I’ve been home for twelve days now, and my trip to South Africa already feels like a dream. It was a dream! Every little thing was perfect. When we arrived at the Johannesburg airport, the gentleman who was escorting us to the tiny airport that housed all the little bush planes said to me hopefully […]
Archives for 2026
I’ve Been To London To Look At The Queen
June 22, 2026 by 63 Comments
And by Queen, I mean the much-loved late QEII, in deference to my much-loved late Grandma Fern, who hated Camilla Parker-Bowles with the fire of a thousand suns. Not That Kind of Weed I am happy to report that, after seven solid mornings of work, I have finally got the weed situation under control. In […]
Five For Friday: The Packing List Edition
June 19, 2026 by 54 Comments
What I Packed. As always, my husband and I took carryon luggage only for our almost-three-week trip to London and South Africa. I also had a large shoulder bag in which I stashed my smaller crossbody bag, and he took a backpack. Everywhere we went, the luggage porter would look at us and say That’s […]
Out of (South) Africa
June 15, 2026 by 74 Comments
Fly High Free Bird On Saturday night at about 8:30, my husband and I arrived home from South Africa after a solid forty-five hours in transit, which included five flights, a jeep ride to an airstrip in Phinda forest, an epic seven hour stopover in London Heathrow, and, less dramatic but very nice, a half-hour […]
Maitri, Loving Kindness
May 25, 2026 by
I try to incorporate maitri, or loving-kindness, into every aspect of my life, but I specifically do a maitri meditation a few times a week. This involves repeating the following four times: May you be safe, may you be happy, may you be healthy, may you live with ease. Each time the mantra is repeated, […]
Nicole’s Favourite Things: The Mine, His, Ours Edition
May 21, 2026 by
Our houseguests have gone home and it occurred to me, not for the first time, that our friendship is rare, in the world of Couple Friends: all four of us get along, as they say, like a house on fire. Not only that, but our kids all get along. Our older kids were born on […]
The Sand Mandalas of Everyday Life
May 18, 2026 by
Ever since he retired, my husband accompanies me to Costco almost every time I go. It’s like a standing, extremely non-sexy day date. We keep the magic alive, what can I say. Follow me for more marriage advice! It IS nice to have the company, and to also have a witness to the absolute chaos […]
