Two Faces

 Dear Reader,

I am 81 today and will possibly, probably eat much too much and be a bit sorry tomorrow when I look on the scales.  But I have been reading Lucy Worsley's book, 'Courtiers' on Georgian history and here is a quote about what was eaten at a summer dinner in 1735. "beef, chicken and mushrooms, mutton hashed in a loaf, veal and sweetbreads fried, pullets and cream, a haunch of venison, cold chicken and pickles, peas and cucumber, a lobster, gooseberry and apricot tart, and smoked salmon and prawns.'

I remember feeling astonished when I read about Henry V111's breakfast.  He might have eaten game, roasted or served in pies, lamb, venison and swan.  He also ate a whole chicken, washed down with beer.  He ate up to thirteen dishes every day and would consume about 5000 calories.  No wonder he looked so large and gross. Mind you he had been hunting since dawn so perhaps he was very hungry and needed a huge repast.

                                                                                 *

Gilbert White, 1793 in Hampshire, From March 14th

'Papilio rhamni, the brimstone butterfly, appears in the Holt.  Trouts rise, and catch at insects.  A dob-chick comes down the Wey in sight of the windows, some times diving, and some times running on the banks.  Timothy the tortoise comes forth and weighs 6lbs.5oz.'

From John Ruskin, 1867 in Surrey, March 19th

'Desperately cold, with huge-flaked snow. The worst of January, November and March all in one.'

                                                                                  *

Two Faces

The wicked wolf tripped
lightly onto the stage,
his ears pricked, his eyes atwinkle.
He wore  yellow waistcoat,
smart tweed breeches,
and to cheerful music, he dances
delightfully, tapping his toes
then, smoothing his whiskers
he sang in a haunting voice
a familiar love song.
And the audience loved him.

He appeared suddenly from no where
twirling his handsome brush,
with a pretty girl on his arm.
Grinning widely he made witty jokes,
energy oozed from every pore,
this wolf was Mr.Alive.
And the audience love him.

On the bus home she sat opposite a man
wearing  shabby raincoat, eyes downcast,
head bent, almost invisible,
almost without the breath of life.
But she recognised him, knew his secret.
Knew he was the wicked wolf
that the audience loved.

                                                                                 *

With best wishes, Patricia