Tag: Family

Books, Just writing

Playing cards

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Before the smart phone games, app games, and all the massive screen based entertainment, some parents used to play cards with their children during holidays and school breaks. I did, still do, though rarely nowadays.

Those moments engraved wonderful memories in our minds. We laughed, shouted, and jumped as we sat in a circle on the carpeted floor to play cards. We played for fun with one rule: the first loser is out, but had to keep sitting and watching until the last round. It was something like “The Weakest Link.”  What made those moments even more enjoyable was how my husband and I called the cards names in the Egyptian Arabic. Our children wouldn’t mind,  wouldn’t even try to use the english ones. They liked it this way.

I wonder, and you might also wonder, why I thought about all that today? That’s becuase of the book I have just finished reading: The Solitaire Mystery. Have ypu read it? I really recommend it. It’s a good book,. But to be honest, I was a bit confused with the English cards names version. I even don’t know what the Solitaire game is? We play basic cards games. Bit by bit, I came to understand things, and that’s when I started enjoying the book more.

Herewith the link for my book review. Have a look and let me know what do you think about the book?

https://nh825.wordpress.com/2024/12/28/the-solitaire-mystery/

With hope and peace,

Nahla

Just writing

Don’t let them age

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I remember my grandparents from my mother’s side as I hadn’t seen my father’s since they all died early before he married my mother.

Anyway, my grandparents were barely in their late sixties or early seventies when they died. As a child, I used to believe they were so ancient, so weird. Their house was so big and so old. Not becuase they didn’t have enough money –  they did, but because they didn’t like change. They liked their old furniture, the old walls, the old staircase, and even their old clothes.

From my mother’s tales, especially about her father, I believed he was a monster and a tyrant. By the way, he wasn’t religious, but I am not going to detail more because we shouldn’t speak ill of the dead, should we? However, he was, actually, so kind with me. Perhaps, because I used to avoid him all the time, or because I was the quietest of his grandchildren tribe. But, he really was kind, and when he laughed or smiled, I didn’t see him that old at all.

Some people say that the real youth is the youth of the heart and the soul. If you read Mr. MacBride’s story, you will know how important it is to not let either your heart or your soul age.

Have you read The Five Wishes Of Mr MacBride. It’s a wonderful book. Have a look at my review!

https://nh825.wordpress.com/2024/12/17/the-five-wishes-of-mr-murray-mcbride/


With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

Strange

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Do you or your family make any special dishes for the holidays?


We often hear that men do not know how to cook, or even worse, their cooking is terrible, don’t we?

But isn’t it strange when you find out that they can, or can do very well.

Cooking is mostly one of everyday mandatory chores, but it can also be fun and a special hobby.

I still remember my father’s baked potatoes with meat. Although he mainly used basic spices, that dish was like nothing else- delicious. I remember he used to cook this dish, mainly, but not often, during the summar holidays. The aroma would waft through our house, making our mouth water. I remember how he looked so proud and happy of his achievement.

Strange how simple things, such as baked potatos with meat, can be carved in children’s memories. And, how strange that some parents deny their children such beautiful moments to relish later on when they grow up.

If it weren’t for the speciality of the chef, the love it was made with, and my family around it, I am sure that dish wouldn’t have crossed my mind for today’s prompt.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Books, daily prompt

Anne with E

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What book are you reading right now?

I guess you have read about the most popular children’s classic; Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery. Have you read the series or watched its adaptation? Well, I highly recommend it if you haven’t done either.

I first discovered Anne of Green Gables during the lockdown in 2020 when nights seemed so long and quiet. My daughter couldn’t sleep well at night and to be honest I didn’t either. But then I thought it would be a good idea to watch something together until her body relaxed and sleep came. After a quick search, I found the full animated series of Ann of Green Gables online. In bed, snuggling together with her IPad, we watched one episode every single day. We giggled, we cried, we dreamed of Anne, and we learned a lot from her story. We really had a wonderful time.

Three years later, the whole book series of Anne Of Green Gables was my gift for my daughter’s twelfth birthday. She was excited to read them, at first, but couldn’t read more than a few chapters. ‘ I loved the animation more, mama,’ she told me though promised to try again. To this day, she hasn’t. You know that the one who ever says that TV kills your senses was so true.

It was just last month when I decided to borrow the book series from my daughter. She handed them all with a broad smile. I have already finished the first two books and I enjoyed every bit of it. The book took you back to a different generation, different people, different place, different fashion, and different food. It is full of sounds, colours, activities, tastes, and smells. Besides, everyone is very welcome to read it.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

Let’s make it personal

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What major historical events do you remember?

But of course,  the major historical events are all related, like blood brothers, to inhuman man-made catastrophes, major catastrophes. So why not let the ‘big’ leaders of the world and their loyal devotees answer that? Their answers probably wouldn’t be different from what we learn at school.

