Wednesday, June 23, 2021

SOME HOME TRUTHS...AND AN ANGUISHED GROWL!

 











The truth is...I’ve not had a bath in over 20 years.  Calm down!  Calm down! There’s no need to get your nappy in a knot!  The reason is simple...I don’t have a bath tub, only a shower recess!  

My car has been sluggish starting lately.  I know!  I should use the key, not kicking.  I have been using the key, but it still groaned and moaned, not eager to hit the trail.  Before my car dug its tyres in and refused to start completely, I linked up the battery charger.  Luckily for all concerned that did the trick. 

After the battery was fully charged I thought about attaching the charger to me.  I need charging as much as my car battery...probably more.  With the help of chilly mornings and a warm bed, getting out of said warm bed on said chilly mornings is difficult for this old bird.  I drag out the inevitable as long as possible.  If it wasn’t for the thought of the freshly-squeezed orange juice I’d enjoy once I’d risen, it would be easy to remain undercover under covers until the first burst of spring when then, and only then, I’ll chill out.  Meanwhile, I’ll keep the chill out, be sluggish and keep warm, undercover of the covers, away from the madding crowd, my way.

It’s my right to do so until the rite of spring.  It was good enough for Mr. Stravinsky, so it’s good enough for me. Maybe then, and only then, I will, like Nijinsky, or Nureyev...or, more appropriately, Margot Fonteyn... do a flying leap and spring out of bed in the mornings.  I’ve enough crosswords, cryptic and general knowledge, to keep me occupied until spring has sprung. 

If I’m missing in non-action it’s because I’m purposely dodging and missing the action,

Not only do I and my car battery need charging, my NBN/Telstra connection shut down yesterday for a few hours!  The Telecommunications industry (what an oxymoron!) needs a swift, firm kick up the butt.  This is, after all, 2021, the so-called “modern era of technology”!   I pay my bills before time.  I expect reliable service in return.  How naive I must be.  It’s not much to ask, in my opinion. Putting it politely, such interruptions are extremely frustrating...to say the least.

It’s just as well I’m not a social beast.  At times I’m a bit of a beast, but because I’m not social I do my utmost not to scare the locals. 

If my battery isn’t fully charged it doesn’t really matter. I’ve no immediate, or long term plans to run or swim marathons.  I’ll sit watch the Olympics via TV, with my feet up.

Seeing we’re a century on from the Roaring Twenties, and are presently experiencing the Raging Twenties, maybe we could create an engaging, up-dated version of The Charleston, while, also resurrecting some of the fashions of the 1920s.  However, because I’m in my Ranting Seventies, I’ll endeavour to be unflappable, which will be difficult to achieve, and maintain, when my NBN connection refuses to do what it is supposed to do.

Like with the Olympics, I’ll watch the fun from the side-lines in the hope of catching the Great Gatsby’s eye. 

These days if I tried to kick up my heels, Charleston-style, I’d end up flat on my back, or full frontal on my front! That’s the truth!  Bye!  I’m off to have a shower...and, that’s the truth, too!

 

Pecan Orange French Toast: The night before: In a large bowl, whisk together 5 medium, lightly beaten eggs, 2c full-fat milk, 1tsp cinnamon, 1tsp freshly-grated orange zest and 1tsp vanilla. Dip French bread slices into egg mixture – (now for something different...you could use thick slices of raisin toast, if desired...just for fun). Place in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Pour the remaining egg mixture over the bread; refrigerate overnight. In the morning: Preheat oven, 175C. In small bowl, combine 1/2c butter, melted, 1c light brown sugar, 1tsp orange zest, 2tbs orange juice, 2tbls maple syrup and 1c chopped, or whole pecans.  Spread mixture over bread.  Bake in preheated oven until golden, about 40-50mins.  Let stand 5mins (you can remain seated) before serving.

Kumara-Cauli Soup: Cut 1 cauliflower head into 5cm chunks; cut 2 medium, peeled kumaras into 2-1/2cm chunks; finely chop 2 garlic cloves; chop 1 large carrot and 1 large onion, Reserve 2cs mini-cauli florets. Heat 2tbs olive oil in saucepan. Cook garlic, onion and carrot over med-heat until onion is translucent; add kumara and large cauli chunks, along with 2lts vegie stock, salt and 1 bay leaf.  Bring to boil, cover; lower heat; simmer 30mins. Discard bay leaf. Add 1tbs chopped thyme; remove from heat. Puree in blender until smooth.  Adjust seasoning; add reserved cauliflower florets.  Return soup to med-low heat; cook until florets are tender, about 10mins.

