Delightful extravagance

This morning I looked out of the window and everything was snow covered. There was a strong flurry yesterday, which had been quite a shock – very large flakes and swirling like a snow globe – but nothing stuck. Clearly overnight it was cold enough that it did stick, at least for a few hours. […]

Excellent idea

Had an excellent idea, which I am rather pleased with. Instead of black granite kitchen countertops to have stainless steel. Neutral, natural material and will lighten the feel and make it feel a little stylish. What a genius I am sometimes. Also, what tedium my life that this is the highlight of the day.

Never again, again

Never again will I do something this foolish – I refer to the work I wrote about yesterday. I was up late, and then started work before breakfast – not as early as I planned, but still before breakfast. Thank heavens for the time difference. I sent off what I had and was very plain […]

Desperate working

I took on something I really shouldn’t have. When I am already overloaded with work I agreed to edit a research report on a topic with which I am completely unfamiliar, written by 6 different people none of whom have English as a native language (and none of whom share a language with each other), […]

Ground down

I am feeling rather ground down today. Oppressed particularly by work, as I have taken on too much, but also by the grimness of the world so that I can’t bear to listen or read the news, or anything to do with politics and society. Even the magazine is making me feel raw – not […]

Unwanted help

The Pakistani labourer who works for our contractor is very eager indeed to show me his friend’s warehouse of second-hand housewares, especially the lights. I must say, I’m sceptical, both that the lights will be any good and that the GF will approve, but I might go take a look. Not sure if there is […]

Wistful thoughts of poison

There is a cat in our neighbourhood which has the most godawful yowl. Every late morning, from around 10 to 1. It is absolutely nervewracking, and has been going on for weeks. Today I even heard a neighbour shout at it, which is rare in Istanbul.

Long walk home

This afternoon we went to visit the carpenter who is making our doors. It was a very long journey there as our contractor and architect decided to drive and there was a great deal of traffic on the first sunny weekend afternoon after the lifting of lockdown. The carpenter seemed good – he showed us […]

Satisfying

A satisfying trip to the flat today, as the electrician, plumber, contractor and architect were all there and we came to some solid decisions. Our accidental interpreter, the labourer from Gujranwala was there as well, and in a cheerful mood, including a secret offer, made in Punjabi, to hook me up with a seller of […]