Rather a miscellaneous post, as I've read through the last four or five pages.
On the topic of tripe, I've never cooked it, but really quite enjoy, stewed, or in soup. There was a bistro here that was owned by a couple who managed to escape Czechoslovakia in 1968, and they served an ethereal tripe soup. It was not on the menu, but they always had a pot on the go. If you knew about this ordered it, it increased their estimation of you. It was a clear beef broth, slightly peppery, enhanced by the collagen(?), strips of tripe, a good sprinkling of Italian parsley, and the secret ingredient - a little minced raw garlic in the bottom of bowl which bloomed from the heat of the broth. It was a masterpiece of simplicity. But Italian- and Ethiopian-style stews are good, as well.
On the topic of Covid-19... I have a condition which has occasionally required a trip to the ER. It reared it majestic head early on Wednesday, and that evening thatI had to go. I phoned for an ambulance, as I have in past, and they refused me! The reasoning, I infer from their questions, was because I wasn't in respiratory distress. They put me in touch with an Ontario Health Thingy, and was told (by a receptionist, not a practitioner) that she could perhaps get me booked Friday afternoon. I tried phoning a friend in the neighbourhood to drive me. I couldn't reach her. I thought, Fine, I'll take a cab. I could not hail a cab. I ended up walking almost 40 minutes to the nearest hospital(would have been a ten minute drive). Now, once there, my luck was completely reversed. I was Purelled and given a mask immediately by a pleasant woman who was armoured in disposable smock, gloves, mask, protective goggles, protective visor, and cap. The admitting nurse had me hold my health card and hospital card against her plexiglass cage. Within ten minutes I was in a room (private!) hooked up to two IVs, examined, and blood drawn. A nurse or the doctor checked up on me roughly every 20 minutes. They were all very efficient, very friendly, and were following the anti-Corvid protocol very strictly. It inspired great confidence.
Normally it takes me a day to recover, but not this time. I'm still feeling very out of sorts, feeling very befogged. My thinking is at half speed and my appetite is minimal. That, combined with the lack of church, and I had forgotten that it's Good Friday. I'm just not feeling the Easter spirit the way that I normally do.
On a positive note, although restaurants and pubs are locked down, they are permitted to do delivery or take away. My very good local pub is selling food out the front window! I haven't spoken to them recently, but apparently they're doing a very good (and legal) trade.
I roasted a turkey at the weekend (we're eating our way through the freezer). That means that this week, I've had turkey sandwiches, cold turkey and mashed potatoes, turkey pie (with puff pastry) and am making minced turkey pie (with mashed potatoes, like a cottage pie but with turkey.)
Don't think you can get much more English than that.
I got very lucky in my weekly wander to Tesco's earlier. I did need to go as we are running out of milk and all my attempts to get any delivered have failed, plus I finished the frozen peas and sweetcorn in the last couple of days. Not only was there no queue to wait outside*, but there was soya milk, which seems intermittent in supply, fresh blueberries sold at 25% price and the chilled produce appeared reduced for very quick sale as I was still in there, so I bought a whole duck for roasting in the bag - down to £2.46 from £11 odd.
Tesco's have instigated a one way system since I was there last week. I only realised it was there when glared at by another customer while contravening the arrows. I then walked in the right direction down the aisles, only to see the customer who had glared go up a down aisle, because she skipped straight to where she wanted to go.
This Easter we eat duck - without cherries as we haven't any left in the freezer and the frozen fruit and ice cream shelves were empty as were those for eggs and home baking.
I'm sure I've forgotten something.
And we got out for a 4 mile walk, including finding a geocache. There's still a surprising amount of traffic on the road for a theoretical lock down: more cyclists than usual, but far too many boy racers who still think they own the road and cyclists and walkers should not be there. (I was trying to walk the less popular footpaths as it's a bank holiday and experience tells me the better known routes will be busy.)
