Memories

The sense of smell can unlock a forgotten memory, but the sense of taste evokes a chain of events that can bring an emotional remembrance of people past, stories long ago brought back in a flash.  And that was how my friend unknowingly touched the corners of my soul.

Welsh Rarebit

A cold miserable night in London, creeping downstairs whilst everyone was asleep, in the basement kitchen, my father and I made Welsh Rarebit together and bonded as fathers and daughters do.  He taught me about Lancashire cheese, mixed with mustard and egg yolk, spread on toast and grilled.  I have been fatherless for more years than I can remember, but in a instant I was back in that miserably cold kitchen filled with love, fun and adventure. With a dash of Worcestershire sauce, and a huge amount of advice on how to conduct myself like a lady, Lynda brought those exquisite memories back with one bite.

 Long long ago, a friend whose sole purpose, it seemed, was to connect my partner and I together, never got to see our union, our babies or our undying love for each other for she ended her life tragically.  A burden she carried, the culture she upheld led her to her decision.  On difficult days, my mind wonders to what would have been.  On days like today, the taste of Benedict Mints tells me she hovers around, making sure I stay strong for she loved these Mints.  At 18 trying to be mature with a sip of expresso and a bite of Benedicts captured a certain elegance I was trying to portray; she taught me grace. Lynda’s magic brought a touch of my friend back momentarily.

flapjacks to die for

Living the country life in the Cheshire planes, raising my children on sausage and chips and homemade plum jam; my Georgian house overlooked the cows grazing in the distant.   The kitchen allowed me to perfect my cooking skills and throughout those child-rearing years, I had my bribery drawer for good behavior.  This drawer was filled with English biscuits, toffee, fudge and my prized Flapjacks.  For those not in the know, Flapjacks are a sweet tray-baked oat bar made from rolled oats, butter, brown sugar and Lyle’s golden syrup. A pot of tea with a flapjack was the pick-me-up after running around with three children under 8.  Lynda’s Thomas J. Fudge chocolate covered flap jack snaps a moment in time of how I longed for these kids to grow up; now that they are; the flapjacks are like a magic-wand taking me back to laughing, giggling kids in their PJ’s ready for bed.

How did she know about Lewis & Rose’s hand made Orange & Burnt Almond chocolates – they were my mother’s favorite.  In one sweep of her magical fingers, Lynda enveloped those people that shaped me from my parents to my children, to the angel that hovers over me. 

A chance meeting in a local hair dresser was all it took, my South African friend.

Cheers!