I’ve just been watching a couple of programmes on Philip Larkin. There are four on tonight but I can’t take so much concentrated culture. I hadn’t realised that he died when he was 63. I may have left it a bit late to become a famous poet, as I am now a year older than he was when he died and nobody has heard of me.
I was finally able to talk to a doctor about my adverse reaction to the medication. They hadn’t been able to fit me in for a telephone consultation yesterday and the receptionist was in the middle of fobbing me off again when I stopped her and told her I was confused as I’d been told I could ring about adverse reactions to medication at any time. The words “adverse reaction to medication” worked like a charm and a doctor eventually rang me to discuss it. It seems it’s a well known side effect. I already knew that. They are going to change my medication to slow-release capsules, which should, with luck, solve the problem.
Backlit Sumac Tree in the MENCAP garden
At work, there were a few parcels to sort and the normal phone calls to answer.. Julia rang in the early afternoon to ask me for a word she couldn’t call to mind. It’s normally “sumac” because she has a blind-spot concerning that particular tree. They have one in the Mencap garden so it does crop up in conversation.
This time, however, it was “name a motorway services in Cumbria”. She meant Tebay. Fortunately I am a husband of many talents.
They are known for their pies. Most of my pictures which include Tebay in the title feature pies.
Lamb and Mint – Tebay
That sumac tree looks lovely. If I’ve remembered correctly, sumac was a popular spice in the middle ages. If this is true, I wonder why it fell out of favour.
I think I’ve found the answer to my own question: because we now have lemons instead.
I only know of it as a North African spice – I am told you can rub the covering off the red things (whatever they are) and use them as spice. I think it was in a Bob Flowerdew book.
Apparently, it is used in Middle Eastern cuisine as well. I think I will get some to try out. Might turn out cheaper than buying lemon juice all the time.
You can never tell – life is such an adventure. 🙂
Of course 😊
Oh, my goodness, Tebay looks like a wonderful place! And that sumac is magnificent. I think it’s cute that Julia calls you to ask such things.
We are a very cute couple – she is a bear of very little brain and I am a pessimist, not unlike Eeyore. 🙂
A great service station that I may never visit again as motorway driving doesn’t figure highly on my to do list these days. I hope that the slow release medication does the trick.
As a nobody myself, I am very happy to be one of those who know and admire your work.
You are very kind. 🙂
Yes, I started to realise a few years ago that there were things I would probably never do again. Some of them, like visiting Southend, are not a matter for regret.
That tree would give anyone a blind spot
They are wonderful to see in autumn, but a bit green and boring the rest of the time. They have one exciting feature – the ability to spread. I have seen them send suckers under four feet of concrete. Good if you pursue your gardening as a constant surprise (as I do) but not so good if you like to plan. 🙂
Knowing the right buzzwords is essential to getting the proper attention.
That sumac is very beautiful!
🙂