Marmite v Bovril ...

Love it – or hate it … or both … when we were growing up after the War – we would have Bovril as a drink when we were ill in bed or recovering, or Marmite as a spread to help us get better or later on … just because that’s what we liked …

So ours were two distinctly different kitchen items … now I have just one: Marmite.

Marmite is the vegetarian version … as I’ve just been told this by the Chairman of our local Astronomical Society … I’m fairly certain it is true?! 

We don't get these at our meetings ... coffee and
biscuits: this would make a good student lunch -
perhaps x two slices!  Marmite and cheese on toast.

We were at our local Geology meeting – where we’re discussing galaxies and stars … the precursors to ‘us’ … and life on earth.  Don’t ask … posts will appear one day!  Dark Matter will be first …

Back to the subjects of this post …

It appears that Bovril has the longer history … in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1), Napoleon III ordered one million cans of beef to feed his troops.

Strangely, well I find it strange, this task went to a Scotsman living in Canada (John Lawson Johnston).  Transport and storage were problematic … and thus Johnston created a product known as ‘Johnston’s Fluid Beef’ …

Early poster - about 1900 AD

In less than 20 years (by 1888) over 3,000 UK public houses, grocers and dispensing chemists were selling Bovril.  The name coming about from the Latin bos for “ox”. 

Sci-Fi fans ... se my post

Johnston took the vril suffix from Bulwer-Lytton’s then-popular novel, The Power of the  Coming Race (1870), whose plot revolves around a superior race of people, the Vril-ya, who derive their powers from an electromagnetic substance named “Vril” … thus we have Bovril … and a Sci-Fi link …

Now to Marmite … ‘Marmeet’ … this is made from yeast extract, a by-product of beer brewing … a way of cutting down on one’s pint perhaps … or increasing said drinks because of the salty nature of Marmite.

A stylised French Marmite pot -
casserole or stock pot

It’s not obvious why it was named ‘Marmite’ – but could have been because of the earthenware pot, similar to the French ‘Marmeet’ cooking pot, that the product was originally sold in.

A German scientist, in 19^th C, discovered that brewer’s yeast could be concentrated, bottled and eaten.  By 1902 the Marmite Food Extract Company was formed in Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, England near the Bass Brewery, which would supply the essential yeast by-product.

Edouard Manet:
 a bar at the
Folies-Bergere: 1882 a bottle of
Bass Beer on the table

At the turn of the 20^th century, there seemed to be an ‘exponential’ expansion of its popularity ... when it was distributed around the world.

By 1912, the discovery of vitamins was a boost, as the spread is a rich source of the vitamin B complex … eight water-soluble vitamins essential to good health.  The British troops in World War One were issued with Marmite in their rations.

Copied from "The Week" ... but many would like
a marmite well!

It is a valuable source of Folic Acid … a supplement during pregnancy, and now many countries require it to be in certain foods as a measure to decrease the risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease.  It is exceedingly helpful in overcoming beri-beri, wherever it is prevalent.

The company, Bovril, took over Marmite, but now both brands have been subsumed into Unilever …

Puff Pastry cheese and marmite wheels

The choice probably is … the one you’ve grown up with … I would drink Bovril, but smear or spread Marmite … while both can be added to savoury dishes to bring some zing …

Marmite on toast … Marmite with Cheese … both would warm the cockles of my heart – normally called tummy!  Cheese Straws or Cheesy puff pastry rolls – good for party snacks …. Marmite soldiers for young children (or old for that matter!) …

Toasted Cheese and Marmite sandwich
with pickle

Bovril apparently is an icon of British culture … it is commonly associated with football culture … that’s put me off somewhat!  Still I don’t own any Bovril now … but a flask of Bovril would be put to good use if caught in a winter storm …

We have Mandela featuring again … in his book “Conversations with Myself” in 1980 he mentioned he’d like some marmite!

But …. a hundred years ago the Pope had the last laugh … Bovril holds the unusual position of having been advertised with a Pope – as you can see Pope Leon XIII seated on his throne, bearing a mug of Bovril … see the slogan:

“The Two Infallible Powers – The Pope and Bovril” : a 1900 poster …

Well now it’s lunchtime and this has got me very hungry … I’d better round this off and disappear to my kitchen larder and rustle up a marmite sandwich!!

