This morning I woke up feeling very woozly indeed, and realised that I had probably by accident taken twice my normal (thankfully low) dose of sleeping medication. Very stupid, and I’ve put in place measures to make sure this doesn’t happen again.
The result was that I had a slow but nonetheless pleasant and surprisingly productive morning. There was some baking (another batch of bread; an experimental banana and cinnamon cake using the zero-waste chef’s vegan carrot cake recipe); some cleaning (it’s Friday, ergo cleaning morning); and some email catch-up.
Then this afternoon we had another tea-time visit from an older family member, in the garden (braving the blustery wind). We all find these outdoor visits so much easier than the phone calls where there’s often frankly very little to say to each other. I can confirm that the banana cake (made because 2 bananas we bought last week were past their best, and the oven was on anyway for the bread) was very delicious. Another keeper. The recipe that is – I doubt the cake will last long.
Watering the allotment in cooler weather was much more pleasant, almost meditative in quality. I have recovered my equilibrium enough to tell you how upset I was yesterday to find that the hens had managed to get into where I have my sweetcorn plants, along with two courgettes and four cucumbers. The cucumbers were undamaged, the courgettes possibly salvaged, but I will be very surprised if the sweetcorn survives. I may re-sow, or perhaps buy replacement plants if there are any to be had. On the plus side, the first of the courgette flowers is open, and the last of the asparagus spears will be cut tomorrow. It’s all looking very promising.
First of the year…..
….. and last of the year
My weekly cultural newsletter has been on hold for almost a fortnight, and I’ve decided to continue it as an occasional thing, only when I feel like it. In truth I’m not often feeling the love right now, partly because I have more to do than I have time to do it (and count myself fortunate to be in that position). Mornings are for activity, usually outdoors. Afternoons are probably my best chance to do something cultural, because by the time the evening comes I usually just don’t have it in me. But there are a few things in this week’s newsletter that I will make a special effort to do over the next fortnight. In case you’re interested, they are:
- The Hay Festival events, which are now all available online. A feast to dip into, if ever there was one
- Malcolm came across The Cellist, from Royal Opera House till 11 June. It’s a ballet based on the life of Jacqueline du Pre
- While I’m not really in the mood for this week’s offering from NT (Coriolanus), I’m definitely looking forward to next week’s which is The Madness of George III from 11-18 June. Like all of Alan Bennett’s plays, this should be a treat.
As ever, I urge you to donate where you can.
Also as ever, I hope this finds you well, and that I will see you again tomorrow xx
the magic jug 