Anatomy of a Date

Put on your New York t-shirt, the one you bought after having too much wine at lunch in Soho, the price of which still causes you to gasp inside but which makes you feel fabulous. Leave with your babysitter one sleeping child and two others reading in bed. (The fact that you now have two [...]

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Let Freedom Ring

I’m just off to bake cupcakes to take to the inauguration party I’m going to this evening. I’m feeling ridiculously emotional – I’ve cried three times today already – so I will be taking a Super Value size box of tissues with me to the party. While I’m blowing my nose, let this entertain you: [...]

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Friday Fessing on Saturday

This is the problem with being a pantser rather than a planner: I’m 70,000 words into my novel and I’ve just realised that I may have to cancel one of my three main characters. Egad! I’ve got tons of material on her, details and background and about 25,000 V-specific words, but it’s just dawned on [...]

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This is How Old I Am

My parents bought our first television when I was seven. There was one channel, alternating daily between English and Afrikaans for two hours a day. I owned and wore leg warmers in a non-ironic way. I peroxided my fringe. Ultimate romance used to be The Blue Lagoon: I had a passionate relationship with Duran Duran. [...]

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In Honour of My Hero

It is -14°C today. The Neckar is frozen. So am I. I am wearing a shawl, not unlike a granny. However, I am looking forward to the inauguration. I have been invited to a party. There will be corn-dogs, chocolate cake and potato salad. And hopefully, hot drinks. I will cry. Get a red nose. [...]

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Channelling Mrs Prothero

I am not one for fits of rage. If I am angry with you and you are not one of my children, I indulge in a little judicious slamming, some quiet muttering and a style of loud walking that I inherited from my mother and which has earned her the nickname of “Captain Footsteps”. At [...]

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Love In a Cold Climate

If today’s news of billionaire suicides and bombings in Gaza is depressing you – as it is me – then let this story take your mind off. This is the story of young love, in Germany. ENJOY!

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Reading in 2008

I’ve dived into 2009 with a delicious orgy of reading. The kids are still on holiday, it’s minus bloody something outside and I’ve got a blankie and a pile of Christmas books to work through. Luxury! So far I’ve read both of Barack Obama’s books (Dreams from my Father and Audacity of Hope) and Elizabeth [...]

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Help My PhD Student (And Me)

I live with a PhD student. He is also a full-time worker and father of three,  so he is a fairly busy guy. With his dissertation and my novel to finish this year, 2009 is going to be interesting for us. One of the ways you could help us avoid marital strife – if you [...]

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RIP, Helen Suzman

Fearless South African patriot, Helen Suzman, has died at the age of 91. See the BBC report here. This is the tribute I wrote in November 2007 when she turned 90. According to the New York Times, Suzman’s vigorous campaigning against apartheid “drew wide acknowledgment from academic institutions. Harvard, Columbia and Brandeis were among 26 [...]

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