I had learnt her whole character, which was without mystery or disguise: she was coquettish but not heartless; exacting, but not worthlessly selfish.

These ties not only hold the cheese together but they become a gauge for applying the 'kackling' in the next stage – so make sure that they are exactly 1/8th of the circumference apart.

For example, an Italian woman named Laura Mesi recently drew supportive nods, raised eyebrows, and media attention aplenty for her sologamy ritual. With 70 guests, a wedding cake, a honeymoon (solomoon?) in Egypt, and presumably a huge bill, Mesi’s commitment to herself had every trapping of a “normal” wedding — except a partner.

How long will you lie there, O lazybones? When will you rise from your sleep?