Lee, Figs and Having a Bad Day

Lee

It was good to finally get to see the film Lee, a factually accurate depiction of Lee Miller's war years as a photographer, played superbly by Kate Winslet. The film and Lee's life combine glamour, destruction, stamina and genocide in a way few others can.  Miller worked for English Vogue and through her force of character, persuaded the various authorities to let her take photos on the front line, a place strictly forbidden for women. 

Lee Miller staged this photo in Hitler's Bath, with mud from Dachau smeared on the mat

I visited the home she shared with her English Surrealist Painter husband, Roland Penrose, a few years ago. We saw their work, their home and the works of other surrealists who visited them regularly in their beautiful Sussex home. We met their son, Anthony Penrose upon whose book the film is based. A rare treat for anyone interested in Surrealism.

The Kitchen at Farleys with a tile painted by their friend Picasso

Fabulous Fig Fiesta

There's only one fruit that I know of that doesn't have worms, has no pips or stones, is unattractive to birds and insects and grows in abundance on a small tree making it easy to pick.

Oh yes, and when ripe it tastes divine, with rich deep red super sweet flesh. And you can eat the whole fruit, skin and all, if you want.

The second half of August and the first days of September are when my little fig tree delivers about a kilo of fruit every day. I eat them with my breakfast oats, for dessert at lunch and dinner and I make jam using only very little sugar (20%) as they are so sweet. I handle each fig as if it's special even if I am picking 20 or more every day. In Lidl they sell for 69 cents each, in Waitrose a box of 4 is almost £3. It's my late summer treat and through the jam I can share with my special friends and make the pleasure last for months.

Not a Good Day

Probably a co-incidence, but two bad events happened on the same September day.

I had parked outside the Post Office in Revel and as I pulled away, I checked my rear view mirror and there was nobody behind. What I didn't think to check was whether anyone would be pulling onto that street from the side street perpendicular to me. I slammed the breaks on and missed the car by a milimetre or two.

Then the following morning I discovered I had left one of the gas rings on the stove on all night. It was warm in the kitchen!

From now on I will take more care when checking to see if there are other cars about and when switching off appliances. Take more time to save far more.

Quote for the Month

"I know I'll be caught one day, but I shall have served. Let us hurry, and do great things while there is still yet time"

Louise de Bettignies, leader of The Alice Network in WW1. Her spying network saved the lives of thousands of British and allied soldiers. She was caught by the Germans and died in prison just before the war ended.

Louise de Bettignies (1880-1918)

Statue to Louise in Lille