Did you know pourri means rotten? The French term came about during the Napoleonic occupation of Spain. It began life as the name of a typical Burgos dish which mixed all sorts of meats and vegetables: “olla podrida” (olla=pot, podrida=pourri.) With such an appetising name who wouldn’t want to try it?
In Summer Girls News:
The girls have written to confirm their arrival in the latter part of July. They took longer this year to get their tickets which made me think they’d changed their minds. That they didn’t like us, or the house, or Mazamet, or the dogs, or France anymore. I thought this for two full weeks – which was stressful. But I soldiered on with my plans for doing up the central south bedroom (bed arrives tomorrow) and getting things outdoors looking decent.
I repainted the iron chairs and table legs (for what must be around the 10th time in my life). I got a 1 metre tall (dog proof!) butler’s tray for canapés etc. The white terracotta pots are Tunisian and will have cordylines planted in them. I’m considering a second sofa.
In work news:
A mixed bag. We have a tenant who makes noise and that’s upsetting the other tenants. Apparently French law says it’s up to us to fix this so we’re looking into our options. I sent pictures of two items (that I love) to auction houses this week only to be told they’re going in a different direction – that people just aren’t buying things in my style anymore. That’s sort of a kick in the teeth because this style is where my knowledge lies. As Mike likes to joke I should have been a child of the 60’s, the 1760’s.
In Baclofen news:
The thing actually works. It’s over a month now and my alcohol intake continues to be greatly reduced. The pill calms you and creates what I’d call a mini-high. In my case that just means the volume on the negative voice(s) in my head is lowered. Alcohol did that as well, but it took ever increasing quantities.
In tech news:
Apart from removing the sim card from my smart phone (it only works on the wifi), I’ve removed most apps from it. Anything that bleeps or wants me to “check” on anything is gone. The sim card is in an old fashioned flip phone and I will only check on computer related matters when I sit at the computer. I feel the ability to check on things online constantly is detrimental to the way my mind works as it increases my levels of anxiety.
In number 42 news:
I’ve been working on the garden. The plan is to create 3-5 new areas of interest. Here’s number 1. I’ve been slowly removing the dead tree that was by the wall. A bench is going there, perhaps a Lutyens. I planted the two pillar thingys and akebia will grow on them, and I need to find a large pot for the stone plinth which I found in the old chicken coop.
For loud tenants I suggest recording the noise, play it back to them. It is a jolt of self awareness.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ll try suggesting that. Apparently the police have been called but once they arrive everything goes silent and the noisy people deny they were making noise…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d like to make a reservation for next spring… (kidding, but sheesh, I wish I weren’t).
> In my case that just means the volume on the negative voice(s) in my head is lowered. Alcohol did that as well, but it took ever increasing quantities.
My only lightness of heart comes from wine and walking, requiring more of each as time goes on. (Done separately — usually.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do you not find it exhausting? I always imagined one day something would click into place and my head would settle – but it seems that’s just not going to happen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Forced by circumstance to live a life I despise, solace comes rare, but usually with alcohol. Mornings are pure anguish, not because of the after affects, which are slight, but due to the realization that the prison I’ve made holds me fast. Self-slavery and my master the $.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t that the definition of being?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funny guy!
LikeLike
In ‘Merica we just shoot ’em. I wish this were a joke!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Noisy people or smart phones? 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
No “Smartphone” here, too. On purpose.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Ditto.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Having one is like choosing to be held hostage
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh that others would understand that the increased incidence of anxiety disorders is in direct correlation to the increased reliance on bleeping, warning, flashing apping smart phones. Well done on the Baclofen …. it is heartening to know it works should one need to recommend it. And I am sorry the late booking of the girls led you to two weeks of doubting your continued place in their annual diary of delights. Your comfy glade looks enticing.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I didn’t have terribly high hopes for the Baclofen, but after reading the Ameisen book I decided it was worth a try: http://scienceblogs.com/bookclub/2009/03/03/the-end-of-my-addiction-by-oli/
LikeLiked by 2 people
Interesting. I might buy a copy to keep on hand. I have copies of various books such as Richard Bentall’s ‘Doctoring The Mind’ and ‘Madness Explained’ to loan if I think they might help.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As to the olla podrida, one sniff and my dogs would be making a beeline for it…as a change from sheep shit. I don’t think the modern floral version would provide the same attraction.
Would a climbing hydrangea work on that wall?
