May 10, 2003
Free Mukka
Last night was another Whist evening, over at the perfect house. I came in second place, I do play a mean game of Whist, but Han is truly gifted, and always 'wins'.
All in all, it was a typical evening of card playing, except for one event. Now, when we are playing cards, everyone justs speaks their own language, so you have three people speaking Dutch, me speaking English. After all of these years I can follow normal, ABN Dutch without even pausing for thought. Of course, Bureaucratic Dutch is another matter.
And so it was odd when a word came up that totally floored me. I had no idea what it meant. None.
We had just dealt the cards and as we put them in order in our hands, Tom mentioned that in a few days he would be going to a big party. 'Oh', I said, 'Isn't that Bitsy's cousin ? Do you think Bitsy will be there ?' ( note : Bitsy used to be a part of our 'group' 20 years ago and right now, I will confess, I am not a saint, I never liked her ).
He said yes, he rather imagined that she would be. Why, he hadn't seen Bitsy for years, most likely she's become quite a mukka.
Mukka, I asked, what's a mukka ? The way that you are using the word, it sounds like you mean a whale.
Have you ever gone to a concert given by a group that you are not familiar with ? You know, how when the first note of the next song is played and everyone around you stands up and is clapping and cheering and you are left sitting in your chair, smiling politely, wondering what is going on ? That is what happened next.
'Moby Dick, great White Mukka' said Han, and the three of them collapsed in laughter.
' Relax to the sounds of Mukkas singing, a two CD set' he continued.
'Mukka Watch'
Then, looking at Tom and Cecile, he said 'Free...', and all three of them joined in : ' Mukka !'
Tears rolling down their cheeks, I tell you, as I sat there holding my cards in my hand, smiling politely.
Mukka, or more correctly Moeke sort of means 'motherly person'. Like an Italian Mama, Han added helpfully. Large, wearing an apron and a flowered dress, Cecile said. She makes her own soup, said Tom, and it always tastes better the second day.
Yes, and they did agree that Bitsy probably had become a classic Moeke.
Posted by at May 10, 2003 04:40 PM