Who is La Bellina Mammina?
I can reveal only this. According to Dumdad, my good friend and former fellow Englishman in Paris (the "former" in my description relates to geography since he is still there and still English), she writes delightfully about family life in Singapore.
But she does so behind that rare cyberspace phenomenon, the hidden blog. Mortals not in the loop discover this when they attempt to share the joy Dumdad takes in La Bellina's musings, only to run into a solid Blogspot wall.
Tantalising snippets can be found by searching the name of the blog - THE (MAD) HOUSEHOLD OF LA BELLINA MAMMINA - on Google. The first reference I came across mentioned that she has three boys. Another seemed to invite internet surfers to "join us on our rollercoaster ride each day". But that is as far as you can go when trying to enter La Bellina's mad world.
A stern notice from Blogspot explains why. "This blog is open to invited readers only."
One route seemed open: logging on to the same Google account that enables me to use Gmail. Thwarted again! And put firmly in my place with these words: "It doesn't look like you have been invited to read this blog. If you think this is a mistake, you might want to contact the blog author and request an invitation."
That might appear straightforward enough. But nowhere on the page could I find any means of making that contact.
La Bellina, of course, is fully entitled to restrict access to her site. Dumdad, a warm and hugely entertaining blogger himself, is among her invited guests and if he says she is good, that is enough for me.
And while this is a little like adding a new dimension to blind tastings, I am happy to add my own congratulations to Dumdad's. For La Bellina and I are now kindred spirits in his own world, each of us a grateful recipient of the kind words and joint award for services to blogging with which he chose to mark his 99th posting.
I could warm to this awards business. Being a prize blogger, even if no prizes are actually presented, certainly beats being a failed folk singer.
But I am straying off piste. Back to Dumdad and those of his recommended sites that are more readily open to our gaze. It seems as good an occasion as any to pass on his to pass on his nominations:
* PIFFLE: Diana has a very similar avatar to mine and that is how I first stumbled across her excellent blog.
* SPINDRIFT AND DREAMS: Wonderful title and Voyager takes her readers on marvellous trips around the world - and all free. Great value.
* EVERYTHING AND NOTHING: Akelamalu proclaims her blog is “everything and nothing.” She’s half-right – it’s got everything and more besides. It’s packed full of wit and wisdom and good clean fun.
* A SNOWBALL’S CHANCE IN …: Jen picks great song titles and her blog is must-see.
* CONFESSIONS OF A ROTTEN CORRESPONDENT: Rotten Correspondent is an ER nurse and is actually a Great Correspondent.
* JO BEAUFOIX: Once the ostrich grabs you it never lets you go.
* THE (MAD) HOUSEHOLD OF LA BELLINA MAMMINA: As discussed...........
* MISSING YOU ALREADY: Mya’s a funny lady – I still haven’t quite got over her mother-in-law posts nor the nunchaku gag.
* MOUSE MEDICINE: A gentle blog packed with thought-provoking quotes and photos, and Maurice said I had to give an award to Kimy.
* SEA VIEW COTTAGE: Martin’s posts are nearly always cheerful and always unexpected. Fulham lad, too, so that’s a bonus.
* ICELAND WEATHER REPORT: Enchanting tales from Niceland. A blog that weathers well.
* LAURIE: Read all about her days at the Duluth News-Tribune and also her Russian adventures.
* LETTUCE: This blog is packed with great photos and an interesting take on life. Plus amphibians – I suggest you hop over and check it out.
STOP PRESS: By checking out one of the above sites - which I hope some Salut! readers will also do - I accidentally found a way of applying to join La Bellina's inner circle. Watch this space.....
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