They whiskey was waiting, hidden in the shoe basket in the closet. A new, unopened bottle, waiting, just in case… The bottle of nice perfume from the tax-free shop stood at the very back of the low cabinet next to the bookcase; one had to get down on one’s knees and still reach far toContinue reading “Poor Teddy”
Category Archives: Writings
Coffee break, and break, and…
Richard did not believe me, when I described the coffee habits of Swedes. Oh, ye of little faith, always trust the natives! When I was Bureau Chief for a Venture Capital magazine out of Silicon Valley, one of our Board members was headed to Sweden to attend a conference on immaterial patent law. He hadContinue reading “Coffee break, and break, and…”
A beer in Alger
It’s the summer of 1973. After a long, hot day in a black Peugeot 403 from 1957, a cold beer felt earned. The main road from Ceuta to Alger meandered along stretches edging the Sahara, and sometimes disappeared under the wind-drifted sand. The scalding air in the car was not air-conditioned and we had alreadyContinue reading “A beer in Alger”
Giving notice
San Francisco, March 5 Dear Linda, This letter is to notify you that I have moved out of the apartment at 1426 9th Avenue, and therefore would like to have my name removed from the lease agreement as soon as possible. I was confident there would be no problem for you to re-write the leaseContinue reading “Giving notice”
The Day Dawned Bleak
The day dawned bleak and chill, a moving wall of grey light out of the north-east which, instead of dissolving into moisture, seemed to disintegrate into minute and venomous particles, like dust that, when Dilsey opened the door of the cabin and emerged, needled laterally into her flesh, precipitating not so much a moisture asContinue reading “The Day Dawned Bleak”
Damask napkin
He was sent to 1st grade with a napkin in his lunch box. It was of the finest damask. It was missing when he came home. Several days later, and after many inquiries, it showed up among the classroom’s painting rags; torn, worn and with permanent paint stains, red, in a fold close to theContinue reading “Damask napkin”
Damask napkin
He was sent to first grade with a cloth napkin in his lunch box. It was made of the finest damask weave. It was missing when he arrived home. Several days later and after many inquiries, it showed up among the class’ painting rags; torn, ripped and with a permanent paint stain, red, in aContinue reading “Damask napkin”
Witch time?
In the week before Easter, our Swedish witches fly on their broomsticks, usually with a coffee kettle made of copper and a black cat, to Blue Island to meet up & dance with the Devil. So, naturally, children dress up as witches and go from house to house – Trick or Treat style – andContinue reading “Witch time?”
Twentyone Rules to Live by
…that you may live long in the land… – Get a new toothbrush every three months – Water the indoor plants every Thursday – Clean house every Friday, or Party on Fridays and clean on Thursdays – Wind up the wall clocks every Sunday – Arrange the kitchen spices in alphabetical order – Polish theContinue reading “Twentyone Rules to Live by”