Fairlady March - April 2022

Pretty much like everyone else in the world, our family has been caught up in the Wordle bubble for weeks now. But something strange is happening: the more I do it, the worse I get. In the beginning (falsely modest cough), I usually ended up coming in first – or at least in the top two in the household. But now I tend to languish at the bottom. My husband, on the other hand, is killing it. There are many reasons this is annoying, not least because he’s an architect and I’m a writer, and he should just stay in his lane. Although, now that I think of it, he also often wins at Scrabble, and Boggle, and Snatch… I may have to rethink my career. Apart from that minor…

Pretty much like everyone else in the world, our family has been caught up in the Wordle bubble for weeks now. But something strange is happening: the more I do it, the worse I get. In the beginning (falsely modest cough), I usually ended up coming in first – or at least in the top two in the household. But now I tend to languish at the bottom. My husband, on the other hand, is killing it. There are many reasons this is annoying, not least because he’s an architect and I’m a writer, and he should just stay in his lane. Although, now that I think of it, he also often wins at Scrabble, and Boggle, and Snatch… I may have to rethink my career. Apart from that minor irritation, I…

Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason Like its title, this brilliant novel is perfectly pitched between humour and tragedy. Why does Martha keep ‘burning her own house down’, as her cousin puts it? What is it that makes her want to damage herself and everyone around her? There was buzz around this book last year, but I think there should have been more – it’s by far the best-written novel I’ve read since Brood by Jackie Polzin. I absolutely loved it. Happy Culture Cucumber & Mint Kombucha This delicious drink is a treat – very refreshing, and also excellent for your gut biome. (Good gut health is now being linked to increased immunity to the effects of long Covid.) There are other lovely flavours in the same range too. Potion…

Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason Like its title, this brilliant novel is perfectly pitched between humour and tragedy. Why does Martha keep ‘burning her own house down’, as her cousin puts it? What is it that makes her want to damage herself and everyone around her? There was buzz around this book last year, but I think there should have been more – it’s by far the best-written novel I’ve read since Brood by Jackie Polzin. I absolutely loved it. Happy Culture Cucumber & Mint Kombucha This delicious drink is a treat – very refreshing, and also excellent for your gut biome. (Good gut health is now being linked to increased immunity to the effects of long Covid.) There are other lovely flavours in the same range too. Potion Slinger Palo Santo Soy…

WINNING LETTER TWO HEARTS I am on holiday in Cape Town, having lived here previously for many years, and was both interested and thrilled that Suzy Brokensha, as well as being a wordy nerdy, highlighted the word ‘hiraeth’ (Editor’s letter, January/February 2022). I am originally Welsh and know what it’s like to have your heart in two countries! I love the word and concept of hiraeth – it’s what I get when I hear the Welsh or South African anthems, it’s what I feel when I meet people who encapsulate either of these wonderful countries. The language of the soul, the call from the inner self… but don’t forget the tears. Anne Macdonald Ed: I’m so charmed to hear that hiraeth is a word you know well, Anne – it’s too…

WINNING LETTER TWO HEARTS I am on holiday in Cape Town, having lived here previously for many years, and was both interested and thrilled that Suzy Brokensha, as well as being a wordy nerdy, highlighted the word ‘hiraeth’ (Editor’s letter, January/February 2022). I am originally Welsh and know what it’s like to have your heart in two countries! I love the word and concept of hiraeth – it’s what I get when I hear the Welsh or South African anthems, it’s what I feel when I meet people who encapsulate either of these wonderful countries. The language of the soul, the call from the inner self… but don’t forget the tears. Anne Macdonald Ed: I’m so charmed to hear that hiraeth is a word you know well, Anne – it’s too beautiful a concept to…