Much time has passed since my last post. But did much happen? Depends how you define 'much'. Sometimes being is doing, and doing is not necessarily being.
Philosophy and world views aside, here's something a little more concrete: The dog has grown up and passed her exam in October. Her trainer said Umbria did very well, scoring in the top category. Dogpa and I glowed with pride and happiness, the closest we'd ever come to parenthood. Or ever will, I'm guessing.
The Lab is staying with us for her final holidays before she begins work in January. Her trainer is on the lookout for a sight-impaired person who will suit her: affectionate, does not have too routine a life, likes the outdoors and long walks.
Today I received an email letter from someone at the British Council who told me one of my stories, "Grandma's Horny", has been included in the council's booklet 'City of Shared Stories - Kuala Lumpur'. It is not the most popular story I published on their website (that one was 'A Friend She Did Not Have to See') but guess it was chosen because it sounds real and is slightly humorous and heart-warming without being sentimental.
As for cooking and baking, I'm slowly increasing my repertoire, including (red) velvet cake, sticky toffee pudding (pictured at right), Spitzbuben (window jam cookies) and pork-n-apple pie. On a cold evening, seafood spaghetti is a favourite we keep coming back to every fortnight or so.
The next thing I'm going to try is onion pie. Mmm, looking forward to it this week.
One last thing: my reading diet. Since April last year, I have read at least ten books. The memorable ones are Master of St Petersburg by J.M. Coetzee, City of Falling Angels by John Berendt and The Turning by Tim Winton.
