THERE MUST BE SOME HERE SOMEWHERE!

I'll get around to finish this drawing one day!

Clint Lindt

Yoo-hoo! Hey there!  Over here!  I’m over here behind the bushes; to the left.  My left, silly; not your right…that’s right!  I’m digging around, scrounging about in search of Easter eggs.  There must be some here somewhere. If I keep searching I might also find my lost appetite. Spotting a hare isn’t rare, but they don’t care about carting around basketfuls of Easter eggs.  Rabbits are far too busy hopping around carrying out their bunny habits.  If you know what I mean!

After a horrific beginning to 2024, Easter snuck up on me.  Before I knew it, Easter was here, and then, in a flash, gone.  Half asleep, or half awake throughout the whole event, I missed out on the eggs…a calamity of the highest degree!  Forever hopeful, I reckon if I keep searching I’ll find a left-over egg or two, or, if I’m lucky, maybe three.

I might be ancient, but that doesn’t stop me from acting like a kid.  If I want to be a female Peter Pan, I will be…so the hunt continues without embarrassment.

My many bird mates told me they intended to don their Easter bird costumes, and grab their baskets loaded with chocolate eggs for me come the time. Having faith in them, I feel sure they wouldn’t lie to me. Would they?  My relentless search continues.

In the meantime, while taking a break and enjoying a mug of coffee here’s an update for you. Clint Lindt once again displayed stoic resilience. In the aftermath of Christmas night’s disastrous event, the power outage, and no refrigeration for a lengthy period, Clint Lindt, clad in his gold outfit, stood coolly firm, unruffled, with his ears standing at high alert while all else around him suffered dire consequences. Alone he stood, not shedding an ounce of sweat; not melting in the heat.  And, there he remains, as he has for ages, smiling at me every time I open the fridge.  His welcoming wink proves he has faith in me, knowing I’ll never eat him.

Easter came and went, but I didn’t do without. I found some hot cross buns hiding in the freezer for a rainy or non-rainy day. Magically, a couple of Cherry Ripes appeared on the top shelf. I wonder how that happened!  All was not lost even if the eggs were, and remain so.

What an exciting life I lead, you must be thinking.  It may not be to everyone’s taste or desire, but I’ve had enough excitement through the years to last me. A quiet, peaceful existence is what I seek. 

My goodness!  St. Patrick’s Day crept up on me before I realised Paddy was about to pat me on the back to announce his arrival, inviting me to join him in Riverdance. I should be ashamed, seeing my paternal heritage is Northern Irish.  To add to the confusion, I’m of Scottish heritage on my maternal side, and I missed the Scottish New Year.  The Celtic New Year originally was celebrated on November 1^st.  Then, until 1600, the Gregorian calendar, which was used in Scotland at the time, declared New Year was 25^th March.   

Wait!  If that’s not enough to bamboozle you, there’s more. 1^st April was Hunt the Gowk Day.  It was a day folk played tricks and told fibs to trick each other.  The jokes had to cease at mid-day.  Does that sound familiar?  1^st April is now called “April Fool’s Day”, if you hadn’t already caught on.  Further still, Preen-tail Day or Tailie Day is the 2^nd April…the day following April Fool’s Day; a day when paper tails were attached to the backs of unsuspecting people.  So, as a head’s up, watch your back on 2^nd April!  It’s all a bit of harmless fun with no maliciousness intended.

Recently I was thrilled to bits.  I succeeded to achieve something I’ve never managed to make a fellow human do. One of my cheeky little butcher bird buddies ate out of my hand a couple of times.  Topping that off, a day or so later, he strolled right up to the entrance of my abode.  For a moment I thought he was going to wander inside, but he stopped, Staring up at me…straight in my eyes…he absorbed in every word I uttered, seemingly understanding what I was saying to him.

Now, it’s back to my search.  Guess what!!!!!  Whoo-hoo!!! My lucky day!

Yummy Chocolate Puddings: Preheat oven 200C. Grease 6x4.5cm-deep, 8cm (base), 1/2-cup-capacity ovenproof ramekins with melted butter. Line bases with baking paper. Place on baking tray. Combine 200g 70% cocoa dark chocolate, 150g chopped butter and 1/3^rd cup brown sugar in heatproof bowl; set over a saucepan of simmering water, making sure base of bowl doesn’t touch the water. Heat, stirring constantly, 3mins, or until melted and smooth. Remove from heat; set aside to cool 2mins. Add 4 lightly beaten eggs to mixture, whisking until combined.  Sift over 1/4c plain flour; whisk until combined. Divide mixture evenly between prepared ramekins.  Bake 12mins, or until a crust has formed on top, but puddings are still wobbly to touch in centre. Remove from oven; stand to cool 2mins. Run a small knife around edge of puddings to loosen. Gently turn onto serving plates. Serve immediately with ice-cream, fresh strawberries or raspberries and grated chocolate.    Enjoy!