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Lenny and update ...

Connections ... support, thoughtfulness, care and compassion ... 

Roses and Fynbos (South African
endemic vegetation) 

This is the email I got from Lenny as soon I emailed saying I was home safely from my hip op ... 

hip hip hooray!!!!

my grandblogmom is home!!! 

 im soooooo happy!!!

now all you need to do is just take it easy and.........  

eat yummy good food (wear expando pants). 

 watch something fun on the telly.

listen to some cool music. 

 take lots of loooong naps.

get a little exercise.  ack!

 study for you next blog post or golden age university talk.

play an exciting computer game  "i won! i won!"

 sing a happy song ("mud mud glorious mud! nothing quite like it for soothing the blood!")

have a welcome home party  "yippee! I'm home!!" gifts would be cool! :)

 stay the cool grandblogmom that you are.

it wont be long til youre skipping happily down the road!!

i love you bunches!

...lots of soft and gentle hugs from lenny

Lenny's African critters ... 

I have no idea if the emoticons will come out - if not ... then the squiggles are emoticons - think laterally!!

Bull Finch

Now Lenny needs lots of support from all of us bloggers ... if you know his email please send a get well and good luck message ... poor lad has also had a hospital trip and needs our cuddles and love ... 

I won't give his email out ... because he may be overwhelmed by his inbox ... but I'd love it if you could leave a thoughtful message here for him ... 

Chaffinch

Honestly - life can be tough, most of us are oh so lucky and fortunate ... also my experience with my mother and uncle taught me so much ... but again I was lucky - they were both cognisant til the end ...

... however reading other bloggers' stories really has opened my eyes to positive experiences we gain should life lead us down these tricky paths ...

Blue Tit

... then we meet the little wonders of this world - the carers, the friends, the family, the ones who realise what it is that is required to offer pro-active support and care - having been in hospital myself for elected surgery ... I've been struck by peoples' meaning towards care ... interesting and honestly not particularly brilliant from many who should know better ... such is life ...

Gold Finch

... but I know you all - the bloggers who read, who care and who are thoughtful ... 

Nuthatch

So a quick update from this end of the world ... all is progressing nicely - I'm nearly off my sticks in the flat ... and am walking round the Close twice a  day now - to stretch out ... I'll increase the walking out slowly ... slightly pulled muscles by doing too much over the weekend ... 

Lenny is priority - but you'll have gathered that ... but isn't his email to me just brilliant ... and he emailed again last Monday just before he went off to hospital - though didn't tell me - perhaps he didn't know ... 

Hardwick cares
and sends his love
to Lenny

He was full of the Baseball Game - Seattle Sea Hawks v New England Patriots ... which he'd obviously enjoyed ... and had also watched the Australian tennis ... and asked how I'd enjoyed it as he knows I love my tennis ... 

Thanks all ... and looking forward to reading your comments for Lenny ... 

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Hip op update ...

First thanks so much for all your thoughts,wishes etc - am slowly progressing: though computer sitting not really an option ....

Chatty Crone put this one up in November -
couldn't resist saving it for my time under the knife!

Can't keep my brain from working though ... also forgot my last post took me into my 7th year of blogging and some of the birthday wishes came from friends made all those years ago - seems incredible ...








One not so little lad kept tabs on my progress - guess who: Lenny Lee ... whom quite a few of us have known for nearly four years ... on my note on Sunday morning saying I'd woken up from the op ...





"hi my grandblogmom

hooray its done! now just rest and do what the doctor and nurses say. don't worry about emails or anything else. just get better. :)

i got you in my prayers.

...loads of love and soft and gentle hugs from lenny"

Also loved hearing via email from some of you ... and on the last post - asking for updates ... 

Thank goodness this 'serach' was not required!

All went smoothly ... I was last on the list ... came round 2.30 pm (it was Saturday!) and then had a minor reaction ... but once 24 hours had past - I was exhausted, but 'up and running' again.



Tuesday before lunch I was collected and managed the walk to the flat, and the 9 x 2 stairs up to the flat ... and from then on it's been adjusting to routine of pills, rest, exercise, fending for myself and answering the door bell .... 

For safety's sake I had and still have a
large indelible ink black arrow on
my left thigh!

