Posts
This week on a Greek island
K changed the flags again.
We were given a brand new Greek flag which is supposed to be of a stronger material which will not tear or fade in the sun.
We will see
More gifts from Greeks.
4 old but sturdy wooden chairs with reclining backs
They need sandpapering and varnishing.
Will they be repaired and repainted or will they end up being used as they are now
The bed bases we acquired last winter are now out in the garden covered with a tarp.
That's an olive tree beside them. We got that tree about 8 years ago. It's almost the same size and never has any olives. A bit of a disappointment but it's healthy enough.
Son in law Kyriakos
With a cup of greek coffee and bag of funeral wheat
Saturday morning was a 1 year memorial for a friend of ours.
After the church service we all went for coffee as is the tradition. We are given a small bag with funeral wheat, plastic spoons to eat it with and a very nice muffin.
I just had a sugarless Greek coffee. I didn't drink my usual 2 or 3 glasses of the sweet liqueur. It is sweet and easy to drink a few small shot glasses and wobble home.
After the coffee we were all invited by the family to a lunch downtown. It might have been a sad memorial for a friend gone before his time but it was a nice day.
About 30 friends and relatives gathered. We had a really good lunch at one of the few harbourside tavernas still open. It was a beautiful sunny day, the food was excellent, the wine, according to the expert was very drinkable and the company and conversation most enjoyable.
The Greeks have many different courtesies which they utter at these times.
One of them is
'May you live long and remember him with love'.
And that's what we are doing
Sunday lunch
Fresh fish fried by my fisher man. A variety of small fish from the Aegean.
Eaten with potatoes baked with lots of lemon juice, garlic and oil.
No Greek salad.
Simply accompanied by bread and wine.
It’s nice you were all able to remember together. I used to think all that three weeks, six,week and so on caper was bad for those mourning. But after seeing how it helped my parents I think it’s not such a bad thing after all.
ReplyDeleteI always have a small amount of the funeral wheat. And then give it to hubby it’s too sweet for me
The memorials are good for these people who want company and find comfort in having everyone around them. Not my cup of tea but I follow the tradition especially if it's family.
DeleteI have a cookery book in France called The River Café, Easy. The two women who ran the restaurant were big fans of Greek cooking, and almost every recipe is something or other simply cooked with Olive oil Garlic and Lemon.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of the River Cafe but it's one recipe book I don't have. I'll find one !
DeleteYou sound like a very united people, The Greeks. Is that so politically or are the people divided just like they are in Britain?
ReplyDeleteThe Greeks were very opiniated and loud with their politics but now their way of thinking is
Delete'doesn't matter who you vote for they're all going to stuff up the economy and ignore the worker'
The 3 major parties all have internal turmoil. They're going down in popularity.
A good way to remember someone, with shared memories, good food and love.
ReplyDeleteIt's an easier atmosphere after one year though still hard for the immediate family.
DeleteIf it was me I would just use the chairs and maybe revamp them some time.
ReplyDeleteWell, join our club. There's a lot of talk, but....
DeleteThey got the once over today, a few screws tightened, nails hammered in so they're safe. It doesn't actually matter here. The whole outfit is rustic.
I would prefer smarter
Goodness - don't sand of varnish the chairs, the varnish will only come off again. Just scrub them with some teak cleaner (any good boat shop should have it) and give them a coat or two of teak oil (again, see boat shop). Easy easy, and another coat of oil brushed or sprayed on once a year.
ReplyDeleteI'll tell him that. I have an 8dea that he did that with a, wooden table we had. A damn sight easier as you say!
ReplyDeleteI wonder what the difference is between NZ coffee and Greek coffee? Is yours stronger? I do like a strong coffee and a strong cup of tea, something that really wakes me up in the morning. I would get some funky cushions to go on those wooden chairs, they are a nice gift to get.
ReplyDeleteGreek coffee is served in a small demi tasse cup. It is coffee, quite coarse, boiled in a little pot. You get an inch of coffee on top and an inch of mud underneath which you leave.
DeleteCompletely different. Takes a bit of getting used to. Often called Turkish coffee, but not here
I like that May you live long...sentiment, and your memorial day sounded wonderful.
ReplyDelete