* last time I had a 40 minute wait queuing outside before I could go in.
Duck for Easter in the Elmet household too, and chocolate ginger cheesecake as wheat flour is still like gold dust so simnel cake is out of the question.
Am also shopping for my Dad who is on his own house arrest. I'm blessed with numerous food shops close by but it takes some figuring out which combination is best for a full shop without going to more establishments than necessary. The local poundshop has proved surprisingly useful and virtually empty. Very good for stuff in tins and cartons, and also bird food.
Tomorrow, rather than pot-roasting the entire joint (bit too much for two) I thought I would cut a couple of slices and do a braise in the general direction of carbonnade flamande.
Sunday, half a chicken, roasted, probably with way too much butter and garlic.
I never know what we are having for Sunday lunch until I check the fridge on Saturday to see what the week's leftovers are.
If there are none I rummage around in the freezer for something that needs no preparation and can just be put in the oven or microwave.
Unless we are having visitors, of course, when I will have spent weeks menu-planning, shopping and cooking ahead to create a feast. No question of that this weekend, so it'll be leftover-potluck.
I feel very frustrated by the lack of local information. The newspaper gives statistics for the state of Virginia as a whole, but no local information. I know the epidemic bad in northern Virginia (the suburbs of Washington, DC) and on the coast, but I don't know where else. The paper talks about 'south central Virginia', but I have never heard that phrase before. If they gave the names of counties and cities I would know what they're talking about.
The state of Virginia is an odd shape. I live about two hundred miles from northern Virginia and from the coast, but only thirty miles from West Virginia. I would really like to know what is going on around here.
I feel very frustrated by the lack of local information. The newspaper gives statistics for the state of Virginia as a whole, but no local information.
Interesting. The online version of the paper here has an interactive map that’s updated every day, probably multiple times a day. You can click on any county and get the stats for that county.
I feel very frustrated by the lack of local information. The newspaper gives statistics for the state of Virginia as a whole, but no local information. I know the epidemic bad in northern Virginia (the suburbs of Washington, DC) and on the coast, but I don't know where else. The paper talks about 'south central Virginia', but I have never heard that phrase before. If they gave the names of counties and cities I would know what they're talking about.
The state of Virginia is an odd shape. I live about two hundred miles from northern Virginia and from the coast, but only thirty miles from West Virginia. I would really like to know what is going on around here.
We’re going to see a lot more of that as local papers are driven out of business or amalgamated with others. News deserts are a real problem to just about everyone but crooked politicians and those who would buy them.
There's a county map here (http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/) with numbers of cases for each. Not a whole lot else, but a start.
Ooh, and if you click on "weekly report," you can get the same map with either cases or rates, plus stuff like details of those who are catching it.
The Image house hold is doing take out. Local restaurant is doing curb pick up order ahead one dinner for $19:95. It includes ham, mashed potatoes, pasta, carrots, green beans, roll and cheese cake. As I always make picked beets and eggs for Easter meal, and I have two mini chocolate eggs hidden away. I am sure one meal will feed us both with plenty. Not at all sure what they mean by pasta, I am guessing some kind of salad thing, which I may keep for another meal. In any case easy meal and helping to keep local staff employed. At the price I am sure they are breaking even with no profit, so I plan to tip well.
Noticed mention of crab up-thread; my experience of it is someone having it in a soup at a Chinese restaurant. From the other side of the table the stench of rotten meat was so strong that I suggested he send it back, as it was clearly off, but I was assured by everyone present that it's meant to smell (and presumably taste) like that.
Lenten fasting nearly over and the larder emptier than when it began! Firenze's chicken with [too much] butter and garlic sounds enticing, but I have a small shoulder of lamb to defrost, Greek oreganum in the garden, mint ditto, olive oil, fresh lemons and plenty of garlic.
Our Easter meal is coming from the restaurant next door: fricassee of asparagus and morilles. I'll put a bottle of white in the fridge and I may well order a couple of strawberry cakes from the baker. We have a zoom Church service of course...
