In yesterday’s Dutch class, Isabel was teaching us how to say that we like or dislike certain foods.  It was marvelous to have some fun as I practiced with my partner Waleed.

Eet jij graag stoofvlees?

Do you like to eat Belgian stew?

Ja, ik eet graag stoofvlees

Yes, I like to eat Belgian stew

***

Eet jij graag broccoli?

Do you like to eat broccoli?

Nee, ik eet niet graag broccoli

No, I don’t like to eat broccoli

Our conversation got me thinking of my most unfavourite food – raisins.  Waleed’s first language is Urdu, not English, and he wasn’t familiar with the word.

“I’ll look it up on Google,” I said helpfully. I had the choice of many images of the wretched little creatures.  I showed one of them to Waleed and he got what I was talking about.

“You ask me the question, Waleed!”

I delighted in pretty much shouting the answer “NEE!”

Soon it was back to the intensity of new material.  Then at the end of our three-and-a-half hour class I was pooped as usual.  Enough Dutch for one day.

A good way for me to unwind is reading articles on my phone about cycling races.  Lounging on the couch, I opened one of those sites and picked a story.

“When what to my wondering eyes should appear” …

You’ll be happy to know that raisins followed me throughout the rest of the day as I read this and that. Talk about pollution of the soul!

Today the advertisements have nothing to do with schrivelled grapes, those tiny demons that taste horrible.

Thank God