Just walked outside and down the road a little - on crutches, but 'easily and carefully' done ... in the flat I'm on one stick and on occasions none ... small spaces and things to hang on to - but I'm being sensible.


Dressing on the wound came off on Monday and half is healing well, other half is catching up!  Lovely bruising that stretches down the leg ... but all healthy apparently ... 


Essentially I'm left to my own devices ... the nurse checked in 48 hours after I got home, and again for the bandage removal ... the occupational therapist came the next day, when I walked out briefly ... she is in fact coming again next week ...

Had some of these to welcome
me home ... 

But it's go slow, exercise and walk ... once the weather warms up I'll take myself downstairs and walk around in the Close (quiet dead end road) ... 


Back ache at night has been a nuisance ... and resorted to 'midnight feasts' at the hospital and here - but last night managed to stay put.


Thankfully very little pain - the leg is weight bearing ... I am taller on the left now - the right leg is much put out!! and those muscles will need to work: but all is well.

Used a zimmer in the hospital - came out
with crutches, and now have sticks

Went to hospital on a very frosty morning ... and on the Monday night/Tuesday morning we had snow ... so padded my way to the flat through that ... 


The wound is refurbished from the inside out, dissolving stitches, then final layer of skin is glued up - so no visit to the doctor to get staples out .... 


I've managed to do most things and have had some wonderful friends who've been in often and regularly to care and check up and ask what I needed ...  though, in fact, the fewer visitors the better, because I can concentrate on doing the essentials ... 

It's good to know Spring  is on its way

One third of way to end of first period - six weeks: is end of February ... 


Oh yes ... if you ask for two of something (fruits or veg) ... expect a packet of them ... and one of those is an accountant?!



I'd organised some frozen meals ... but was grateful for some plain chicken, leeks, carrots and potatoes ... and made "Chicken Soup for the Soul" ....... it had not occurred to me I might need 'invalid' food ... 

Homely food - Penne, sauce with fresh
vegetables

So - garbled update complete ... I'm off for a rest and no doubt some more pills - never ending! and exercises ... which a friend instilled were essential: as what I will achieve in these first six weeks are what will be with me for the next 1/3 of my life ... yes I intend to be around a while!


Thank you so much ... and remember I won't reply individually to comments - but appreciate them all ... 


I will check in on FB as life gets easier ... 


Cheers - Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Hip Happity Hop … and I get to grow – how cool is that?! Hardwick makes a requested visit …

St Hilary’s Day has rolled around … another year has passed … and life is hip hip hipping forwards very fast.

African tea lights

I am hip-hopping off to hospital for a hip op on Saturday … it’s all go round here!  Birthdays where do they feature?  Hospital visits today – such is life, when they fast track you.

I suppose I could convert the rhyme: 

told on Friday

partied on Saturday

worried on Sunday

dusted on Monday

rushed on Tuesday … 

     ... just so you can’t think about getting a year older

or greyer!

moved furniture on Wednesday

dashed about on Thursday

panicked on Friday and ...

collapsed for op on Saturday

Dancer - hands on hips by
Antonio Canova 1812

I’ve been in some pain for a few years … decades … but as I’ve always played fairly serious squash – not at the top level, but next level down … and was always playing leagues, or different friends, or in tournaments … a hip problem?  No!

Anyway having exercised, tried various therapies, checked out my back – eventually I had my hip x-rayed early last summer;  it obviously wasn’t serious as I wasn’t called in and was happy to wait – I wanted to take Jenny (86) round England in October and to visit relatives etc

Saw the doctor after Jenny had returned to Canada, got sent off to the consultant – with the words … well you’re not taking pain killers and you can walk … my comment: well I need to know what’s happening -  I’m in pain and it’s getting worse.  The doc is not unsympathetic … and I don’t do pills, if I can avoid them ... and I cope usually – so I’m an 'unusual bird’.

My colourful sofa!!

Consultant’s visit – I eye the two hips on the x-ray screen: right one looks solid and nice, left one looks flaky and pittedly weak.  Brief discussion: it is congenital – I told him about my 67 years of life (as of today) – and how much squash I’d played and how I’d always been happy playing ball games – tennis in those early days. 