Sorry - that should have read 'when you eat pangolins...', though I appreciate that there is still some doubt about this, apparently.
Post in haste, repent at leisure.
BTW, some young neighbours of mine are clearly unaware of the government guidelines re social distancing, gatherings etc., as they are having a nice (loud) party on their (very small) boat, with several friends in attendance.
They are not Bad People AFAIK, just rather silly. I hope they keep well - I can't blame them for feeling confined and restless, especially on such a lovely day.
... I have a small shoulder of lamb to defrost, Greek oreganum in the garden, mint ditto, olive oil, fresh lemons and plenty of garlic.
I'll be right over!
My brother and sister-in-law have just been round to deliver a huge bag of groceries; as they're not in an "at-risk" category they've been doing shopping for various family and friends. As it's a beautiful day, they stayed for a wee while and we all sat out in the garden (at suitable distances) and had a lovely chat and a cup of tea.
I think it did us good to see someone other than each other; later on we're having a virtual quiz compiled by my seven-year-old great-niece, which should be fun.
... I have a small shoulder of lamb to defrost, Greek oreganum in the garden, mint ditto, olive oil, fresh lemons and plenty of garlic.
I'll be right over!
My brother and sister-in-law have just been round to deliver a huge bag of groceries; as they're not in an "at-risk" category they've been doing shopping for various family and friends. As it's a beautiful day, they stayed for a wee while and we all sat out in the garden (at suitable distances) and had a lovely chat and a cup of tea.
I think it did us good to see someone other than each other; later on we're having a virtual quiz compiled by my seven-year-old great-niece, which should be fun.
I hope they realize that "at risk category" doesn't mean at risk of contracting the disease but at risk of having serious or fatal symptoms.
There is still a widespread belief, apparently, that close friends and family cannot transmit the virus to each other.
Yep. The woman across the road from me is 86 and different family members visit and go in her house every day. Today they were in the garden, three adults and two children.
Yep. The woman across the road from me is 86 and different family members visit and go in her house every day. Today they were in the garden, three adults and two children.
I wouldn't be too harsh on them. For all you know they are beneficiaries in her will
Although the recommendations are 2 metre distances (6.5 feet), as far as I understand it, this is casual contact. We've been going twice this for any lengthy contact and conversation.
The thing on our radar now is the closure of some lanes and streets to cars, and having cars yield completely to walkers and cyclists as paths and lanes for both don't allow proper safe distancing. Some 60 cities around the world have done it. Because we're still in winter (-7°C this morning and snowing) it's not a big issue yet. But come 10 degree temps everyone will be out (Canadians often start wearing shorts about then, with sweater or jackets, frequently socks and sandals, toque). Wish us luck with city council. I'm on a board of a community agency which is presenting to it. Very concerned that if we don't do this our low numbers will rise and rise fast.
As I was standing in the (well-spaced) queue for a local shop this morning, the man ahead of me crossed the road to berate another (elderly) man getting into his car as 'selfish' - presumably for driving? The woman behind me approved of this, but I said loudly that I disagreed, and did not see the point of social shaming.
What do we know of other people's lives? Would he have scolded me if he knew my reason for being there was to buy beer and chocolate (inessential!)?
My brother in law got shouted at by another driver yesterday for driving along in his open topped sports car. He was off to get groceries for his 92 year old mother. Do you don’t know peoples backstories. I always think judge not that you be not judged is useful advice.
Today I was copied into an email exchange between one of the members of the church and some second home owners who arrived here last week (and whom I condemned to a hell in the appropriate thread). I understood both the accuser’s real fear - he suffers from Emphysema - and the bewilderment of the offenders, who genuinely are aghast that they have not been welcomed with open arms this time. I sent separate responses to the two parties, hoping to pour some oil. After all, what’s done is done now.
