Things that make me happy – Number One – Julia at a tearoom
Julia retired today. She will be back at work on Monday because they are short-staffed, and I suspect she won’t be paid for it. However, with the MENCAP pay rates being what they are, it won’t make a lot of difference.
On Tuesday we will officially be a retired couple and I suspect my life is not going to be as relaxed as it has been over the last few months. There is a lot more housework in my future. I can see it looming now. And a lot more decluttering.
Julia’s feet. Red shoes are almost a modern icon – from Judy Garland to Elvis Costello.
That’s a link to the story of how he wrote the song. Ten minutes of inspiration. Bowie mentions red shoes too. I must write a poem about them and have my moment rubbing shoulders with greatness.
We had soup for tea tonight. I meant to photograph it, just to get a new photograph to use. All my old soup photos have already been used several times. This is Tomato, Pepper and Lentil Soup. It also had half a strong home-grown onion in it. It was a can of tomatoes, a can of water, two peppers (we have quite a few at the moment) the onion, and some lentils. I always have red lentils about because I always think of them as healthy and you hardly notice them in soups. I like it with celery in it, but we didn’t have any as I’m slimming the fridge down at the moment. Normally I make it with beans too, as a sort of main course soup, but was surprised to find I had run out of canned beans. I must get a grip on the supplies.
Julia, Sutton-on-Sea, in a chip shop. It’s like a duller version of Cluedo, isn’t it?
That reminded me of something I could have written about last night – can openers. Our only can opener proved unable to remove the top from another can, and this one wasn’t even bent. A can opener that doesn’t open cans is not much use. In fact it’s not technically a can opener at that point. I must buy another but it needs some thought as the last one we bought fell apart within weeks, lasting only long enough for me to misplay the receipt. I’m also going to buy one of the old-fashioned bull’s head pattern – they are dangerous but effective, and I’d hate to starve to death as I gaze at a pile of unopenable cans. I do actually have one around the house from my antique dealing days. They are quite heavy so if I can’t cut the tin open I can bludgeon it until it gives up its contents. Lightweight versions of this were the only things we had at one time – the modern type safety opener was a marvel when we first saw them.
Julia as Lifeguard – Britannia Pier, Great Yarmouth
Retirement gives one a new lease on life!
Our first week has had quite a holiday atmosphere. I expect the second will involve me being issued with more instructions. 🙂
The trouble with other pulses is that they often need overnight soaking and by the time that I come to make soup, it is too late to use them.
Congratulations on both being retired. Fifty years ago that would have been a triumph in itself. Nowadays, it is the start of a whole new chapter if not a whole new book of your life.
Julia is happy. I am currently mired in details about stamp duty and property laws and timetables. However, give it a few months and all will be resolved.
I have bought tinned beans and pulses, but as you say, by the time I realise I need them, it is too late to soak them. I must adopt a new approach.
Your new life begins
We have just been looking at our new garden today – much more to do than I thought. Sigh . . . 🙂
Still, at least I will have something to write about.
Congratulations on both of you being retired, almost. Hopefully Monday will go by quickly for Julia.
Rick and I like red lentils, too. They are a staple ingredient in many of my soups and stews.
All that goodness in a tiny red pinhead! 🙂
If that’s Julia in a chip shop – what’s with the computer equipt on the wall?
Presumably something to do with the shop. By that time they were running another business from there, and eventually they shut the cafe.
I, too, like red lentils and use them frequently. Congrats on the retirement. A move and a new life awaits you.
I often think of green lentils or yellow split peas, but I always stick with reliable red lentils. Despite this, I really must try some other pulses.