Light relief against the world at large ...

I won a tin of Le Gratin Dauphinois at one of our European Movement meetings … provided by another committee member, who (with his wife) often go over to Dieppe for the day … a change of country, some shopping and a French meal …

He often brings back some wonderful raffle prizes, mostly wine, but occasionally 'oddities' like this one …

… essentially it is thinly sliced raw potatoes with cream, cooked in a buttered dish rubbed with garlic, occasionally cheese can be added.

Tartiflette

I mentioned this to some friends, who said they'd had Tartiflette at Christmas, as their son is vegetarian … I hadn't heard of it … and so had to do a quick check …

Who'd have thought about taxing udders … I laughed when I read up on Tartiflette and the cheese usually associated with it … Reblochon …

Reblochon cheese

Both dishes come from the Haute-Savoie in the heart of the French Alps … holding its history to itself, including the culinary influences of the Alps …

I made my version of a mirepoix base, then over the top spread the Dauphinois … as I live easily, I added a boned rolled shoulder of lamb – one pot dish … I have to say it was delicious, over the days I ate it.

Mirepoix raw veggie mix

To get back to the reason for this post … the tax element … Reblochon is derived from the word “reblocher” … which when translated means to “pinch the cow's udder again”.

The landowners during the 14^th century would tax the mountain farmers according to the amount of milk their herds produced …

Tarentaise (type of cow living high in the Alps)

... crafty farmers decided … oh! ok – but we won't be taxed on it all … so they would not fully milk the cows until the landowners had measured the yield. 

Portrait of a Carthusian
(by Petrus Christus)

The milk that remains is much richer, and was traditionally used by the dairymaids to make their own cheese.

In the 16^th century the cheese also became known as devotional cheese … so the Carthusian monks would bless the farmers' homesteads in exchange for some cheese.

Nothing like a tax on cows' udders to improve one's blog posts … I feel certain that this type of tax no longer applies …

Gap, town in the Haute Savoie region
of south-eastern France

I'll try and keep things lighter for a while – as life is challenging enough for so many … here's to health and happiness in 2025 …

A little information, tucked away in this post, on the European Movement, which we still continue on - this is our 50th year in Eastbourne.  It is based on our 2023 programme.

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Yakety-Yak … part 1 …

 

Absent without leave … the brain being 'overwhelmed with 'to dos''and as you'll gather not getting very far. Yes, I do want to write about Yaks … strange, but true …

I've had a few things going on … the brain works, but not much else apparently – so my grey cells tell me!! Also I got a whammy … my blood pressure has decided to not agree with me … which needs to be addressed – i.e. slow down, de-stress … not something I needed right now – but obviously I must deal with it.

We had a wonderful talk from the Finnish Ambassador - he was great … very personable … he'd accepted our European Movement (see January post) invitation last June – mentioning he never confirmed speaking dates so far in advance … but for your meeting I have.

Apparently he'd been looking forward to coming back to the Sussex coast since the 1980s when his father had sent him over on a student exchange … we'd opened the door for that return.

His talk revolved around the history of Finland over 1,000 years – it was fascinating in the context of a country being part of an evolving area of Europe.

Identity Global image - website here

This month we had a local high achiever as our speaker, whose Identity group has been responsible for organising the Coronation, other global events ...

... including messing up 'my childhood beach at Carbis Bay, Cornwall' for the G7 Leaders get together (their Summit!) last summer, COP26 in Glasgow and the recent NATO summit … we had a really fun evening …

Perhaps to get back to this age ... of no worries!

I'm trying to cut back to give myself more time away from committees – so re-evaluating life and getting my 'rambling' health back into line. I'm fine – just need to make sure I get back to being healthier.

I think I'll stop there … having just heard a snippet about the Michael J Fox film 'Still' on his life and living with Parkinson's disease for over 30 years … the word 'attitude' was highlighted – I need to get over myself right now – and get back to normal.

I'll be curating a few other happenings – my brain is full on at the moment … and I need to lighten its load – poor grey cells - which means overloading your visits!!

Thanks for bearing with me – I'll be around soon … Happy Mother's Day weekend to those in the States …

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

What's Been on Your Calendar – January 2023?

 

Life seems to rush by … and I gather it gets faster as one gets older …

Donna's badge for her WBOYC post

Donna with her blogging friends started this – at least two of them are on Vancouver Island, when I was there, but we only blog-connected as I was leaving …

Tai Chi - c/o Wiki solo forms -
Taolo form - painting from 1300s 

I keep myself rather well occupied, but need to do more walking, and thought I'd start Tai Chi, with Qigong, at home on a daily basis – something I used to do … and include breath exercises as an extra … I need to work a schedule out

Overview

For ten months of the year … I co-ordinate a dinner for our European Movement Members at a local hotel … we're only at 50 – 60 at the moment, but hope to climb back up.

I've omitted contact details for obvious
reasons, I hope -

This keeps me occupied for the first fortnight or so of each month – meaning there's no peace for the wicked in January – even if it's a birthday month.

I belong to the Eastbourne Meads, University of the Third Age and Bazza on his blog – gives an overview of the organisation … for which I'm very grateful to be able to refer you to.

Eastbourne Meads U3A welcome
image - showing off Beachy Head
lighthouse by the white cliffs

Each group has different programmes depending on its members … I go to History (and give the odd talk), Memoir/Writing, Music Appreciation … I've just started, as our Geology/Life Science 'maestro' has just decided to stop – many of us will miss that class. For the next five months I'm organising the Speaker for our monthly meeting – I enjoy that.

Re our 'maestro' – as a final farewell he made an interesting comment … saying that although it was a lot of work (he was very,very thorough!) … he'd loved doing it – as he learnt so much … remind you all of us: bloggers?! I feel like I'm getting a University degree – granted an eclectic one to put it mildly – but 'boy' have I learnt.

Just finishing off the artwork 'Dance Diagonal'
as the new piece of art for the Towner Art Gallery

I go to the local film society films – exceedingly interesting – held in the local art gallery, as too various other more avant-garde films …

Fuseli's 'NightMare' painted 1790-91
one of his variations on the theme
(Erasmus Darwin underscored
his short poem 'Night-Mare')

Then finally I belong to a Read Aloud group in the library – we bring something relevant to that week's topic to read … tomorrow is Dreams/ Nightmares – a few minutes worth of reading … we don't discuss much – as the schedule doesn't allow.  (Tomorrow's reading solved -on looking for an appropriate image!)

Well obviously not finally … meet ups with friends and family as far as we can all tie in ...and a few other societies I try and keep up with …

Penguin Classics

Also I'm incredibly lucky as I can walk or bus to most things … being one of the eldest left in the clan, I've done my caring role – and so can spend a little time on me. Lots to read too …

This was longer than intended … but c'est la vie … this year I must be more organised – re diaries … my online one prompts me … but most is in my head … that curious brain I'm very thankful for … I have a paper one I want to start using …

Donna's Retirement Reflections blog ... 

Bazza's blog: To Discover Ice - University of the Third Age (U3A) ... 

Big Think - How You Breathe ... 

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories