I was posting a present for my sister when the lady in the post office said she had parcels for me. Not one parcel, but two.  I was surprised. Sure, my birthday is tomorrow but I had not anticipated any deliveries this week.

1. So much mail  goes missing here that I have advised people not to risk dispatch
2. 58 is not really a red letter birthday
3.  I have asked my friends and family not to give me anything but to make me happy by supporting a young woman I know. Emilia has been offered a place to study veterinary medicine at Cambridge this fall, and needs to close a $10,000 gap in her tuition funds. You can help her with $10 here.

The boxes were light–but sizeable. Hard to see over the top of them. I got a taxi home.

The first box contained 30 packs of a world-leading crisp–Tayto Cheese N Onion, made in Tandragee, Northern Ireland. The sell-by date was March 2018– this was the box ordered by my sister for Christmas delivery last year. I ate a packet–slightly soft, but nonetheless delicious. I began to divine the contest of the second box–30 more packets of tasty Tayto. The sell-by date–May 2018–indicated this was the second shipment dispatched by Tayto when my sister complained about the non-arrival of the first. I ate a packet–oh sublime flavor and crunch.

We gave up hope of box number one about Easter last year, and wept at the loss of box two as spring came and went. What luck they should arrive intact this week–happy birthday to me.

At time of writing I have 29 packets of stale crisps, and 29 packets in peak condition. I’ll perk up the contents of box number one in a medium oven for 3-5 minutes –a little moisture won’t stand between me and my Tayto.

I would ask you round for a crisp sandwich–but I’m not sure I have quite enough to go round.

Thanks to the good people of Tayto Castle, Tandragee, Co. Armagh for their product which was invented a year or two before I was born. (Yes, I am old enough to remember when the Salt N Vinegar packs contained little, blue, wax paper screws of salt, and when all Tayto products were fried in lard). Thanks to them too for shipping to Armenia–and replacing the first box that went astray. Thanks to my sister for organizing the first care package. I fear my parcel belatedly dispatched to her today can’t compare with the starch-laden bounty she gifted to me. I am less alone in the Caucasus when surrounded by Ireland’s favorite crisp. Thanks to you too for supporting Emilia’s fundraiser–she has brains, she has opportunity, she has a great career ahead of her. But she doesn’t have Tayto. She needs all the help she can get. https://www.gofundme.com/m69r7-university-of-cambridge-tuition