Orange Olive Oil Cake: Trim 1cm from tops and bottoms 2 med-oranges; quarter oranges lengthwise. Bring 6c water to boil; add oranges. Bring water back to boil; drain. Repeat boiling process twice more with fresh water. Put oranges, 1c sugar, and 4c water into saucepan over med-high heat; cook; stir often, until sugar dissolves and orange rind can be easily pierced with a fork, about 30mins. Remove pan from heat; let cool to room temp. Preheat oven 176C. Grease 9” round cake pan with butter; dust with flour; line base with paper.  Whisk 2-1/2c plain flour, 2tsp baking powder, 1tsp baking soda and 1/2tsp salt; set aside. Remove orange quarters from syrup; remove any seeds; put oranges into processor; pulse until chunky puree forms, 10-12 pulses. Add 1-1/2c sugar, flour, 1tsp vanilla and 4 large eggs; process until incorporated, about 2mins. Add 1/4c plus 2tbs x-virgin olive oil; process until combined. Pour into pan; bake 35-40mins; cool 30mins. Whisk 1/4c orange juice and 1/4c icing sugar to make thin glaze. Remove cake from pan; using brush glaze over top and sides of cake; cool completely.  Garnish cake with flaky salt, if desired. 

 

 


22 comments:

  1. No bath hear either, doubt if I could lower myself in it now let alone get out.
    No sun out much here during the days that have passed.
    Margot Fonteyn, beautiful dancer she was - saw her dance when she came to our city.
    Keep the battery going, keep warm.

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    1. G'day Margaret...I, too, would be flat out (literally) trying to get in and out of a bath these days! lol

      Fonteyn was magnificent. I didn't get the chance to see her dance live, but, fortunately I did see Nureyev when he came to Brisbane in the 70s. Oh! Boy! He was truly amazing...a night I shall never forget.

      Nureyev and Fonteyn dancing together we will never see the likes of again.

      A couple of week ago I watched a terrific documentary on Nureyev....streaming on Netflix. Recommended viewing.

      Take good care...thanks for coming by. :)

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  2. We have a bath in our house and most times always have despite the sick Pommie jokes , However our present bath is ok to get in but one needs assistsnce to get out of it. Oh and I recall the Flapper styles of th late twenties and thereabouts being of 1926 vintage; but mostly worn by the rich and famous. BTW I am afforded 3 to 4 assisted showers weekly, a bit weird at first but have succumbed to the embarrassment I first felt avoiding eye contact. Thank you Lee for calling on my blog.

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    1. G'day, Vest! How nice of you to drop by...a most pleasant surprise!

      Most of the places I've lived in throughout my life had a bath tub...but this small little abode in which I now dwell doesn't...which is just as well. My cranky hips wouldn't like having to get in and out of one. The shower is safer for me these days.

      I can understand it being weird at first having assisted showers...we our modesty...but then comes the time that we have to put embarrassment aside. I'd feel similar...so you're not alone. :)

      It's great to hear from you, Vest...take very good care. Thanks for coming by... keep smiling...and a special hug from me for little Rosie. :)

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  3. I use shower only. The bath is good for relaxation but it cleans less than a shower. Besides a bath could be dangerous for those "ranting seventies" as you put it. (I'm in my seventies too, so I know).
    I had the privilege of seeing Nureyev very close by, near the door of a bank in London. He was chatting to the bank person. I think he was probably ill at that time. What a loss to the ballet world!

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    1. G'Day DUTA. Before he became ill, Nureyev was such a strong, strikingly handsome man. His facial bone structure was stunning...as was his dancing. The night I was in the audience watching him dance in "Giselle" I was in total awe. He was magnificent.

      I've told this story before but it is worth repeating, I believe. So carried away by being in the presence of his brilliance, as Nureyev was taking his bows at the end of the ballet, in spontaneous joy, standing up, I yelled out very loudly..."Good on you, Rudy!"

      Nureyev turned towards me...smiled at me, and bowed. I was over the moon!! What a special moment in my life it was. :)

      Thanks for coming by....take care. :)

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  4. Pecan Orange French Toast, yum!
    Orange juice is my go-to of a morning also. Right after my coffee. Heh.
    I like a bath to relax in.
    Sorry your battery and connection were annoying :(
    Take special care.

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  5. I always thought the Charleston would have been a fun dance to learn...about twenty years ago. Heh.

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    1. Hi and G'day, Sandra! :)

      I always have my orange juice before my coffee or tea. (The latter depend on which one I feel like on any given morning. This morning I'm having a mug of coffee...yesterday it was tea)!

      The Charleston would have been a lot of fun. When I was much, much younger my friends and I used to give it a go. Oh! How we loved to dance! :)

      Thanks for coming by..take good care. :)

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  6. When you first said you hadn't had a bath in years, i thought of the old joke, i haven't slept for days. Aren't you tired? No, i sleep at night!

    Getting up in the mornings isn't much fun when it's cold. It's not much fun when it's hot, either.

    Hope your car battery doesn't give you any more trouble.

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    1. Hi messymimi...I agree with you on both points...cold or hot! lol

      I don't mind sleeping during the day, too! I often have a cat nap. I tell my two cats if they can have cat naps, so then, can I! :) (Remy has just woken from has and has announced to me, loudly and clearly, that he is awake!)

      Thanks for coming by...take good care. :)

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  7. Like you, I also haven't had a bath in almost ten years, just showers and sponge baths from the bathroom basin if I don't need to wash my hair. I put off getting out of bed these cold mornings too.

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    1. Hey there, River. Snuggled up in bed with my two furry mates, not wanting to disturb them...or me...makes remaining in bed a very easy option for me! lol

      I watched the latest episode of "The Blacklist" via Netflix tonight!!!!! Held my breath all the way through it!! I shall say no more!

      Take care, and thanks for coming by, River. :)

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  8. Many times I've wished we could recharge ourselves just as we do our cars. It seems the older I get the lower my battery runs! I love your French Toast recipe. I make it with cinnamon and vanilla but I love the sound of the topping with pecans.

    If I could I'd send you some of our warm weather as our temps have been running in the 90sF. Take care Lee!

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    1. G'day, Bonnie. Yep! I think it would take a few days to recharge me, if even then! lol

      I don't don't mind the cold weather, Bonnie. The heat of summer will be here again all too soon. These days/years I prefer our winters to our summers. At least one can rug up and get warm, but it's much harder to get cool in the heat and humidity.

      I can use any season for an excuse to be lazy these days! lol

      Take care...thanks for coming by. :)

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  9. No bath here, I've really got used to refreshing showers :)

    All the best Jan

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  10. PS I enjoyed the Charleston video.

    Jan

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    1. G'day and Hello, Jan. Showers are great...

      The Charleston video is a lot of fun...happy days! :)

      Thanks for coming by...take good care. :)

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  11. Is it just me or did it seem like we were in a lot better shape 100 years ago in the Charleston era. Leastwise here in the good ole USA. Maybe that's why the Charleston and square dancing are relics of the past now.

    It's summer and hot here. Tons of rain too. We're getting a shower every day whether we want it or not, just getting out to our car.

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    1. G'day, Dave. I reckon a bit of rock 'n rolling jiving kept us fit, too! Far better than hanging around gyms! I'd take jiving over working out in a gym any day or night of the week! :)

      Our summer will arrive here soon enough...so I enjoy hanging onto the cooler weather as long as possible. It's foggy here this morning, with rain predicted for the next couple of days.

      Take good care...and thanks for coming by. :)

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  12. What a fun post, Lee, because I too have not had a bath in don't know low long. It's showers only in this household because while there is a tub, it's way too hard to out of one. I smiled reading your comment about colder weather as we're now in a heat wave, so if you need some let me know :-) I also think my battery (human not auto) could use a recharge some days.

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    1. Hey, Beatrice...No thanks to the summer heat for me. I prefer our winters. Summer will be here soon enough...too soon for me. These days I don't like the heat and humidity. One can rug up to keep warm, but it's very difficult to get cool. Thanks for the offer, though! :)

      I'd have to set up home in a bath tub, if I got into one...if I could get into one...because I'd never get out of it again! lol

      Thanks for coming by. Take care. :)

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