Robbie Cheadle's Blog, page 16

Robbie’s Inspiration – Experimenting with Fish: Cape Malay Fish Curry

The fabulous John Rieber, adventurous chef and entertainer extraordinaire, and I are collaborating to cook some new dishes. For this post, John is contributing an American dish and I am contributing a South African dish using fish as the main ingredient.

You can find John’s Original Lobster Newberg recipe from NYC here: https://biteeatrepeat.com/2024/10/18/the-original-lobster-newberg-recipe-from-nyc-robbie-cheadles-cape-malay-fish-curry-a-worldwide-culinary-collaboration/

The dish I chose to make is my version of Cape Malay fish curry.

Picture caption: a serving of Cape Malay fish curryIngredients

1 kilogram white fish. I used our local hake.

Olive oil for frying

2 medium onions, diced

1 teaspoon ground cardamom

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 tablespoon garlic flakes

1 teaspoon fennel seeds

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala

4 large potatoes, diced

2 cups uncooked rice (I used a local short grained rice)

1 teaspoon turmeric

1/2 cup green lentils (uncooked)

Method

Cook the lentils in 8 cups of salted water for 45 minutes until soft. Boil the potatoes until soft. Set aside.

Cook the rice according to the instructions adding the turmeric and salt.

Cut the fish into large pieces. Fry the onions in the olive oil until they are soft. Add the spices. Add the fish and fry until cooked.

When the rice is cooked, stir in the fish and onion mixture, potatoes and lentils. Transfer the mixture to a prepared baking dish and add 1 cup of chicken stock.

Bake in the oven, preheated to 180 C, for 30 minutes.

Picture caption: Cape Malay fish curry when it came out of the oven.

My family enjoyed this dish tremendously. It has all the lovely subtle flavours of Cape Malay curries, but the lower quantities of the spices prevent them from overpowering the fish. This dish has the added bonus of being healthy.

Robbie’s Inspiration – Reblog, Treasuring Poetry: Meet Talented poem Dawn Pisturino

Today, I am delighted to welcome talented poem, Dawn Pisturino, as my October Treasuring Poetry guest. Dawn is a prolific poet and a huge supporter of the WP poetry community. Thanks to Kaye Lynne Booth for hosting.

Treasuring Poetry – Meet talented poet, Dawn Pisturino and a review #poetrycommunity #poetry #TreasuringPoetry

Robbie’s Inspiration – Esther Chilton’s writing challenge: Senses, Tanka Sunflower Journal inspiration and Michael’s art #poetry #art #photography

This week, Esther has given the prompt senses as her weekly writing prompt. I have written a series of related haiku for this challenge. Each haiku addresses a different sense.

Ferocious buzzing

Ignorance is perilous

Heat provokes swarming

***

Lucious gold flowers

Hiding African killers

Death has tiny wings

***

Cloying sweet perfume

Hangs heavily in hot air

Attracts deadly bees

***

Swarming bees attack

Driving hot stings into flesh

Life not guaranteed

***

Acacia honey

Taste of possible danger

Untamed forewarning

You can join in Esther’s writing prompt here: https://estherchilton.co.uk/2024/10/09/writing-prompts-35/

Michael’s Art

Michael has been experimenting with spray painting. I thought these Halloween creations were splendid.

Picture caption: Michael’s skull. This is his first attempt.Picture caption: Michael’s double skull. Pretty clever I thought.Picture caption: Michael’s final piece from yesterday. Tanka Sunflower Journal

You can find out more about the Tanka Sunflower Journal here: https://tankatuesday.com/2024/10/01/sunflower-tanka/

Here are some photographs for Into the Light inspiration:

Picture caption: Weaver bird nest building in the morning sunPicture caption: Black-backed jackal glowing in the morning sunlightPicture caption: Sunlight sparkling on rain dropsPicture caption: Sunlight sparkling on a spider web turning it into a rainbow

Robbie’s Inspiration – my poem, Grandparents, on Hotel by Masticadores #poetry

Thank you to Michelle from Hotel by Masticadores, for sharing my poem, Grandparents.

Grandparents by Robbie Cheadle

Robbie’s Inspiration – Reblog: Read and Cook with Robbie Cheadle #cooking #readingcommunity

I was supposed to reblog this post yesterday, but I wasn’t able to do so from my phone either through Jetpack or through the email link. No idea why but I have to reblog from my laptop.

This is the first post in my new Read and Cook series on Writing to be Read. A horror book review for Halloween and a New Orleans gumbo recipe with a South African twist. Thanks for hosting, Kaye Lynne Booth.

Read and cook with Robbie Cheadle – Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice and New Orleans Gumbo #bookreview #recipe #Readandcook

Robbie’s Inspiration – Tanka Tuesday, Esther Chilton’s writing challenge and Sunday Stills #poetry #trees

I have been dwelling on Esther Chilton’s writing prompt for nearly a week. The topic is feeling proud. I just couldn’t think of anything to write for this. Then today, Sadje’s published her Tanka Tuesday challenge with the theme “what brought a big change in your life”.

