The beautiful city of Melbourne is home to over four million people. It’s the ‘youngest’ of all the world cities. It is hard to imagine that this sprawling capital of Victoria, Australia’s second largest city, did not exist 180 years ago. In 1835, John Batman, an Australian grazier and entrepreneur from Van Diemen’s land…Continue reading Those Fascinating Melbourne Lanes
Those Wonderful Irish: Reflections on Irish Poetry
Hearts are not to be had as a gift, hearts are to be earned. William Butler Yeats Three years ago we visited Ireland. I fell in love. In love with a countryside so spectacular it takes your breath away. In love with the people whose melodic, lilting accents had me so fascinated that I stared at…Continue reading Those Wonderful Irish: Reflections on Irish Poetry
The Wisdom of Elders
Elderberry Soup with Semolina Dumplings! Just the thought makes my mouth water and evokes childhood memories and nostalgia. This was a staple dessert during Elderberry season, whilst we lived in Germany. Elderberry picking was a compulsory past-time and my grandmothers would process this precious purple berry for both culinary and medicinal purposes. No one complained…Continue reading The Wisdom of Elders
Addicted to a Different Type of Speed
If someone asked me how I spent the last 25 years, I would have to say, “In a hurry.” That is not a statement I am really proud of. In fact, it is one of the things I deeply regret about the last two decades. My husband and I were married in 1986 and very…Continue reading Addicted to a Different Type of Speed
In the Name of God: Reflections on Bullying and Religion
Bullying: the use of force, threat, or coercion to abuse, intimidate, or dominate others. If you are anything like me, you have experienced your fair share of bullying, especially through those ‘delightful’ school years. In the middle of my first grade in Germany, they discovered I had severe astigmatism, and I became the proud owner…Continue reading In the Name of God: Reflections on Bullying and Religion
Teisha’s Story: A Life Interrupted
I met Teisha in 2012. It does not take long to recognise that behind this kind, funny and intelligent woman also lies incredible strength. There is no doubt that part of this strength was fashioned because she had to face some major curve balls that life threw at her. Teisha was just twenty-two and on…Continue reading Teisha’s Story: A Life Interrupted
The Wonder of Mint
“As for the garden of mint, the very smell of it alone recovers and refreshes our spirits.” Pliny I have been overseas and arrived home just in the ideal time to pick and dry the mint I have growing everywhere in my garden. In Spring, the leaves are bursting with vitality and goodness. Mint is…Continue reading The Wonder of Mint
Victims of War: The Wolf Children of East Prussia
“The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them that they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for the lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country.” Hermann Goering, Nuremberg Diaries…Continue reading Victims of War: The Wolf Children of East Prussia
From Russia with love
It is better to have dreamed a thousand dreams that never were, than never to have dreamed at all. – Alexander Pushkin The love of poetry runs in my family. My father knows endless renditions of beautiful German poetry, especially that of Goethe and Schiller. Travelling through Russia reminded me of the gifted poets that…Continue reading From Russia with love
The Magic of St Petersburg
It is somewhat difficult to find the right words to describe the city of St. Petersburg in Russia. I feel a bit like Alice, who was fortunate enough to tumble down an aviatic rabbit hole and land in this magical place. A city of over 5 million people, rich in culture and history, it is hard…Continue reading The Magic of St Petersburg