There is a lot of judgmentalism around these fraught days. I have to be very careful of myself in that regard as well.
Local senior center received a very large donation of eggs and bread late Friday and they are closed until Monday, so they were out and about to all seniors with gift bags. We now have 3 loaves of bread in our freezer and two new dozens of eggs. I had not planned on dying any for Easter but with the influx, and already having 6 of my own, I decided to dye some. Having no food color or egg dye in the house I am trying red cabbage, yellow curry powder, spinach, and red onion skins with chili peppers. I will leave them all day and hopefully by evening get a bit of color. Fingers crossed.
It has been several hours for the eggs, red cabbage is the clear winner but the color is blue not red, curry looking sunny, chili pepper pink, and spinach nothing. Kind of fun glad I tried it.
Lenten fasting nearly over and the larder emptier than when it began! Firenze's chicken with [too much] butter and garlic sounds enticing, but I have a small shoulder of lamb to defrost, Greek oreganum in the garden, mint ditto, olive oil, fresh lemons and plenty of garlic.
Chez Nen we will also be eating lamb tomorrow, thanks to the local Tesco's having some (not a huge amount) when I visited at 6am on Tuesday. It will go into the slow cooker first thing tomorrow with a slosh of red wine and some fresh rosemary from the garden.
We also have Chocolate - mini eggs and creme eggs. And red wine.
We'll be tuning into our virtual church service at 10.30, having coffee afterwards with friends via Zoom, catching up with the family at lunchtime, and 5pm and 7pm church-type meetings too. Busy day!
I feel very frustrated by the lack of local information. The newspaper gives statistics for the state of Virginia as a whole, but no local information. I know the epidemic bad in northern Virginia (the suburbs of Washington, DC) and on the coast, but I don't know where else. The paper talks about 'south central Virginia', but I have never heard that phrase before. If they gave the names of counties and cities I would know what they're talking about.
The state of Virginia is an odd shape. I live about two hundred miles from northern Virginia and from the coast, but only thirty miles from West Virginia. I would really like to know what is going on around here.
If you are anywhere in the Shenandoah Valley, the answer is not much. We have a total of 20 cases in Augusta County and than includes the two independent cities. Rockingham has a about 35. Not much activity in Rockbridge County either.
I've just heard of the first death of someone I actually know from coronavirus: the husband of a friend and former colleague in Belfast, I'd say probably in his mid 70s.
There is still a widespread belief, apparently, that close friends and family cannot transmit the virus to each other.
I've been observing the social distancing in the supermarket. It seems to mean "stay six feet away from someone, unless you want to get past them, pick up a thing they're standing next to, or generally unless 6 feet is a bit inconvenient.
Supermarket has marked a one-way system on the floor (obviously intended to prevent aisle crossings) that many people were roundly ignoring.
I've been observing the social distancing in the supermarket. It seems to mean "stay six feet away from someone, unless you want to . . . pick up a thing they're standing next to
I have to confess that I grabbed a package of Swiss cheese while a lady was grabbing one of Cheddar. I don't think we exchanged breath droplets, though.
And to be fair, at least here, early on we were being told by the health people that casual passing in the store was not high risk, that it was being closer than 6 feet for an extended period that is risky.
We now limit the number of people that can be in a store at one time, something many stores were already doing. And 6-feet intervals must be marked at check-out and where the line forms outside.
Comments
I've got Baked Spud & Pilchards for lunch.
On the topic of tripe, I've never cooked it, but really quite enjoy, stewed, or in soup. There was a bistro here that was owned by a couple who managed to escape Czechoslovakia in 1968, and they served an ethereal tripe soup. It was not on the menu, but they always had a pot on the go. If you knew about this ordered it, it increased their estimation of you. It was a clear beef broth, slightly peppery, enhanced by the collagen(?), strips of tripe, a good sprinkling of Italian parsley, and the secret ingredient - a little minced raw garlic in the bottom of bowl which bloomed from the heat of the broth. It was a masterpiece of simplicity. But Italian- and Ethiopian-style stews are good, as well.
