EBONY AND IVORY...BLACK AND WHITE, AND SHADES OF GREY

As much as we’d prefer life to be otherwise, things aren’t always black and white...my male cat, Remy, being the exception, of course.  Shama, his sister, is grey, black and white...a tabby, just to mix it up a bit.

Shades of grey...perhaps not as many as 50...frequently lighten the black and, darken the white. 

Life would be much easier, I guess, if we could please others all of the time...but that is impossible.  Also a part of life...a part of living...is we don’t always have to agree with another, or others...on all topics.. all of the time.  We each have our own individual feelings and thoughts...or should have.  I’m sure life would be pretty damn boring if everyone agreed on everything. 

Keys on a piano are ebony and ivory...until the piano grows as old as I am, then the ivory keys turn a shade of mellow yellow, or extreme cream.  I’ll bellow and scream if I turn cream.  If I turn as sallow as a tallow candle, I’ll behave like a callow, uncouth youth!   

My hair has turned grey, though...but I don’t mind at all. It is what it is...it is what it is meant to be. 

I doubt there is one among us who hasn’t told a fib.  You know you have.  You will do so again when cornered in a situation that calls for one.  To be honest, like you, I’ve fibbed.  I’d be fibbing if I said I’ve never told a fib. 

For example...you’re feeling like “excreta” (you know what I mean without a further detailed explanation) and, someone asks; “How are you?” 

“I’m fine, thanks!”  Is the perky reply you give with a smile, even if you...or I...are/am...feeling like death warmed up!  (I wonder what “death warmed up” feels like. If anyone knows, please enlighten the rest of us.  Perhaps a séance is needed). 

Speaking on my own behalf I have no desire to reply in lengthy detail.  No doubt an extended, detailed report would bore the enquirer, making him/her feel sorry he/she asked the question.  So, a fib it is, if we're not feeling like the sharpest knife in the drawer at that particular moment.

Actually, by fibbing, one does the person who asked the question a favour!  Their relief is almost tangible!  Did you hear their sigh?  If the truth need be told, they really don’t want a long-winded, protracted account.

When I managed the resort on the tropical paradise, known as Hinchinbrook Island, I learned quickly not to ask a particular young staff member how she was. Without fail, never missing a beat, the 21 year old lass’ reply was always given in minute, maudlin detail, taking longer than a minute to relate. She had every ache and pain under the sun....and there were many sunny days on the island!  

Her woeful reply, always told in a whiny voice, was enough to bring tears to the eyes of the enquirer.  Dodging asking how she was, her workmates fibbed, and gave excuses to make their quick exits...rapid escapes...when in her presence.   

The young woman had no ailments. The only malady she had was she loved to whinge in an effort to receive sympathy, I imagine, as she’d shuffle into the staff room for breakfast still dressed in her flannel or chenille dressing gown, with fluffy slippers on her feet...on a tropical island, for goodness sake! 

That was taking “different strokes for different folks” to a whole different level!

There’s nothing new about a fib.  It’s much older than your years and mine combined. 

The word “fib”, and its meaning, originated in the mid-16^th century when “fib” became the short-form for “fibble-fable” aka “nonsense”. 

And then, there is the “white lie”...a step-up from a fib.  A white lie is told out of politeness so as not to hurt the feelings of another, or others.

Again, I doubt there is anyone who hasn’t told a white lie when a situation begs for one.

However, in my opinion, blatant, deceitful lying is abhorrent.  If you’re thinking of telling a lie, take a Bex, and have a lie down before doing so. Hopefully, the urge will disappear.

Lying is offensive and demeaning behaviour.   

So is littering.  Seeing litter on the roadside...and elsewhere...makes my blood boil!

Both are blots on society...and that’s no fibble-fabble!

Laughter, kindness, generosity of spirit, consideration for, and goodwill towards others are not fibble-fabble.  That’s no fib, either....it’s as simple, and as clear as black and white....

 

Creamy Chicken with Spinach and Bacon: Heat 2tsp olive oil in pan over med-heat. Season 6 boneless, skinned chicken thighs/chicken breasts on both sides; sear in pan 5-8mins until cooked through. Once cooked, remove from pan; set aside. Melt 2tbs butter in cooking juices. Add 1 small, diced onion and 6 finely-diced garlic cloves; fry 1-2mins. Add 1/3c chicken stock (or dry white wine); reduce slightly. Add 1/2c chopped crispy bacon; fry1-2mins. Reduce heat to low; add 1-3/4c heavy cream; bring to gentle simmer;; lower heat to avoid sauce separation. Add 1tsp Italian seasoning; add salt and pepper to taste; add 3c spinach leaves; add 1/2c grated Parmesan. Simmer 1min until cheese melts. For thicker sauce add cornflour mix (1tsp cornflour plus 1tbs water).  Add the chicken to sauce; sprinkle with crushed chilli flakes (optional); serve over pasta or rice.

Creamy Tuscan Prawns: Sauté 1 chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves until golden and translucent. Add 700g peeled prawns; fry until pink and opaque. Don’t over-cook; remove prawns, leaving onion in pan; add 1-1/4c heavy cream, 3tbs dry white wine, 30g finely-chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and 1tbs Italian seasoning; add 85g shredded Parmesan; lower heat. Simmer until creamy consistency; add 2tbs chopped fresh parsley, 85g spinach and prawns; simmer just until everything is warm. 

Liquorice Bread: Combine 130g soft liquorice, chopped into small pieces and 3/4c water in saucepan; bring to a simmer; cook until liquorice is soft (about 10 mins). Blend to a smooth-ish puree; cool.  Preheat oven 160C; line base and sides of loaf tin. Beat together 2 eggs, 1 egg yolk, 100g caster sugar, and 165g brown sugar. Beat in 150g golden syrup, 100ml vegetable oil, liquorice puree and 2tsp activated charcoal powder. When combined, add 200g S.R. flour; mix until just combined. Pour into loaf tin; bake 70mins, or until centre is cooked through.