Nelly

My husband just came back from his boy’s weekend. His best friend is very much at home in the world of exclusive dining and rather knowledgeable in the realms of high end alcohol. He has also taken it upon himself to educate me, so he lets my husband bring things we could never afford. Usually exquisite wine, cognac or Champagne. This time it was two bottles of rare rum....

Now my knowledge of rum only goes as far as adding it to tea in winter, or that it was a staple to a pirate’s diet. Immediately I felt transported back in time, on board a pirate ship called “Golden Nelly”. The captain (obviously. my mate) named the ship after me (think Johnny Depp with less make-up and a parrot on his shoulder, called Admiral Green). He rescued me from the clutches of the awful Captain Red Beard, who abducted me in the middle of a stormy night from my father’s Chalet, and made me scrub the boards of his ship, the “Rotten Anchor”. Naturally there was a duel, Johnny won and we fell in love at first sight.

So now I am elegantly draped on board the “Golden Nelly” over barrels of rum, made comfortable by masses of  (stolen) velvet cushions, and the pirates are entertaining me and the captain with rough pirate songs, and drinking large amounts of rum from tin pitchers. They are actually a nice bunch, when they are not killing each other, or climbing on other ships to steal, and, because I am the captain’s wench, they treat me with respect and their own kind of charm. Only Admiral Green gives me a hard time: whenever I pass by him, he croakes “give us a kiss Nelly love”. Rather irritating. I wonder where he picked that up....

But I digress.... the rum I received is certainly. not meant for tin pitchers. I suppose one serves it in tumblers made out of Waterford Crystal, which sparkles in candle light. Maybe with a single perfect ice cube, after a luxurious dinner.... Or does one serve it as an Apertitive?

The world is full of things to discover, and I am grateful for friends who help open doors to new exeperiences. I will now see whether rum and I will become friends.... And, meanwhile back on board the “Golden Nelly”, the name giver of this friendly pirate ship is wondering whether her  captain and Admiral Green would consent to her having a cat on board...😉

Romance

A few days ago I was searching for some photos, and stumbled across old memories in the process. They ranged from photos of past romances to a pressed (meanwhile antique) red rose. That got me wondering.... With all the digitalization nowadays, what will the young people of today have in 20 years or so? There is nothing like the feel of an old, faded photo with a name and maybe a personal handwritten message on the back to bring back the memory of a long forgotten romance, or the musty scent of a dried flower to re live a special moment.

I also found old cards from my last year at school. Handwritten promises of undying friendship. People long forgotten and some unfortunately no longer with us.... Some sad memories, but all very moving and special. I wonder what became of some of those people, who were part of my every day life back then. And every little message brings things back to me.

What will happen to all of this, in the time of social networks, iPhone cameras which can store a multitude of photos, but where deleting is terribly simple.... How long do the cyber memories last, and who still has the photos from years and years ago?

I am very grateful for all the mementos of the past. Things I can actually hold in my hands, feel and smell. There are not many, but that makes it even more special, and brings a feeling of romance and personalization, which I find sadly missing in this day and age. Maybe one day actual letter writing will become popular again. Who knows...☺️

Meanwhile the cat doesn’t really care. She has discovered the pleasure in refusing her usual food, and insisting on raw meat and fish. Maybe that is her kind of romance, just as real to her as handwritten notes are to me😉