I have had the down on auction houses since one of them managed to damage a lamp Leo had had sent to them and refused all responsibility.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A climbing hydrangea would be beautiful but I’m afraid the spot might be too dark. Do you think it could work?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perhaps with a little more thinning out of higher branches alongside.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting mélange of newsy news. Potpourri – who knew? Good to hear you’re not going to die of liver failure anytime soon. And after the fact, you can always choose not to have notifications enabled on any smartphone. Hats off to the day! Aloha, Pink 😉 xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I might still die of liver failure, I’ll just have to compensate and make up for lost time at some point 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
What about the cigarettes? Are you still a smokeless zone?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Smokeless and very little alcohol, and almost no red meat – might as well be dead!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bravo, PInky. Constant stimulation isn’t healthy for anyone. Glad you conquered the smartphone AND that the Baclofen works. As for tastes generally…meh. We’ve been watching a silly TV show that takes an ordinary family back to a previous decade to live that life for a week. So far they’ve done the 50s, 60’s and 70’s, and I have to tell you that popular tastes back then were seriously awful. I mean, I remember the vinyl, but I forgot just exactly how /bad/ it really was. Genuinely good things keep their value, even if they go through cycles of popularity. Hang in there. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was slightly cheered up today as a dealer I know and respect called to know what I have at the moment… He probably read what I wrote yesterday and felt sorry for me!
LikeLike
lol – do dealers have hearts? I’ll bet things aren’t as dire as you think they are. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I may have a tendency to prepare myself for the worst possible outcomes. It’s emotionally exhausting 😀
LikeLike
Ah…so then nothing can take you by surprise. Just be sure to enjoy the good surprises when they come along. :p
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can I make a reservation for next summer?
On tech news- I should try the same thing or buy a cheap phone that can only send text messages
LikeLiked by 1 person
The flip phone is perfect. No bleeps, trembling or cameras. Just calls, or in my case no calls as I’ve turned it off 😀
LikeLike
You’ve been a busy bee and that’s a good thing. I’m so glad you’ve finally found a drug that helps you lean away from alcohol *hugs him*, the whole web is well-named for it entraps us repeatedly, and having a smart phone can end up hell on a stick for some folks, so that’s an excellent idea you’ve had to go for an old swinger (not Hariod – the phone, hahahahaha).
– Esme sending love from upon the Cloud
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m thrilled. It kind of mimics the relaxing effect of alcohol. And I can drink a couple of glasses without feeling the desire to go on and on, and on and on and on 😀
I can also not take it on a day when I feel like letting go a bit more and then get back to it the next day, so I don’t feel trapped or cornered into any rigid system.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic sounds ideal. It’s usually the third one that sets me off too, though I’m on medication that makes the effects of alcohol much stronger, so these days two is all I need!
– Esme letting herself go regularly upon the Cloud
LikeLiked by 1 person
We love you Pink.
You know that, right?
It’s true though, everyone who posts on here loves you.
We want only the best for you.
Yeah I don’t have a smart phone either and I don’t miss it at all.
I was surprised to see you having anxiety over the girls, their delay in responding. Be sure in knowing they love you.
Glad about the new drug, I hope it helps you. Honestly the more you write, the more you share the more I love you but also, the more I love & respect Mike. He’s your rock, isn’t he? He’s with you through the highs and the lows, the good and the bad, you enhance his life enormously. It’s a two way street. Mainly I am just happy you have Mike and he has you, it is so much better to go through life with a life partner. Trust me my husband drives me crazy some times, can be really unbearble a lot of times, but I wouldn’t trade him for the world, warts and all. We all have warts,
But you know I am your most practical commentor, so did you buy the Karcher window vacuum?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
Yes, Mike is really the only reason I’ve kept going. We’re both loners and live sort of apart from the world, so being able to do it together, as a couple, a team, has changed everything.
And also YES… The Karcher arrived and I absolutely LOVE IT!!! It’s so easy, so quick, no mess. It also works on the coffee table, bathroom mirrors, everything. I’m thrilled. And I didn’t even get the most expensive one, I got the 10 yr anniversary version which was on sale for €55 😀
LikeLike
yikes, noisy tenants!! I’ve found that people are mostly unaware of just how much noise they make and how it travels – there’s a good deal of selfishness involved, unfortunately. Perhaps this will make you smile: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvlDyY-Vpnk&frags=pl%2Cwn
I like your idea of the phone change – I feel a lot more scatterbrained of late, and I’m putting it down to the constant availability of information – it’s just overload!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Scatterbrained is the perfect description. The phone takes away focus. It puts us in a position where we’re always checking, verifying, confirming – “on guard”. That adds a completely unnecessary layer of tension and anxiety to life.
LikeLike
Thanks for the etymology of potpourri. I’m not sure how it became applied to glass bowls of dead rose petals that smell like old ladies, but it’s always smelled to me like a pot of rotting things.
I second your motion to reduce smartphone use. I only used one in Saudi Arabia because there weren’t any other phones available, but I also like having a computer for computer things and a phone for phone things. New Guy thinks I need a smartphone, but I’m happier without, for the same anxiety-producing reasons you mentioned.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have the impression we have similar temperaments – so stay away from smart phones!!! I don’t see any reasonable positive for argument for it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think his primary reason is that he perceives his value in economic terms, so his self-worth is tied to his buying me things, though of course he wouldn’t articulate that. I’ve been diverting his attention to clothes, books, and movies instead of electronics. We also eat at restaurants far more than I would choose to on my own.
LikeLiked by 1 person