New Year's Eve today. Still not 100% after the Turkey & Tinsel and still taking Imodium, I have once again severely reduced my food intake. I think my first cup of coffee in ages set me off again yesterday. Shame, since I really like coffee. I shall also have to avoid all the fruit remaining in the house and may offer it to my neighbour upstairs.
The usual dire offerings from the telly, so shall probably watch one of the Bigas Luna collection DVDs which have arrived today. Although it has some rather sexy scenes, I seem to remember that the only one I have seen - Jamon, jamon - was rather good and very funny in parts. We shall see. I have been urged by an anonymous commentator to acquaint myself with Re-animator, so shall look it out. The DVD I am totally after is La Communidad, which I hope will arrive shortly. I have ordered several other DVDs today so am looking forward to some lazy evenings. I shall have to get a new telly next since the one I have is far too enormous.
In the evening I became very unwell and stayed in bed watching TV, doubled up in severe abdominal pain all night. I decided that the only thing was to rest, so I lay there, sipping water occasionally. I could have done with a hot water bottle to hug, but must have got thrown my last one away. I must buy one of those lavender sacks you can heat in the microwave as it would have helped. The noise outside was amazing - at midnight I could hear the fireworks, then lots of shouting later, then someone walking around beating a drum for ages.
This morning the pain is rather less, but I think I shall have to stick to water alone for the next few days and not take any more Imodium. I am not at all sure what is going on but can only hope for an eventual recovery and meanwhile, stay in bed.
Monday, 31 December 2007
Sunday, 30 December 2007
New Jewels and Drinkies
Rang Dorothy last night. Temperature down, throat still v. nasty, and quite crabby which is usually a sign of recovery.
I found someone called Freya on Ebay who makes hand-made jewellery. Quite expensive, but they are all semiprecious or precious stones, bound with gold-filled wire and set in vermeil. bought a pendant of pink and green tourmaline which was very intricate, and encouraged by the excellent craftsmanship, have bought myself another Christmas present of a pair of very elaborate earrings in amethyst, moss amethyst and chrome diopside. I do like a combination of greens and purples. She also has a gorgeous pair of earrings in corally kind of pink, mixed with small pink sapphire beads and large turquoise stones of something called Larimar, which comes from the Caribbean. Very tempting for the summer. I think her shop is called Tiger Burning Bright.
My Chairman and his wife have just been around for drinks to admire my new sitting room. They brought some Christmas biscuits and jams and jellies, always much appreciated.
I found someone called Freya on Ebay who makes hand-made jewellery. Quite expensive, but they are all semiprecious or precious stones, bound with gold-filled wire and set in vermeil. bought a pendant of pink and green tourmaline which was very intricate, and encouraged by the excellent craftsmanship, have bought myself another Christmas present of a pair of very elaborate earrings in amethyst, moss amethyst and chrome diopside. I do like a combination of greens and purples. She also has a gorgeous pair of earrings in corally kind of pink, mixed with small pink sapphire beads and large turquoise stones of something called Larimar, which comes from the Caribbean. Very tempting for the summer. I think her shop is called Tiger Burning Bright.
My Chairman and his wife have just been around for drinks to admire my new sitting room. They brought some Christmas biscuits and jams and jellies, always much appreciated.
Friday, 28 December 2007
Poor Old Ex
'Dagon' is absolute rubbish and not all that scary. Quite unintentionally funny in bits, though. I had remembered it being better in Spain. Months of watching DVDs every night there obviously blunted any sense of discrimination I may have had. Shows the dumbing down effect of isolation. In Spain I tended to watch mainly Spanish and French films as I liked them more than the American ones.
My first ex husband turned up today. We had a short drink in the local while he expressed a desire to reacquaint himself with the rest of the family. Poor chap has been mentally ill for many years and has gradually fallen out with everyone because of his behaviour, suddenly starting to get aggressive and shouting at people. Not least of his problems is that he smells appalling as he never washes and wears the same clothes for years. Actually I am not sure he never washes, but his clothes absolutely reek. Despite my plucking up the courage to mention this on several occasions old bad habits have died hard, and he seems incapable of changing his ways, but it is a bit of a shame as I think the smell and general filth explains his inability to find friends. I have tried buying him new clothes, but he will not throw the old ones away. This year I could not bring myself to have him in the house. When he came around last year the place seemed to stink for days, literally.