That seemed to stop him in his tracks … a brief silence ensued … his arm reached in his drawer, extracted a yellow form … sign here and we’ll give you a new hip.

Did you know, by the way your left leg is an inch shorter … and we’ll give you an extra inch!!  Yay – life improves I get taller – everyone else gets shorter!!  Sadly, I was brought back to earth … it balances out and it’s only half an inch.  Then when I had the early pre-assessment last year … I’ve already shrunk an inch – must be blogging … all the blame is on you lot?!

 

Fun wrapping paper -
present still to be opened!

Normally we are given 4 – 5 week’s notice … Friday I was rung up – by the time I rang back – the hospital lady, I needed to speak to, had gone for some lunch.  I was partying on Saturday and needed to go out to shop ... so said I’d be back by 3.45 or so …

Late Friday pm … would I like to have my hip op on 17^th November … this somewhat non-plussed me … laughingly I said “November” … she, I think, was quite pleased I’d laughed … said "oh no January" … I said “Saturday”?  Yes – we operate on Saturdays.

So I’m going to the posg hospital – when I replied to the text message I’d had – of course I realised what posg meant: posh!

 

Hardwick resting ... 

So today is hospital visits and assessments … and chaos reigning … they only phoned me after lunch yesterday … so as I’m on my own – life is interesting to say the least … working out what’s needed.   Some things have slotted into place – others still need to.

Their system is different to the general hospital, and to the other private clinic (that does National Health work) that I have some information on … so now I need to adjust to the way their method of process works.

Hardwick's nose

This will be my last post for a while … I’d like to do the Ubuntu blog-hop if Michelle Wallace organises, and I thought there was something else, but brains are addled at the moment, then the A-Z theme reveal in March … so I may just quietly stay on the side-lines til the A-Z rocks around.

Give myself time to completely recover and get my hip working fully … and be ready for the future …

Hardwick with his Santa hat - Christmas 2010
in my mother's room

Betsy of My Five Men … asked about Hardwick, so he’s come out of retirement briefly … he needs some air … and it’s good to have him around for my birthday … and the many memories of him on my Mum’s bed for all those years.

Right that’s me done … I will happily hip off to sort this motley life out … and get the post up – so please go gently on me re commenting and being around … I’ll be here – but a break will do me good …

Mandela Apron

… the A-Z will kick me back into gear (hopefully not breaking the new hip!!) … and Ubuntu will remind us of who we are and what we should be embracing in life … “I am; because of you” or the Zulu word ‘Londolozi’ meaning “Protector of all Things”  - my post ishere, which includes a TED talk.

Hip hip hooray to me … and to all of you for nurturing my blogging interests … I might even be looking to get a little into FB and Twitter … now that will be a shock to one and all!

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

The DejaVu BlogFest - Ubuntu, Survive and Thrive with the Big C, FoodBanks and the loss of the A-Z Swedish lady maestro …

Such a difficult decision … I cannot chose – I would probably go for one of my A-Z articles on the British coast … but instead I will  link across to some posts which impacted on me …

 

D L Hammons BlogFest

Michelle Wallace’s Ubuntu bloghop … “I am; because of you” or “I am what I am because of who we all are” – this latter phrase I prefer.  Michelle will be doing this again in 2015.

Londolozi – a Zulu word meaning “Protector of All Living Things” … after which a Game Reserve in South Africa has been named.

Boyd Varty’s TED talk – one of Londolozi’s owners …

 

c/o Londolozi

Survive and Thrive Blogfest articles – where I linked back to my (and thus our) Cancer posts – and I listed all the conditions bloggers had written about …

Remember the food banks …

Then lastly … Tina, the Sunflower Lady – whose light went out on 23^rd August … she was a master administrator for many of us who participate in the annual A-Z challenge in April …

As Tina would say ... Life is Good … live life, be generous and thoughtful, encourage everyone, be flexible and help where you can …

c/o Barnados - card designed by
Harry, aged 8, who is supported by
Barnado's Actions with Young Carers

If you haven’t visited one of four blog posts then please check in … thank you …

Happy Christmas, Happy New Year, lots of happiness and joy in 2015 – and here’s to success with your writing, your projects, your art, poetry ... and all creative ideas …

For other participants please visit D L Hammons blog …

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories