“If you can’t afford it don’t buy it.” — As a youngster, I thought my parents were financially well off as we lived well. Rich we were not, we had enough to have a pleasant life. Everything we owned was paid for in cash, except the mortgage for the small farm my parents owned. Every month they paid the…

What are you grateful for today? — It’s Friday, 12th Augustus 2022. I’m grateful that I have fully recovered from my COVID-19 infection. For the last 2 weeks, I have been in self-isolation. Today, I am looking forward to leaving the confines of my apartment and being outside. I want to sense the wind playing on my…

Summer Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Shine!” — Mint Café Mocha— a lovely glow! A couple of years ago, I visited Torremolinos in Spain during late summer. The leaves started to change colour as Autumn was slowly approaching. I walked about 10 kilometers exploring the beach ecosystems. Knackered, I saw a bistro en route to my hotel. I plonked wearily, yet elated, down in…

Loneliness: It just doesn’t feel right, does it? — The sun sets in an orang-ey-pink ball, skyscraper horizon a hazy hue scrawl. Clouds; a misty curtain orange palette, urban lights flicker a cry-amber salute. My heart starts a thumping dance. Sitting alone on my small nest balcony hearing laughter and chatter agony a rising fun cacophony of enjoyment urban nest lights flicker…

My favorite bread baking recipe using a cast iron pot. — I love crusty bread. My mom use to bake bread every morning. As a teenager, my treat for breakfast was a thick slice of crusty warm bread with butter. Oh, what yumminess! I learned a secret or two about baking bread from my mom. She baked her bread in a…

Weekly writing prompts from a Taste for Life: 10th August 2022. — Here is this coming weekend’s edition of writing prompts from A Taste for Life. Where will the prompts take you? I am curious to find out if it is going to be an article, a poem, or a fictional story. I find the quote below by Anne Frank inspirational. “I…

Don’t let your self-perceptions and insecurities wear you down. — The photo above of the hatching mythical Elwedritsche bird was the inspirational spark for the poem “Love Yourself.” Love Yourself: Hatching bird, scared chick, nasty world.. Wanna stay! Wanna stay! Ugly duckling, self-perception. Insecurity problem? Irresistible, You’re unique, Really? Am, I? Yeah, you are! Worthy of love! Love yourself. Accept yourself, then others will…

A South African side dish recipe made using green string beans, onions, and potatoes. — Mashed green beans are served as a side dish with main meals or Sunday roast, with rice, roast potatoes, and a side salad. It is an easy dish to prepare and tastes good. My mom always kept an extra portion or two for me for the next day. I loved…