San Diego 2020: Shake, rattle and roll: Johannesburg 1988: Negative nostalgia.
We returned from a 7-mile city walk/hike in San Diego in weather that was both balmy and extremely hot. Because of the scenes on our walk, it triggered thoughts of my brother Mark, affectionately known as Punks, for reasons unknown. However, he’s happy with the ‘pet-name’ and so are all who like him…both of them. It also brought Mario Baptista into the picture, a man introduced to me by Punks some forty years ago. Mario is a rare person: a gentleman, kind, honorable and a true friend. Two youngsters, especially at the time of the story, are our children Gavin and Natalie, aged 8 and 6 respectively. The first incident took place in Johannesburg in January 1988 at which time, a main character, Jenni, was with child. (Some may know that is one of my favorite phrases…so what.) Robert, at the time, was in utero. Apparently, he was the shy type but fortunately, not claustrophobic. (Continues at end) As always, one comes upon these without warning. We think he had a silencer fitted to his...