On the topic of Covid-19... I have a condition which has occasionally required a trip to the ER. It reared it majestic head early on Wednesday, and that evening thatI had to go. I phoned for an ambulance, as I have in past, and they refused me! The reasoning, I infer from their questions, was because I wasn't in respiratory distress. They put me in touch with an Ontario Health Thingy, and was told (by a receptionist, not a practitioner) that she could perhaps get me booked Friday afternoon. I tried phoning a friend in the neighbourhood to drive me. I couldn't reach her. I thought, Fine, I'll take a cab. I could not hail a cab. I ended up walking almost 40 minutes to the nearest hospital(would have been a ten minute drive). Now, once there, my luck was completely reversed. I was Purelled and given a mask immediately by a pleasant woman who was armoured in disposable smock, gloves, mask, protective goggles, protective visor, and cap. The admitting nurse had me hold my health card and hospital card against her plexiglass cage. Within ten minutes I was in a room (private!) hooked up to two IVs, examined, and blood drawn. A nurse or the doctor checked up on me roughly every 20 minutes. They were all very efficient, very friendly, and were following the anti-Corvid protocol very strictly. It inspired great confidence.
Normally it takes me a day to recover, but not this time. I'm still feeling very out of sorts, feeling very befogged. My thinking is at half speed and my appetite is minimal. That, combined with the lack of church, and I had forgotten that it's Good Friday. I'm just not feeling the Easter spirit the way that I normally do.
On a positive note, although restaurants and pubs are locked down, they are permitted to do delivery or take away. My very good local pub is selling food out the front window! I haven't spoken to them recently, but apparently they're doing a very good (and legal) trade.
I roasted a turkey at the weekend (we're eating our way through the freezer). That means that this week, I've had turkey sandwiches, cold turkey and mashed potatoes, turkey pie (with puff pastry) and am making minced turkey pie (with mashed potatoes, like a cottage pie but with turkey.)
Don't think you can get much more English than that.
(Mashed potatoes are probably English).
You are supposed to be social distancing. And yet you plan to eat pilchards which will make you irresistible to women.
Remember - You Are Never Alone With A Pilchard.
Even a Semolina Pilchard?
Tesco's have instigated a one way system since I was there last week. I only realised it was there when glared at by another customer while contravening the arrows. I then walked in the right direction down the aisles, only to see the customer who had glared go up a down aisle, because she skipped straight to where she wanted to go.
This Easter we eat duck - without cherries as we haven't any left in the freezer and the frozen fruit and ice cream shelves were empty as were those for eggs and home baking.
I'm sure I've forgotten something.
And we got out for a 4 mile walk, including finding a geocache. There's still a surprising amount of traffic on the road for a theoretical lock down: more cyclists than usual, but far too many boy racers who still think they own the road and cyclists and walkers should not be there. (I was trying to walk the less popular footpaths as it's a bank holiday and experience tells me the better known routes will be busy.)
* last time I had a 40 minute wait queuing outside before I could go in.
Am also shopping for my Dad who is on his own house arrest. I'm blessed with numerous food shops close by but it takes some figuring out which combination is best for a full shop without going to more establishments than necessary. The local poundshop has proved surprisingly useful and virtually empty. Very good for stuff in tins and cartons, and also bird food.
ION, Morrison's has 2 for 1 Easter eggs.
Sunday, half a chicken, roasted, probably with way too much butter and garlic.
If there are none I rummage around in the freezer for something that needs no preparation and can just be put in the oven or microwave.
Unless we are having visitors, of course, when I will have spent weeks menu-planning, shopping and cooking ahead to create a feast. No question of that this weekend, so it'll be leftover-potluck.
The state of Virginia is an odd shape. I live about two hundred miles from northern Virginia and from the coast, but only thirty miles from West Virginia. I would really like to know what is going on around here.
