Writing about whatever comes to mind

What started as a simple WordPress blog chronicling the renovation of a flat in Budapest has grown legs.
I had no plan for it, other than to keep interested parties around the world informed of what I was up to. My postage budget had been diverted to paint and time was in short supply; blogging seemed an efficient way to stay in touch.
Thirteen years later, it is an intrinsic part of what I do. I write about life in Hungary, the country in which I finally got to unpack my bottom drawer.
I write about my travels, about music, food, spirituality, politics, life, death, cemeteries. I write about whatever comes to mind. There is no plan.
If you’ve just found me, welcome to a work in progress. Feel free to engage, to comment, to add to what I’ve written. Let’s chat.
Note:
If you notice something not working, please email steve@zala.ie and let us know.

My most recent posts

2025 Grateful 36: Obsessive fear
Eager to continue the tradition of attending a dawn mass on Easter Sunday, but not wanting to do the usual without mam, we headed to

2025 Grateful 37: Bags
Paper grocery bags are a very American thing. I saw it all the time on the telly. They come in from the grocery store with

2025 Grateful 38: Five years later
I woke up to this on Saturday morning. And smiled. Happy. It’s a lampshade. A hand-painted majolika piece from Hungary that I bought from a

2025 Grateful 39: Three women
I had a lovely note the other day from a good friend, JG in England. She sent a photo of flowers she had planted in