You can join in Tanka Tuesday here: https://tankatuesday.com/2024/10/08/tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-specific-theme-10-8-2024/

You can join in Esther Chilton’s writing challenge here: https://estherchilton.co.uk/2024/10/02/writing-prompts-34/

After some thought, I came up with this tanka prose for both prompts:

Working Student

I grew up in a home where neither of my parents finished high school. My father achieved the equivalent of an O levels and my mother left school even earlier. Gravitating towards reading at a young age, I received encouragement and support from my parents. They were proud of my reading abilities and scholastic achievements.

After school, I did a secretarial course at a local collage and got a job. I worked and saved for three years before starting a degree in accounting through a local correspondence university. Six years later, I qualified as a Chartered Accountant (South Africa) having passed my Board examinations and finished my articles.

This achievement changed my life. My husband was the Auditor in Charge on my first audit at the international auditing firm I joined after completing my degree with distinction. We were married a year after I received my admittance into the profession.

I was brought up a Catholic and the nuns taught us that pride comes before a fall. I have never really thought about being proud of my educational and career achievements, but I do believe my family are proud of me.

A difficult path

Long days and longer evenings

The working student

Balances academics

With career expectations

Sunday Stills

Terri’s Sunday Still’s photograph challenge is trees. You can join in Sunday Stills here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2024/10/06/sunday-stills-someone-planted-a-tree/

Picture caption: Tree against a moody skyPicture caption: Baby elephant in the treesPicture caption: this is a Shepherd’s tree, so named because it provides shade for the shepherds all year around. Picture caption: it fascinates me how the termites build their mounds right into the treesPicture caption: A giraffe feeding among the trees in the early morningPicture caption: Elephant feeding on an acacia tree, thorns and all

Submissions for the Sunflower Tanka Journal are now open. You will find the instructions here: https://tankatuesday.com/%F0%9F%8C%BBsunflower-tanka-submissions%F0%9F%8C%BB/

Robbie’s Inspiration – A duo of poetry book reviews: The Churchyard Yew and Pilgrim #poetry #bookreviews

The Churchyard Yew by K MorrisPicture caption: Cover for The Churchyard Yew by K MorrisWhat Amazon says

A miscellany of poems about nature, passing time and relationships.

My review

This is another superb collection of poems by K Morris. This poet writes a wide variety of different poems but my firm favourites are the ones where he reflects on the mortality of humankind. There is something quite chilling about these reflections with their inevitable ending of the demise of man.

One such poem is Obsession, and this is a short quote:
“Why do I
Obsess over fallen leaves?
Should I lie
And try to pretend
There is no end?”

Other poems unravel the loneliness of mankind and how we attempt to fill that space with insubstantial and unfulfilling relationships and past times:

In My Lonely Hours
“In my lonely hours
I have known
The pull of flowers.
I have grown
Weary of being alone
And bought wine
And flowers
To while
Away the time
With painted smiles
And blossom,
Fallen as I”

I find this poet’s thought processes and reflections to be profound. I highly recommend this book.

Purchase The Churchyard Yew and Other Poems by K Morris from Amazon USA here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0D6LTPSS1

Pilgrim: Volume 1 by Frank Prem & Leanne MurphyPicture caption: Cover for Pilgrim by Frank Prem & Leanne MurphyWhat Amazon saysMy review

PILGRIM is a collection of small wisdoms offered to illuminate the journey and to make sense, if possible, of the load that must be carried by all travellers. Seeking the balance between light and its many shades of opposition is an eternal quest.

My review

Frank Prem is one of my favourite poets. His thoughts are deep and relevant and his books usually revolve around a central theme. In this case, the theme is that of a pilgrim and his poems brought to mind my favourite childhood book about pilgrims called The Land of Far Beyond written by Enid Blyton. The concept of being a pilgrim on a journey through life has always fascinated me.

The first poem kicks of reflections on life’s journey as follows:
scant sighting
“pilgrim
do not weep

this is a journey
that passes
almost within sight
and truly
you may catch
a fleeting glimpse”

Through the eyes of this poet, our pilgrimage continues even during our sleep as we process the experiences and emotions of the day:

sleep on
“you may not always know
if you’ve won or lsot
or what they mean
but
dreams will lay the way
in mist and smoke
before you”

As the poet takes his pilgrimage, he reflects on the knowledge of life and the universe we lack and which we long for. The understanding we aspire to reach:

grasp of a paradigm
“it is fundamental
to the nature of possibility
that answers will shimmer
at the periphery
of vision”

Frank Prem is a most unusual poet of great insight. His poetry is an incredible gift to humanity.

Purchase Pilgrim by Frank Prem & Leanne Murphy from Amazon USA here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CWCK5NTM

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge: Tanka Puenta, best and worst moments 10/01/2024 #syllabicpoetry

I am hosting this week’s Tanka Tuesday poetry challenge over at Colleen’s blog. Come on over and join the fun.

