A friend of mine who owns this Collie is a member of a WhatsApp group who get together with silly projects to keep themselves cheerful and occupied during the lock-down.
One member suggested a virtual Easter Bonnet parade for pets. The organiser gave each of the entrants a certain time slot on the day to post their photo, so that it would be a proper parade and not a free-for-all. This is my friend's submission.
Like the rest of us, I find myself planning the next meal before the one I am sitting down to has been finished. During last night's smoked salmon and scrambled eggs with pea-shoots (followed by fresh cream chocolate eclairs) I decided on cold rice pudding for breakfast and roast lamb (and the rest) for dinner. This must be what retirement is like.
I wasn't thinking of Easter when I bought the lamb, but I think the tradition of lamb for Easter must be very recent. We are in the British Spring lamb season now and what we call 'lamb' are creatures of 18 months old. Luckily (for carnivores, not sheep) New Zealand has reversed seasons, so by the time refrigeration on a large scale had been invented we could eschew mutton throughout the year. No sane 18th century farmer is going sell his Spring lambs in any case - not for sentimental reasons, just financial. Suckling pigs were a different matter.
Right up to the age of about 38, I was six foot three inches tall and weighed 12 stone. I could eat what I liked and as much as I liked without putting on an ounce. I even tried to put on weight.
Then I found myself eating breakfast, lunch, dinner and tea every day for about three months because I was working near a nice cafe. One day I noticed that my head appeared to be getting smaller, and things which I was previously unaware of moved independently of the rest of my body when I trotted down steps.
I weighed myself and tipped the scales at 16 stone.
Three months later I got back down to 12, and 30 years later I was about 14 when I last checked. I last checked about 10 years ago... I had better watch out.
Today I crawled under the bed and pulled out the scales I had been pushing there long ago.I saw that for now there is no cause for concern, but days will tell.
ReplyDeleteNo treadmill yet then.
DeleteDon't worry. Retirement isn't just about roast lamb and chocolate eclairs, you'll also have time to wonder whether it's time to ask for Meals on Wheels, or as it's now called here Snacks To Go!( their apostrophe, not mine.)
ReplyDeleteIf I retired I would be living on porridge. Made with water.
DeleteHappy Easter Tom. My daughter told exactly the same story this morning, with three children under her roof, asking about what's to eat at teatime, they are now gone back to asking at breakfast the day before. I'm sick of risottos.
ReplyDeleteI had forgotten about hungry children. What a nightmare.
DeleteThat dog looks adorable in its bonnet. I hope you enjoyed your Easter lamb.
ReplyDeleteI've yet to cook it. That dog is far from placid, to say the very least.
DeleteHappy Easter. That dog looks thrilled to be part of it. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteI don't think she even knows she's part of it!
DeleteWe have never owned a pair of scales so I haven’t a clue how much I weigh. I just know that all of my clothes fut me and, if they ever feel a little tight, I just cut down on the wine and chocolate 🤣
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter to you and H.I .... enjoy the lamb. XXXX
H.I. still has a distinct wist and is the same weight now as she was when 20.
DeleteNo scales here either Tom. No need for scales to know if I am going up or down. Have a lovely Easter meal and the rest of the day. Just starting to get dull here xx
ReplyDeleteI think everyone knows really. Still sunny - for the moment...
ReplyDeleteCat just came in wet.
DeleteHopefully with rain?
DeleteTotal immersion in the way of John the Baptist has been known but on this occasion it was rain, a short sharp shower.
DeleteNow having a thunderstorm, all cats wet, and indoors.
DeleteThere will be many who have put on a pound or two, having discovered where the kitchen is. Lamb according to St Delia for us today. Yum.
ReplyDeleteHow does Delia's lamb differ from ours? Lamb of God or lamb of the gods?
DeleteHappy Easter Tom! I love the bonnet on the dog. I wish I had an Easter bonnet or rabbit ears to put on my dog George! He would be adorably silly in it. My older dog is too sweet and has too much dignity for me to do that to her, though.
ReplyDeleteI had to google converting stones to pounds, and up until you were 38 you must have been a bean pole at that weight considering you're 6'3....
I had three legs in those days.
DeleteYes Tom I too am noticing that I must watch what I am eating. I am not buying anything sweet at all because that way I can't eat it!
ReplyDeleteI really miss jelly babies!
DeleteI am channeling being a Dega dancer , that way I can still be comely and have a second helping ...
ReplyDeleteI need an explanation.
DeleteHappy Easter to you and all the happy dogs.
ReplyDeleteAnd to you Joanne. Your dishcloth is now on its fourth wash and holding up nicely.
DeleteFalllon is organising the Easter bonnet competition on The Archers
ReplyDeleteThank god something doesn't change
Covid 19 cannot reach Ambridge.
Delete