Home is always best and what a blessing to have two! As I turn myself around and upside down and cozy into January in Canada! Immediately, I am hit by the frozen, sparkly, land and my first breath is a cool sip. The beauty and magical effect of the frost and ice has me mesmerized. Tiny frozen droplets on ferns and ivy, sea shells are frilled with an icy frosting and the dirt, rocks and pine needles, making up the ground, have been glued together by liquid ice. My heart is back in the warmth of my home as I lovingly get my kitchen back into the swing of things! I am excited and inspired to prepare some favourites while the guitar makes it’s way out of a battered case from a long, troublesome journey. Feeling a little neglected for arriving home one day late due to temporary separation, the strings are tuning up nicely and the kitchen hits are purring.
“Vana vangu vakura…” a Shona melody, fills the air and I’m spinning between the two worlds landing where night is now day and day is now night. The dusty, vibrant red soil is still in the air (and on my shoes!) as I unpack my clothes and prepare my first load of laundry. Only moments ago the sun was blazing and the ground was scorching. Only the shade of the mango tree offered brief moments to cool down a notch. All I see is green and orange as everyone can’t help but take a moment to indulge in a juicy, sweet mango. If you are going to have one, you might as well have two, because there are plenty and your teeth will be jammed with the mangoes stringy fibres. Nature’s dental floss! Regardless, the smiles of our friends and family in Zimbabwe are with me and warming my spirit. I’m blessed with sharing the beauty of both worlds.
Amy Matamba
January 3, 2016