Hi everyone, it’s Robbie Cheadle hosting this first #TankaTuesday challenge in the new series and I am delighted to be here. This week we are writing…

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge: Tanka Puenta, best and worst moments 10/01/2024 #syllabicpoetry

The Countdown is on… Sunflower Tanka Submissions Open 10/1/24

Tomorrow’s the day! Sunflower Tanka opens for submissions on https://wp.me/Pf6xyT-hDP. Sunflower Tanka is a new journal of contemporary tanka and…

The Countdown is on… Sunflower Tanka Submissions Open 10/1/24

Robbie’s Inspiration – W3 prompt, Esther Chilton’s writing challenge & spring paintings for Teagan #poetry #springflowers #paintings

Once again, my poem is doing double duty today.

Esther Chilton’s prompt is dilemma.

You can join in her prompt here: https://estherchilton.co.uk/2024/09/25/writing-prompts-33/

This poem is also for David’s W3 prompt as follows:

Nolcha’s prompt guidelinesCompose a poem that includes at least 1-2 lines from Robert Frost’s ‘The Road Not Taken’ poem:‘The Road Not Taken’ by Robert FrostTwo roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

This is my poem!

You can join in W3 here: https://skepticskaddish.com/2024/09/25/w3-prompt-126-weave-written-weekly/

Fateful Day

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood

Creating a dilemma for the traveller

Which path should she take?

The one she’d planned for five years

Or the other where she could only see

To where it bent in the undergrowth

Who knew what hidden opportunities lay

Along that lessor travelled and secret way

Resolutely, she turned her back

On the well laid plans she’d made

In her secret heart she knew that

A lack of imagination and adventure

Would never empower her to reach

Her full potential and fulfil her dreams

She followed the siren call of the new

The track was not a straightforward one

But each twist and turn presented her

With a different and exciting chance

To develop a new and unknown skill

She discovered hidden talents

Made extraordinary acquaintances

Which led her on and on further along

That intriguing and wonky road

She found balance and happiness

Things she may never have know

Had she followed the straighter path

On that fateful and life changing day

Here are a few more spring pictures:

Picture caption: yellow rosesPicture caption: my pale pink irises are amazingSpring paintings

I painted these three watercolour pictures for my author friend, Teagan Geneviene. The two paintings of a young woman with green hair are depictions of her character, Meadow, who features in her delightful book, Atonement in Bloom. Meadow is a manifestation of environment well being and everywhere she goes flowers grow.

You can find Teagan on her blog here: https://teagansbooks.com/2024/09/24/announcing-new-nonfiction-real-steampunkery-tech/

In case you missed it previously, this is my review of Atonement in Bloom:

Atonement in Bloom picks up where Atonement, Tennessee left off. That being said, you can read this volume on without reading the first book as the story stands alone. The first book is also excellent though, so I recommend you start at the beginning.

The story opens with supernatural beings, Gwydion and Cael, both having left Atonement suddenly following the great supernatural battle at the end of Book 1. A grand mansion appears overnight and Ralda and her best friend, Bethany, both believe that Gwydion, Guy for short, has a hand in it. After all the trouble he caused, they would prefer he stays gone. This magical occurrence seems to trigger a series of events and as the two women head back to Ralda’s house, several strange and obviously magical flowers make their appearance. The flower discoveries are followed by odd dark spots and sooty singed marks. Something is happened, but what?

In the meantime, Lilith the cat is having her own adventures and comes across Beira, a fae woman with a long braid of blue hair. Soon afterwards, Ralda and Bethany finds a strange woman with mint green hair wrapped in a blanket of greenery in her cemetery. The stranger, whom the two ladies call Meadow, has no memory of where she came from. She has unusual powers and everywhere she walks, flowers grow in abundance. She also has a strange attraction for men who are completely mesmerized by her, including the eccentric Lou Lawton-Gyffes, the owner of the magical mansion and relative of Guy.

All these strange magical happens and characters are tied together and Ralda and Bethany must try and unravel the mystery before anything terrible goes wrong that effects the entire town.

I enjoyed the characters of Ralda and Bethany in Book 1 and I liked how they grew in this second book. Some other friends from Book 1 show their true characteristics and become opposition to Randa’s quest to save the town and her friends from evil.

Atonement in Bloom is a fast moving and exciting story set in a the fantasy town of Atonement where the veil between non-magical and magical is thin and can be pierced either way. Lilith the cat plays an important role in this story and Robin the Sherriff, whose memories have been tampered with so that he forgets the magical battle, makes a reappearance. If you like highly imaginative story of mystery and magic, this is the series for you.

Picture caption: Meadow swinging. Flowers have grown where she touches the swing.Picture caption: Meadow in a dress comprised of flowersPicture caption: Multicoloured irises as grown by Meadow