MONTY PYTHON SAID IT BEST - KNOW WHAT I MEAN? NUDGE, NUDGE! SAY NO MORE…

From a false sense of superiority there are some folk who look down their long, sloping noses at others. Mount Everest turns green with envy at the haughty, elongated inclines. Snow skiers are keen to tackle the sloping descents. The length of such facial protuberances put Pinocchio to shame.  

Pinocchio, the puppet who desperately wanted to be a real boy; Pinocchio whom we grew to love even as the mischievous marionette’s nose grew in length as a result of his propensity for telling porkies with regular intensity. Pinocchio, through no fault of his own, was naively unprepared for the real world.

In the beginning Pinocchio’s life was a tragedy. Called a ‘disgrace’; a ‘rascal’; an ‘imp’, his was a life that started out being a warning to others. Even though his life was in the hands of others - the ones who pulled the strings – Pinocchio remained woodenly stoic. 

I was an “Imp” in my Brownie pack when I was kid.  Fortunately, I escaped the noose. 

Sadly, no such luck for hapless, pathetic Pinocchio. 

His stress-filled existence provided the hangman employment. Hangmen were kept busy back in those days, and through the ensuing years.

The swinging safari lasted even longer than the obscene guillotine. Swinging, although still not officially terminated, kind of came to the end of its tether in 1996.  Chop-chop was formally axed in September, 1981 - would you believe?  

So behave yourselves, folks…no looking down your noses at others.  A finer, preferable choice - a more rewarding option - is to become a Disney favourite. 

Walt Disney came to Pinocchio’s rescue in 1940.  Walt was a caring man. His heart was large, filled with love and fun.

Three years earlier in 1937, Walt had become good friends with Snow White and her roomies.

Inspired by that friendship Mr. Disney felt he should do similar with beleaguered Pino. 

Be mindful if a cricket pays you a visit to treat it kindly.  Pinocchio would’ve been lost if not for his mate Jiminy’s wise guidance.  Your cricket visitor could very well be Jiminy Cricket’s great-grandson.  Jiminy was a chirpy little fellow, one who believed in admirable qualities -truth, morality and worthiness. A cricket never comes to harm if it enters my space.  It’s greeted like an old friend, a good friend…shown due respect and consideration.

Pinocchio’s nose, although it grew in length when he lied, was straight. It not being sloped allowed others to be on a level playing field with Tuscany’s conflicted puppet.

Pinocchio had been brought to life by the blue fairy who was feeling in the pink on that special day. Being eye to eye with Pinocchio, even if at a distance caused by his extended nose, enabled him and his nose to be pulled back into line – something for which he was grateful.  

Each of us, at one time or another, has met someone stricken with a long sloping snout – a proboscis from which they gain pleasure looking down.  In extreme cases a crane - not of the feathered variety – would be essential to lift the offending schnozzle off the ground.  

To quote Monty Python once more:-

“Always look on the bright side of life. Always look on the light side of life.”

Being unjustly judgmental and audaciously presumptuous aren’t commendable traits.  Unless we remain attentive and considerate - ignorant, undesirable traits easily become unattractive, hard-to-be-rid-of habits…

Glazed Pork Chops: Preheat oven 204C. Season 4, bone-in, 2.5cm thick pork chops. Melt 2tbs butter in pan over med-high heat; add chops; sear both sides, 2-3mins. Place in oven; roast about 8-10mins. Make glaze: combine 1/4c balsamic vinegar, 3tbs honey, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2tsp each dried oregano, basil and thyme, and a pinch of chilli, optional, in saucepan over med-heat; season to taste; Bring to boil; reduce heat; simmer until slightly thickened. Spread glaze over chops; serve.

Italian Baked Lamb Chops: Preheat oven 175C.  Drizzle 1tbs x-virgin olive oil in baking dish; on top, evenly layer 1 sliced tomato, 1sliced onion and 2 chopped garlic cloves. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and 1/2c grated Romano cheese. Lay 4 lamb chops (loin or shoulder) in a single layer. It’s okay if they are snug; they’ll shrink as they bake. Drizzle with 1tbs olive oil, and then add another layer of sliced tomatoes, sliced onion and chopped garlic. Sprinkle with 2tsp Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and more grated Romano cheese. Bake 40mins; then increase temp to 190C; drizzle chops with 1/4c dry white wine. Return to oven, bake 15 mins.

Pinot Okey Dokey: Bring 240ml pinot noir and 1/2c sugar to boil; cook until reduced by half; cool, then chill. Combine 1/4c tequila, 2tbs lime juice, chilled pinot syrup and 1tbs Cointreau in ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously – the shaker, not you; pour entire contents into glass. Serve with a lime wedge, if desired.