I feel that since retiring (nearly 2 years ago) I have had
time to let my thoughts wander. I have only just realised what a luxury this
is, although I do sometimes think that my wanderings and ponderings are
evidence of a butterfly brain, that somehow I managed to conceal throughout my
working life.
For instance: earlier this week I posted a photo onto Facebook,
of 2 of my former students from the time when I worked in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
(1984/5) One was a then, 18 year old Spanish student, ( Bibiana) living with an
American family for a year as part of the A.F.S programme. The other, was Annick, from Belgium.
Bibi and Annick in my sociology class 1985
Bibi’s “AFS mother” was also a teacher at the
school, and we have remained great friends, and over the last 25 years I have caught up with her in Arizona, where
she now lives, in Wisconsin, Yorkshire and Ireland. I’m hoping she will make it
over to France to see me there.
Anyway, Bibi and I have also remained in contact, and a few
years ago I attended the baptism of her beautiful daughter, in Benicassim, in
Spain. It was an incredible occasion. Bibi’s whole family was there of course,
and that included her American family from the year she had spent in the US
that coincided with my time there. Another of the guests was the other student
in the photo I had posted on Facebook, Annick, who was
also in Sheboygan on the AFS scheme. So it was a fabulous multinational
gathering, and Bibi’s gorgeous daughter’s baptism was celebrated in very fine
style.
Bibi's Spanish family
and photos of Jane, her AFS mom and Lee, her AFS dad.
I knew I loved jamon before the party, but watching
the master carver approach the stunningly arranged leg with his jamonero and
his puntilla ( just 2 of the knives the master carvers learn to use during
their apprenticeship), I was completely overcome by the whole process.
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Bibi with her daughter, and Annick
Today, in the Sunday Observer magazine, there is a supplement
on Spanish food, and there, on page 39, is step by step instructions on how to
carve jamon. The accompanying article about the respect for the knives, and for
the pig ( mmm, not sure how the pig felt about that ) and the skill involved in
carving this £440 worth of pig’s leg, had me searching through my photos for
the jamon that Bibi served at her daughter’s baptism celebration.
So, there it is, I began the week remembering the beautiful and bright Bibi and Annick. Then
my mind wandered around thinking of the last time I had seen them both in
Spain.... and then, to round it off, the Observer article had me yearning for
some delicious slices of Iberico Bellota.....and it all led to this blog posting.
I am looking forward to where my mind takes me next week.
Love this! Such great memories...and the story goes on....our daughter Anne and her two daughters, Grace (11) and Allison (9), are now in Benicassim with Bibiana, Vicente, and their family over Spring Break. The very long term benefits of international hosting are just too numerous to count...especially for us.
ReplyDeleteIt was a beautiful occasion wasn't it. I imagine Anne,Grace and Allison are having a wonderful time. Its time you and Lee made plans to visit Spain again.....and France ! xx
DeleteI hope they have a wonderfull time!
DeleteI just love how one thought can lead to anothe I also love how wonderful it is to become caught up in the international community. To be able to experience first hand the customs and traditions that these international friendships can make our lives so much richer and our understanding of different cultures so much deeper. Not to mention the food which all sounds 'out of this world'!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, one of the things that has really struck me about blogging is the international nature of it. Travelling and making friendships across the world has always been important to me, and blogging just seems to be another way of doing it ....I love it.
ReplyDeleteA lovely, serendipitous post, Janice. I so enjoy the way one thought leads to another and this post was rally interesting because of it. Being still in touch after nearly 50 years with my German penfriend from schooldays, I share your love of international contact and friendship.
ReplyDeleteHello Perpetua, Isn't blogging excellent for international contact? It is so interesting to be in touch with people across the globe, who find they are interested in each others' thoughts. I am very impressed by the achievement of still being in touch with a penfriend for all that time...that is really something. J.
DeleteYou know I love this one, Janice, as much for your butterfly mind taking wings as for the delightful reminiscence, beautiful pictures and excellent 'hammy' link! I think you must have had control at work, you were always very focused and professional. Whereas I wasn't - usually! (I often smile at Rob V. once saying that underneath my 'flippant exterior there was a very solid bottom!' How true...)
ReplyDeleteYou are quite right about the blogging community touching people across the globe and how we are finding so many kindred spirits out there. Keep nectar-sipping!
Axxx
I only remember you as being professional at work Annie, and as for R.V's comment, well, I am shocked. Jxxx
Deletemmm! ham - I was wondering if I could bring a jamon back to Bodrum in my suitcase, but at £440 I might have to think again
ReplyDeleteYes, that is the price the Sunday Observer magazine quoted yesterday, but I remember from my visit to the baptism that it was an outrageous price.Soooooo good though.
DeleteYou are probably 200 Kms closer to Spain than us, but we do occasionally get the infamous black legged ham up here. Only one word for it; DELICIOUS.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, and the theatre attached to the carving is so fabulous too. J.
ReplyDeleteLovely post Janice. I too have a bit of a butterfly brain. I think it helps sometimes with blogging. Amazing how one fleeting thought can develop and take us back to memories of lovely times.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ayak, flitting from one idea to another seems fine for blogging....but it often stops me doing the things I set out to do, as something else comes onto my radar, and I do that instead. However, it is a luxury to be able to flit around and not worry about the consequences....I love retirement ! J.
DeleteWhat a wonderful testimonial to long-term friendships and international goodwill, Janice. I love how your mind wandered and where it led with this post. What a lovely post.
ReplyDeleteI would love to taste jamon and to see it carved.
There is no doubt that the taste and the theatre involved in carving adds up to a great experience.... and yes, mind wandering is such a lovely pastime isn't it. J
DeleteMe, again, just wanting to say how much I appreciate the term "butterfly brain". I do recognize that in myself and will borrow your term here often.
ReplyDeleteyou are very welcome.... as I have said to Ayak, sometimes its great flitting around, but from time to time, it hinders progress ! J.
DeleteSuch great memories...how one thing leads to another, yes you never know where the mind takes you.....ham, yummmm might have some for dinner this week.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed this nice post , thanks for sharing. :-)
Thanks Erica ( Irene), good food is always a nice place for the mind to wander ! J.
DeleteHi Janice - you've captured the flow of musing absolutely beautifully. Isn't it a lovely feeling when the mind and thoughts go for a ramble and you realise unconnected connectins.
ReplyDeleteCelia
Thanks Celia, there is no doubt that blogging is excellent for mind wandering, and it makes you realise how little time you've spent indulging in it, when you've spent all those years focussed on work. I cannot cheer loudly enough for retirement. Jx.
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