No country is free unless it is democratic.
- Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (1881-1938)

Today is Ataturk Memorial Day, the first time in all my years in Turkey when I have not attended the commemoration service at school. Fortunately, if that's the right word, it was an online event this year due to the pandemic restrictions, so I was able to watch the ceremony, via the school's YouTube channel which included a song composed by my dear colleague, Koray. 

The rest of the day passed very quietly, including an afternoon nap outside by the pool, nodding off in the warm (25ºC) sunshine, and the first time I have baked a cake this century.  

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (Hurriyet Daily News)