Portfolio Category: Lifestyle
The Weaponry of Middle-earth
Middle-earth was not a peaceful place; from the First-Age warfare between Morgoth and the Elves, and their Edain allies, to the War of the Ring at the end of the Third Age, armed conflict formed the constant background of its people’s existence — and while there were also numerous minor wars and disputes, the overarching […]
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Summer Games 2021
So, I’ve finally come up with a summer reading theme: Seeing as both the Olympic Games and the European Football (Soccer) Championship have been pushed back to this year from 2020 due to the pandemic (and 3 of the four tennis Grand Slam tournaments are also set while it’s summer in the Northern Hemisphere), I […]
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An Alphabet of My Likes and Dislikes
This project is based on a very similar series of blog posts that I saw in BeetleyPete‘s blog and liked so much that I decided I’ll have a go at it, too — not least because it may also serve as an introduction to those of you who haven’t been following me for a long […]
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24 Festive Tasks 2020
Books: Festive Branch Tasks: Ornaments Door 1: Winter Solstice Book: Read a book that takes place in December, with ice or snow on the cover, where all events take place in a single day or night, that revolves around the solstice, set in Persia / Iran, China or the American Southwest or […]
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24 Festive Tasks 2019
The Markers: Books: Candles Tasks: Stars The Squares DOOR 1: DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS Book: Ngaio Marsh: Death and the Dancing Footman (audio version, read by James Saxon) Task 1: Miss Marple limerick. Task 2: Chili con carne. Task 3: Epitaph for The Disappearing Spoon. Task 4: Gaby in Mexico (& Guatemala). Points: 5 […]
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24 Festive Tasks 2018
The Markers Books: Meteor Tasks: Bows The Squares DOOR 1: DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS Book: Agatha Christie: Miss Marple – The Complete Short Stories (audio version, narrated by Joan Hickson, Isla Blair and Anna Massey) Task 1: Task 2: Favorite Epitaph (William Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon) Task 3: Sherlock Holmes Altar Task 4: Mexican Food Points: 4 DOOR 2: GUY FAWKES NIGHT Book: Georgette […]
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16 Festive Tasks
The Markers: Stack of Books: Books read Red Bows and Ribbons: Other Tasks completed Joker cards used: The Squares, Books and Other Tasks: Square 1: November 1st: All Saints Day / Día de los Muertos & Calan Gaeaf Book themes for Día de Muertos and All Saint’s Day: A book that […]
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12 Festive Tasks
Snow Globes: Reads Bells: Activities Task the First: The Winter Wonderland: – Read a book that is set in a snowy place. => Dylan Thomas: A Child’s Christmas in Wales – If you are lucky enough to live in a snowy place, or even if you aren’t, take a walk outside and post a […]
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Beyond the 100th Meridian
Introduction When I was not even four years old, a new branch of my family inserted themselves into my life: my aunt, uncle, and cousins, recently returned from El Paso, TX, where my uncle, who was with the military, had spent one of the multiple, several-year-long stints at Fort Bliss that were spread throughout his […]
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The Gourmet Corner
On the last night of the cooking class offered by Cornell Hotel School to non-Hotel School students, with my Argentinian friend and classmate Victoria (winter 1998). An Alphabet of My Likes and Dislikes Likes A – Asian Food C – Citrus Fruits D – Diet Coke E – Earthenware K – Kitchen Counters M – […]
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The Cat’s Whiskers
Friendly Felines: Past and Present They’ve been my babies since November 2018 (both 15 months old then): Twin brothers / litter mates Sunny (left) and Charlie (right). He was named Horst at the shelter, but I soon rechristened him Teddy. Alas, we were destined to be together for less than a year (June 2017 […]
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