Ooh, and if you click on "weekly report," you can get the same map with either cases or rates, plus stuff like details of those who are catching it.
Each to their own, I suppose.
What happens when you eat bats?
Post in haste, repent at leisure.
BTW, some young neighbours of mine are clearly unaware of the government guidelines re social distancing, gatherings etc., as they are having a nice (loud) party on their (very small) boat, with several friends in attendance.
They are not Bad People AFAIK, just rather silly. I hope they keep well - I can't blame them for feeling confined and restless, especially on such a lovely day.
Wherever did that daft idea come from - Boris, or Trump?
My brother and sister-in-law have just been round to deliver a huge bag of groceries; as they're not in an "at-risk" category they've been doing shopping for various family and friends. As it's a beautiful day, they stayed for a wee while and we all sat out in the garden (at suitable distances) and had a lovely chat and a cup of tea.
I think it did us good to see someone other than each other; later on we're having a virtual quiz compiled by my seven-year-old great-niece, which should be fun.
I hope they realize that "at risk category" doesn't mean at risk of contracting the disease but at risk of having serious or fatal symptoms.
Yep. The woman across the road from me is 86 and different family members visit and go in her house every day. Today they were in the garden, three adults and two children.
🤔
I wouldn't be too harsh on them. For all you know they are beneficiaries in her will
Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
Fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way.
Tired of lying in the sunshine staying home to watch the rain.
Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way
Home
Home again
I like to be here
When I can
and especially:
The sun is the same in a relative way but you're older,
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death.
The thing on our radar now is the closure of some lanes and streets to cars, and having cars yield completely to walkers and cyclists as paths and lanes for both don't allow proper safe distancing. Some 60 cities around the world have done it. Because we're still in winter (-7°C this morning and snowing) it's not a big issue yet. But come 10 degree temps everyone will be out (Canadians often start wearing shorts about then, with sweater or jackets, frequently socks and sandals, toque). Wish us luck with city council. I'm on a board of a community agency which is presenting to it. Very concerned that if we don't do this our low numbers will rise and rise fast.
What do we know of other people's lives? Would he have scolded me if he knew my reason for being there was to buy beer and chocolate (inessential!)?
There is a lot of judgmentalism around these fraught days. I have to be very careful of myself in that regard as well.
I take umbrage. Though, I'd rather waddle under the radar and be thought undelectable.
Code-fix - Piglet, AS host
BTW, umbrage is not good for you. WINE is better. Or CHOCOLATE, as it's pretty well Easter by now.
Chez Nen we will also be eating lamb tomorrow, thanks to the local Tesco's having some (not a huge amount) when I visited at 6am on Tuesday. It will go into the slow cooker first thing tomorrow with a slosh of red wine and some fresh rosemary from the garden.
We also have Chocolate - mini eggs and creme eggs. And red wine.
We'll be tuning into our virtual church service at 10.30, having coffee afterwards with friends via Zoom, catching up with the family at lunchtime, and 5pm and 7pm church-type meetings too. Busy day!
If you are anywhere in the Shenandoah Valley, the answer is not much. We have a total of 20 cases in Augusta County and than includes the two independent cities. Rockingham has a about 35. Not much activity in Rockbridge County either.
RIP Robert.
I've been observing the social distancing in the supermarket. It seems to mean "stay six feet away from someone, unless you want to get past them, pick up a thing they're standing next to, or generally unless 6 feet is a bit inconvenient.
Supermarket has marked a one-way system on the floor (obviously intended to prevent aisle crossings) that many people were roundly ignoring.
I have to confess that I grabbed a package of Swiss cheese while a lady was grabbing one of Cheddar. I don't think we exchanged breath droplets, though.
We now limit the number of people that can be in a store at one time, something many stores were already doing. And 6-feet intervals must be marked at check-out and where the line forms outside.