Author: LayneCain

It’s beginning to cool down considerably in Cyprus. But I’m nothing if not determined to make the most of the almost-empty beach while there’s still any sun to be had. The tourists that traveled here are all but gone, some of them worried that their holidays have now resulted in having to isolate upon return… Read more

Oh, my heart is full today! I want to thank each and every one of you beautiful people for your congratulatory wishes, words of encouragement and genuine joy regarding my “birthday” yesterday. It means the world to me that so very many of you took time to say such lovely things. I am humbled by… Read more

Today is my Grandfather’s birthday. Had he lived, he would be 110.He left us when he was the tender age of 95. Fifteen years of missing him. When he passed away, the nursing home where he and Granny lived, provided her with a teddy bear to hold in his absence. As some of you know,… Read more

When I was a kid in South Africa, my Poppa would fresh-squeeze orange juice every morning. The sound of the juicing machine was my alarm on the occasions I stayed over at my Grandparents’ flat. Now I live in Cyprus, where copious amounts of trees grow, but the oranges on them are not as sweet… Read more

Li’l on the balcony on her ownToday the Bears will stay at home.It’s Halloween around the worldNo trick-or-treaters can be heard. Our curfew here at night, you seePrevents the kids from running free.But Cyprus is a tiny isleWhich follows rules with grace and style. Our numbers, slowly going down!Masks must be worn when going to… Read more

It’s October 25, my marvelous Mom’s birthday. A milestone indeed, as today she is 85 years young. My gift to her is the magnificence of Jacarandas in Johannesburg, South Africa, and a photo of myself and Mandela on my last visit to the land of Mommy’s birth. She has always said how lucky she was… Read more

Some sad news from Cyprus to share with you, my friends. My island paradise is experiencing a slow spike in CoVid cases, which has subsequently led to a new curfew starting on Friday. Mandatory mask-wearing will also be enforced, even in outdoor spaces, where, up until now, we were free to leave them off until… Read more

While the Others were out this afternoon, Ed the Ted took the opportunity to tiptoe onto the balcony of our third-floor flat to supervise the hanging of our neighbor’s washing. I must mention that for the first two months of the Lockdown, the thing that kept me from going dilly, was the daily doings of… Read more

Feeling a bit left out lately, the Two of Them stowed away in my car this morning in order to take the trip to our beach. They’d seen the kind comments on my “Footsteps” post of last night (and a huge thank you to everyone for the fabulous feedback) and insisted on making their mark… Read more

On Friday I dawdled on the unguarded side of my favorite beach here in Cyprus. You’re not supposed to swim in this particular spot and because I’m not comfortable unless my feet touch the bottom, there was no way I was going to go any further than the shore. As I walked, I turned to… Read more