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"She seemed to come suddenly upon happiness as if she had surprised a butterfly in the Winter woods"
(edith wharton)


Tuesday 30 March 2010

a simple day


this morning, I called my friend Avis to say hello
'what's news?' she asked as she always does... we got chatting about my home and she asked me if I would like to go round for lunch ~ I took her a basket of eggs... Avis is in her 70's and is Jewish. I love to talk to her.. she has a rather different outlook on life than i do. we talk about all manner of things.. from my spiritual beliefs to hers.. about her childhood and how she is like a snail and wears her home on her back, never really feeling at home in any one country. she tells me of her life in England as a Nanny and how she is actually related to Jack the Ripper. an interesting lady for sure!

as we talked today, she gathered the makings of lunch. tomatoes, avocado, spring onions from her garden, leg ham, mustard & cucumbers.. all placed on a simple white plate. oat and honey bread. and rock melon for after. a pot of tea and she was done.

out onto her verandah and we sat with her husband Bill, enjoying a sandwich, a cup of tea and a good chat. all the important things in life.
[at Avis & Bill's home, the kettle is always on, there is always a home-made cake. a shoulder to cry on, an understanding ear to listen and comfort when you are feeling down. they are what my grandma called 'salt of the earth' people... so if you are ever in the vicinity of their home.. please do pop in, they love visitors, people are always calling past for a chat and a cup of tea and visitors are always welcome!]

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wonderful photo of your friend Avis. Looks like one of those ads for a well-spent day with a much-deserved cup of tea. An "ahhh' moment.Many of life's little mysteries, trials and tribulations have been solved over a cuppa.Many a giggle too!x

Marisa said...

Simple times with a good friend are the best.

mxtodis123 said...

Those quiet days with good friends are the best, aren't they? Love the menu. Now I am hungry. Glad you were able to get out.
Mary

Anonymous said...

Your friends Avis and Bill sound wonderful. People like that seem hard to come by nowadays. We had neighbors like that (door always open, stop by for a glass of sweet tea) until the husband passed away. We miss them terribly.
I am so glad you had a nice relaxing afternoon ~ and lunch sounded delicious!
Hugs:)

Janet said...

Avis sounds delightful....the kind of woman I'd like to have as a friend. When you wrote about her always having the kettle on and welcoming drop-in guests it made me think of my grandma. She was just like that.

Searching For My Willoughby said...

You are so blessed to have such a friend. She sounds like a very, very special person.

Diva Kreszl said...

Avis sounds like a very good neighbor and friend to have! so glad you ahd such a delightful lunch with such very fine folks :)

Fire Byrd said...

No -one knew who Jack the Ripper was. H was rumoured to be a prince of the realm, but he was never caught.
So maybe she knows something the police ever found!
xx

laoi gaul~williams said...

Avis~a really wonderful name :)
it sounds like a perfect visit :)

Serena Lewis said...

They sound like lovely, friendly and welcoming people!

It's second nature for me to pop the kettle on when we have visitors come through the door...nothing like a chat in a friendly atmosphere with a nice, hot cuppa....a snack is good too. I notice though that a lot of the young adults of today always say no to a hot cuppa because the weather is too hot. I LOVE my hot cuppas no matter what time of year it is.

linda may said...

She sounds wonderful.