Shell keeps a tight friend circle. I can count the number of people she keeps in contact with on one hand that is missing a few fingers.
Wenche is one of these friends.
Shell met Wenche in Malaysia. Wenche was working in the Humanities department for the high school where Shell taught primary.
I also like Wenche, she does not mince her words and is capable of deep, thought-provoking conversation. If you go back far enough in this blog, there is mention of the various conversations Wenche and I would have while I was studying in the library.
Wenche challenges opinions and ideas, which makes her fun to be around.
“Why is it,” he said, one time, at the subway entrance, “I feel I’ve known you so many years?”
Ray Bradbury
“Because I like you,” she said, “and I don’t want anything from you.”
We caught up with Wenche and Graeme when first arrived. It was Graeme who got us to Dubai with an Assistant principal’s job and the school he is head of. We had not seen Wenche since.
Today was one of those rare days that Shell would be social. We caught up with Wenche for a coffee and spent an hour or so in a bookshop. For the first time in history, I did not come away with a book.
It was great to see her, she has not changed and that is perfect.
She gave us a quince to cook. I will poach it tomorrow in the leftover chianti.
Dinner was last night’s buffalo ragù with polenta. I prefer to use the term ragù over casserole, but it is really a casserole.
We opened a white and a red.
“I’ve never been lonely. I like myself. I’m the best form of entertainment I have. Let’s drink more wine!”
Charles Bukowski
Bed early.
I finished Keep The Aspidistra Flying and started Coming Up for Air.
I am also reading Letters from a Stoic, by Seneca.
Socialising is taxing.
2022 Casal Garcia Vinho Verde (Minho, Portugal)
When you are on to a good thing… see last week’s notes.
2021 Leonardo DaVinci Chianti (Chianti, Italy)
I doubt DaVinci had anything to do with this wine and I wonder what he would think about the commercialization of his name. He is dead, so it doesn’t really matter. Easy to drink and that is what counts.