He seems to have lost weight but told me he does not eat at all in the day - just drinks lots of black coffee and eats a meal in the evening. The only reason I see him is that I send him some money every year and I think he feels he has to see me to thank me. Next year I shall have to pretend to be too busy. It was suggested that I stop sending the money, but I suspect it is the only present he gets, so don't want to do this.
What is strange is that when I met him he was a young student at Oxford, very dapper and often wearing embroidered waistcoats as was the fashion then. He took great care with his appearance. It is so sad to see him now, remembering how he once was.
My first ex husband turned up today. We had a short drink in the local while he expressed a desire to reacquaint himself with the rest of the family. Poor chap has been mentally ill for many years and has gradually fallen out with everyone because of his behaviour, suddenly starting to get aggressive and shouting at people. Not least of his problems is that he smells appalling as he never washes and wears the same clothes for years. Actually I am not sure he never washes, but his clothes absolutely reek. Despite my plucking up the courage to mention this on several occasions old bad habits have died hard, and he seems incapable of changing his ways, but it is a bit of a shame as I think the smell and general filth explains his inability to find friends. I have tried buying him new clothes, but he will not throw the old ones away. This year I could not bring myself to have him in the house. When he came around last year the place seemed to stink for days, literally.
He seems to have lost weight but told me he does not eat at all in the day - just drinks lots of black coffee and eats a meal in the evening. The only reason I see him is that I send him some money every year and I think he feels he has to see me to thank me. Next year I shall have to pretend to be too busy. It was suggested that I stop sending the money, but I suspect it is the only present he gets, so don't want to do this.
What is strange is that when I met him he was a young student at Oxford, very dapper and often wearing embroidered waistcoats as was the fashion then. He took great care with his appearance. It is so sad to see him now, remembering how he once was.
Julian, Dorothy and Food Processor
Friday. Last night I went to see Ennio Marchetto with Julian and Michiko. Dear Michiko brought me a gift, a cute little pannetone from Patisserie Valerie. Julian was looking very smart indeed in a black, grey and white checked coat with black velvet collar which she had purchased in the Vivienne Westwood sale. The show was absolutely great - rapid changes between 'personalities' - one often merging into another - I loved the transformation of Kylie into the Singing Nun. Very funny. Such a shame Dorothy could not be there. We must book when Ennio is in London again. I shall ring later to check on Dorothy's progress.
I have rung and left messages but no reply from Julian or Dorothy so I shall have to continue to worry. Malvolio has just clawed my leg in a vain attempt to obtain an early dinner.
I went in to John Lewis today intending to buy a Magimix, but could not lift it up. In the end I bought the John Lewis food processor, a bit lighter, but had to drag it to the taxi rank. I don't see why they have to be so heavy. Some years ago I had a super little light one which worked perfectly well. This John Lewis one is a bit beyond me with complicated instructions. Used as a simple food processor and not for grating or slicing it is not too bad though, but rather a clumsy design when it comes to getting the lid on or off. In the end I gave up on the pheasant pie, and just mushed the pheasant up with cooked vegetables, a couple of onions and the gravy and made a kind of babyfood version which looks revolting but tastes quite good actually.
A DVD of a Spanish film 'Dagon' arrived today. I seem to remember it is some kind of horror film involving mutants living in a fishing village on a remote island. Shall reacquaint myself with it later. Actually the cast is Spanish but the director appears to be Stuart Gordon, creator of 'Re-Animator', whatever that is.
Julian rang me back to say Dorothy is OK despite a very high temperature again last night. I shan't be happy until Dorothy is completely recovered.
I have rung and left messages but no reply from Julian or Dorothy so I shall have to continue to worry. Malvolio has just clawed my leg in a vain attempt to obtain an early dinner.
I went in to John Lewis today intending to buy a Magimix, but could not lift it up. In the end I bought the John Lewis food processor, a bit lighter, but had to drag it to the taxi rank. I don't see why they have to be so heavy. Some years ago I had a super little light one which worked perfectly well. This John Lewis one is a bit beyond me with complicated instructions. Used as a simple food processor and not for grating or slicing it is not too bad though, but rather a clumsy design when it comes to getting the lid on or off. In the end I gave up on the pheasant pie, and just mushed the pheasant up with cooked vegetables, a couple of onions and the gravy and made a kind of babyfood version which looks revolting but tastes quite good actually.
