walked straight through to the entrance, where I had to sit down until the once which were inside got out and then we were let in. Wonderful system ! After the rather disappointing palace, I had a coffee in a special "Buckingham" cup and a delicious piece of cake. Then I wandered around in the park which was beautiful. 

2. Tell us about a favorite food related memory. 

Once I was in Paris to help a friend to set up her new apartment. Her mother then invited us to dinner at the most famous brasserie in Paris, dated from the end of the 19th century in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The Brasserie Lipp, with its superb Art Nouveau decor, is still a true star. This restaurant, adorned with large mirrors surrounded by ceramics painted with floral motifs, is also a favorite among the world of politics and literature. From Proust to Hemingway, countless celebrities have visited here, which surely explains why this establishment is known throughout the world. I had heard of it too, but that was it. To thank me that I had helped her daughter, she ordered for me a dish of sauerkraut with oysters ! I've never eaten sauerkraut with oysters, I didn't even know it existed. Honestly, I don't remember if it was good or not. In any case, the price must have been exorbitant !

3. What are some things you find particularly peaceful or calming?

Sitting at the beach watching and listening to the waves of the sea 

 

 4. Is there something you do now that gets you just as excited as it did when you were a child? 

Now nothing anymore, but until we were a family I was excited as I was when I was a child, and that was Christmas. 

5. To what degree are you in touch with friends from grade school? high school? college if you attended college? 

With only one from Germany we know each other since 1951, went to school in Germany and then in Brussels. All the others have disappeared, the last of my best friends was in April.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My son and family came for a short visit on their way back from France where they spent their holidays. 

 

Little mum with her two giants 

For the first time Toby and I had a nice conversation together, his parents were shopping. He asked me what I did do when I finished school, because he has only two years more and then school is finished, unless he wants to go to university then it's one year more. I told him the same what I had told my son, the most important thing is to love what he is doing, and have joy with his job and of course earn good money. He was satisfied with my answer and happy that I didn't insist on University. Fortunately his parents don't push him either. Now he thinks to go into his fathers steps which means working for publicity posters, and he told me that the last week of his summer holidays he wants to work in his father's studio. I found that a very good idea and of course approved. But as he is so young (14) I told him to take off a year and travel to see something of the world. When the parents can afford it I think it is a good idea, later he has to study, to work and earn money and is not so free like now. 

When they left, he hugged me a little more then usual !