So, let’s make it personal. Can there be a bit of alteration? Something like, ‘what is the best day you can describe as the major historical event in your life? That’s better, much better this way.

I was waiting at home, running from one window to another and looking out for my father. He used to bring my end of year exam results every year. I had never disappointed him, but this time was so different. I was shaking from head to toe. It was the result of my final exams in high school.  I studied hard that year with no private tutors, no extra help. I lost too much weight and looked miserable. All I wanted was to pass with honourable results. And I did. I glanced at my father walking down the street towards our house with a big smile on his face, and I knew I did it.  Not only did I get honourable marks, but my result was the second highrest at my school. Such an event had never happened in the history of my family.

That was the major historical event in my life. First, because my parents were so proud of me. Second, because my life had changed  significantly after that day.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

Onion tears

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What brings a tear of joy to your eye?

‘Mama are you crying?’

‘No, honey, that’s onion tears.’

This is my daughter’s dramatic reaction whenever I grate some onions. I know she’s just joking, but I love to see that dramatic performance she puts on to show that she cares about me.

I believe most people will cry their eyes out when they’re dealing with onions. But I also believe that a genuine gesture of love, appreciation, thanks, understanding, and support will always bring tears to our eyes.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

Reverie

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What activities do you lose yourself in?

Whatever the thing you like, you will lose yourself in it. A book, a song, a recipe, a sport, a picture, a movie, …. . You’re losing youself because that thing makes you feel better, makes you happy, and, in some cases, makes you be yourself.

Do you know that some people lose themselves in talking. Oh, yes, some have the ability to talk nonstop. They lose themselves and others, and even if you interrupt, they don’t intentinally ignore you but just could not hear other voices.

But, that question also reminds me of my daughter a year or two ago when she found it hard to fell asleep. My advice was to think of pleasant thoughts. Lose yourself in reverie, I told her. Reverie is like a pause that can block unpleasant things and open a winow for pleasant ones, and that’s all free and for just a few seconds.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

Five times!

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What movies or TV series have you watched more than 5 times?

Could that be only me? But, would you really watch a movie or a TV series five times or more? I think that’s too much. Wouldn’t that be like watching everydays news that are useless to both your brain and your life!

It’s a great fun when a family snuggle together to watch a movie. Something funny, interesting, or even creepy as long as it suits them all, would make a good family time.

To be honest, if it wasn’t for my children, I wouldn’t have watched most of the movies I did. And, three times is the maximum number we watched any. And to be even more honest, if there ever is a third time, we become uninterested and one by one slip away from the gathering.

Perhaps, being a full time mother, trying ber best to find time for her own hoppies, watching movies  more than once is too much for me.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

My dear old me

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Write a letter to your 100-year-old self.

Are you already a hundred years old? What an achievement! Hope you’re doing well, both physically and sychologicially. You know that your parents, grandparents and great grandparents had barely managed to reach their seventy five. But, according to what I had seen and heard, they had been acting as if they were a hundred. Pray tell me you are in good form and shape.

Sure, you still remember that madness about beauty standards and cosmetic surgeries which are developing every second these days They’ve been blowing the brains of both men and women for a while. Do you still remember when you used to laugh at how some women are looking all the same. You, then said, one day husbands and wives will be confused, unable to spot their partners among the crowd of similar faces. Hopefully, you’re smiling now while saying no; the number of people who giving up this madness are on rise.

What about smart technologies and artificial intelligence? Are people giving up these things too or things are becoming worse. Please, do not say robots are everywhere. Hopefully, you’re smiling again and say; no, humans are in control and they’re moving, working, and using their own hands and brains.

Don’t forget to send my prayers and love to my children and my grandchildren,

Love you my dear old me,

Be safe,

Be always content,

With the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

The Tortoise and the Hare

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Yesterday I asked my daughter:

If there is a second part to the tortoise and the hare story in which they will decide to go for another competition, who do you think will win?

While she was thinking, i said in my head the Hare. Surely he would have learned the lesson. He would never think to have a nap under the same tree. No way.

The tortoise, my daughter said and i looked at her surprised.

How? I asked believing the hare would never repeat the same mistake.

The Hare will copy the tortoise and crawl all the way next to her.

Why? I asked still surprised

Because she had won the first race and he thought if he followed her pace, he would too

Any why do you think it did not work with him?

Because his legs hurt. He got different legs to those of the tortoise. So he became very very tired and had some rest under the tree and fell asleep again.

Oh poor hare! Surely he was very disappointed, i said

No, he was not, my daughter said

Why? I asked.

Because he wasn’t himself in the race this time, my daughter said

Don’t understand, i said

He was pretending to be the tortoise but this can’t be. He should be himself, the hare, to win, my daughter said.

Good point! I smiled

Children will always give us wonderful lessons.

Wishing you all the best,

Nahla