A DVD of a Spanish film 'Dagon' arrived today. I seem to remember it is some kind of horror film involving mutants living in a fishing village on a remote island. Shall reacquaint myself with it later. Actually the cast is Spanish but the director appears to be Stuart Gordon, creator of 'Re-Animator', whatever that is.
Julian rang me back to say Dorothy is OK despite a very high temperature again last night. I shan't be happy until Dorothy is completely recovered.
Thursday, 27 December 2007
Winterval Lull
Another very quiet day. Poor Dorothy even worse this morning with a temp of 104F. Fortunately this is now down to 100F. It really does sound like a nasty infection. Julian and I are going to Ennio Marchetto with a friend of hers as Dorothy is so unwell and must remain in bed.
I have recommenced the piles of washing which seem endless and trying to decide what to do with the remains of the Christmas food. I did make quite a decent pheasant soup, some of which I had for lunch. I may well purchase a food processor tomorrow. I have been meaning to do this for so long and keep being unable to make things because I don't have one. I could make a pheasant shepherd's pie. Might be interesting and it's not something I have tried before. I don't see why it shouldn't be very good indeed.
It is getting colder again outside. I rang Miss Bettaware. Since I now have a funeral to attend on 11th, I may travel up to Clacton in the morning of 12th, and stay overnight, returning on the Sunday afternoon. All subject to Julian being able to catsit, of course.
Spoke to Dorian, who is going to Barcelona on the way to Mahon tomorrow and looking for a restaurant near the port. Since Can Majo does not open until 8.30pm and they are getting the 9.45 ferry, they will probably go to Set Portes, as it starts serving at 7pm. If they book and stick to one course they should be OK.
Wednesday, 26 December 2007
Good Christmas But Boxing Day 'Flu
Dorothy and Julian arrived bearing gifts, food and drink. I was rather worried about feeding them as they are accustomed to eating in decent restaurants. However, the pheasants were fine, also the roast potatoes, and I managed not to overcook the baby carrots, parsnips, petits pois, and brussels sprouts with chestnuts. We stuck to sparkling white wine and finished off with one of Marco's puds: a kind of semifreddo with nuts and praline with a fruit sauce. We vegetated around and altogether, had a good day.
They were due to reappear today but I just had a call from Julian to say that Dorothy had become quite ill and developed really bad 'flu symptoms. I panicked when Dorothy said the temp. had risen to 102F, but had subsided a bit since. I persuaded Dorothy to take aspirin and drink plenty of fluids and if the temp did not go down satisfactorily, to ring NHS Direct immediately. I do hope my advice will be taken. I shall just have to wait and see how Dorothy is tomorrow.
They were due to reappear today but I just had a call from Julian to say that Dorothy had become quite ill and developed really bad 'flu symptoms. I panicked when Dorothy said the temp. had risen to 102F, but had subsided a bit since. I persuaded Dorothy to take aspirin and drink plenty of fluids and if the temp did not go down satisfactorily, to ring NHS Direct immediately. I do hope my advice will be taken. I shall just have to wait and see how Dorothy is tomorrow.
Monday, 24 December 2007
Speeding Towards Christmas
Feeling a bit better. Had some scrambled egg and toast last night.
Well, it's Christmas Eve and I have polished the silver, iced the cake, cooked and peeled some chestnuts, done masses of washing and more shopping. Ocado sent some very bruised pears, no good for a Christmas fruit bowl, and some dark green bananas which will take ages to ripen. Despite this I have managed to assemble a large bowl of fruit, see above.
Madeleine rang to say she had met the long lost relatives, and was due to introduce them to her sisters in the New Year. Maybe I shall meet some of mine next year. We shall see.
I am toying with the idea of going up to Soho for a last minute look. Perhaps I can find some marrons glacees for Dorothy. Or not. The alternative is a visit to Marks & Spencer in Walworth Road. Not sure of the transport situation since the traffic sounds very quiet outside. I heard someone on TV say Ken should provide transport on Christmas day for all the people visiting family and friends, and workers, who would all have to hire private cars. It seems that Christmas day public transport is provided in all other major cities. I can't remember how long it has been missing in London, but was always there years ago, albeit a Sunday service. The assumption seems to be that everyone has a car, which is ridiculous, especially in a city which is supposed to be discouraging private car ownership.
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