| From: Margret (Original Message) | Sent: 30/08/2005 6:26 p.m. |
| Dear Sherrie The breadmaking farce was one whereby the family members who scrubbed and cleaned and rolled and punched the growing yeast mass should be paid out in dollars. I wish I could have seen it happen - to somebody else- because I was enjoying the false idea of making the bread by MYSELF when it became a chore for about 20 willing helpers. Yes, you would have enjoyed the bread: it was fantastic. It deserved a life after the smattering, battering, it received when it splattered in the warming oven. I am awaiting evidence through any one of the pxt phones that were 'clicking' away.  Mind you, the debacle will not be disclosed because Richard made all the kitchen workers put their hand up and swear that they would keep the Code Of Silence on the muerta. So, in coming to Upland, I would be more sensible to bring that DB for Roger, Brewer's Yeast for you and Mar-mite for Rangi. Your tributes to Dad were nice to read and it is satisfying that you have had a lot of visits to New Zealand to share in his life. No doubt you had his special porridge, a routine that started the preparation the night before and then the egg-beater smashing the oats till they were finer in texture. Love from the travellers-to-be Margret  sans apron, extinguishers, cleaning aids |
3 comments:
From: Sherrie Sent: 9/09/2005 4:34 a.m.
Dear Margret,
I confess, I'm not above sneaking a peek at the contraband picturephone evidence you alluded to; baking events are such a mystery to me anymore these days that I nearly need convincing that the legend of the exploding bread did in fact take place! Roger did show me some of the digital pics from his visit, and while reconnecting faces with names, I spied a hand here and there holding a golden hunk of your baking success. I didn't have time to see all of the pictures he took, but was so warmed by the number of family and friends who were there to show their love and respect for Hip and his family. The pictures he showed outside confirmed that the weather was indeed exceptional, and the Waitara coastline looked startlingly beautiful. In fact, the air was so clear and the colors and lighting so bright I remarked to him that he could make a calendar out of any grouping of them. It makes me long to go back again. But I will look forward to the 'north island ambassadors' coming to me in the meantime! Your trip with Richard is just around the corner, and we are of course getting excited, can't wait to catch up on all the news with you 'first hand,' and learn more of your travel plans, etc.
Here it has been ten days of Hurricane Katrina's aftermath in Mississippi and New Orleans, which I have been watching closely. It has been frustrating on many levels and I'm sure very instructive to those entrusted with coordinating and carrying out relief efforts. I watch every day and wonder especially if New Orleans will be rebuilt in the same area, or moved elsewhere as many engineers (including Roger) have recommended.
Take care and happy packing! Thank you for the itinerary, and keep in touch.
Love, Sherrie
From: Margret Sent: 9/09/2005 6:48 p.m.
Dear Sherrie
The advent of Katrina has been traumatic as a very long-distance voyeur. The news programme, 'Jim Lehrer Hour', transmitted from the US, has been inspirational inits delivery of the ramifications of the disaster.
It is easy to view film footage and read of the horrid experiences of many but it is more useful for me to hear the views of the guests expounding on their theories.
I think, not in an engineering-way, that New Orleans be re-sited: it is the New Atlantis.
It was horrible to hear of the clients of a rest home who were not evacuated at an opportune time, courtesy of the manager, who later tried to get help. The old folk perished.
It was good to read that Val and Malcolm have experienced life in rural Surrey in England, indeed meeting with Darryn and Julie and staying with them. How about that for a place to visit?
Off this goes. Exams start next week and so I've only got one class to set work for for the Reliever. Three exams and one assessment to mark before D-day - one exam to mark next term.
See you on the 18th.
From the islanders.
PS: I've ignored the bread photos. I had asked Keegan to send photographic evidence but he hasn't obliged
From: Sherrie Sent: 13/09/2005 6:04 p.m.
Hi, Margret,
Is it Surrey, England where Val and Malcolm are staying? I like Shere better for a name, but close enough. Oh, it sounds wonderful. I was ready to pop in on poor Darryn and Julie before they were unpacked, but Roger has managed to restrain me. What an opportune time for any of us to visit England, while they are over there. I hope that Richard and you can give us some pointers for our eventual visit.
Now get through those exams and get packing, not much time to go before its your turn to fly away! Our girls are excited to hear of your impending visit (although none are down here just now,) as they remember your getting to meet you when you visited us in Portland, Margret. And my sister Yvonne also looks forward to meeting you. Just after you left Portland, she arrived to visit and enjoyed hearing about you from our girls, as well as the little messages you left for them on the dry-erase board.
Take care and have a great trip! (p.s. - your Dad's porridge, beaten into submission -- no wonder it was so smooth!)
Love, Sherrie
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