Feeling better

"Sweet are the uses of adversity, which like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head; and this our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in running brooks, sermons in stone, and good in everything." - As You Like It


Shakespeare always gets it right. These words from As You Like It found me today, reminding me that there is good in every situation and circumstance. It is always worth taking a moment and remembering that one has much to be thankful for.
Spent much of yesterday, outside on the deck, in the sunshine shaping my course schedules for the Autumn term. I'll be teaching for two very wonderful university programmes in London. Both have great students, incredible support and terrific colleagues. The work itself is freelance and contract-based, which means it's not permanent, but also mean that I have the freedom and flexibility to be mistress of my own time. 
Sure, I'll never make a fortune, and I do tire sometimes of being a "roaming Shakespeare scholar", it would be nice to have a permanent place to pitch my academic tent. But - at the end of the day, I get to do what I love. And, that is worth everything.
Throughout my time here in Britain, I have sadly felt "lead up the garden path" on a fairly regular basis. From early in 2009, I was invited in for a number of meetings with the BBC about the then forthcoming "Shakespeare Season" for 2012. I met with seemingly countless development people and producers, who seemed keen and interested in my ideas and thoughts. 
After a series of personnel changes in the BBC's development area, I was, along with my ideas, lost in the shuffle. I have since had a very kind apology from a chap wasn't involved this fiasco, that was in fact much appreciated. That was balm to my troubled soul. At the very least there was an acknowledgement that I had been taking for a ride. It did not, however, make it any easier for me to sit and watch as the current BBC Shakespeare Season has carried on and passed me by. A great cultural moment. I have not be able to stomach it.
The next great cultural moment will of course be the big Shakespeare anniversary in 2016. I am determined to contribute to that in some way. And, perhaps, it will be a way that I create for myself.
In the meantime, I must find peace, solace and comfort in what the wonderful opportunities that I have had and have. Shakespeare has led me on some truly incredible adventures: from Alaska to Romania. I have this very morning received confirmation for a Shakespeare lecture I'll be giving at the British Council in Hong Kong next month, and am currently discussing the possibility of a Shakespeare lecture tour of India in October.
As Shakespeare suggests, one should always be on the look out for the good in everything.

What's so Great about Britain?

Camper van parked and pitched near Coniston Water; Late morning breakfast of eggs, toast, tea and bacon hash (a D.E.B. specialty); D.E.B. tooling about the camp site, hammer in hand, like a keen Boy Scout; beloved Border Collie snoozing soundly at my feet; pile of books at the ready (Robert Lacey, Ed Stourton, Alison Sims) waiting to be read, as a heavy grey sky looms over head, and soft rain begins to drizzle (perfect Wellie weather). A typical late summer holiday in the Lake District, in the north of England…

What could be more British?

Recently, columnist Carla Carlisle explored the concept of ‘Britishness’ for Country Life magazine. “Is it still great to be British?” was the question posed to Ms. Carlisle, who seems, in many ways, uniquely placed to answer such a question: she is an American-born writer, married to an Englishman who was born in Wales, of Scottish parentage.

Carlisle begins her commentary by stating that the word “British” does not “fit easily” into her mouth, and says: “Like ‘Happiness,’ ‘Religion,’ ‘Beauty’ and ‘Justice,’ ‘British’ is a word that eludes definition and has defied attempts to hijack it.”

As this term does fit easily into my mouth, I wonder if a part of her hesitation is generational. Many of our points of reference are very similar, but in some instances reveal a few generational differences, one of her culture references in The Beatles, whereas my equivalent would be Wham! Or, Duran Duran.

At the end of day, we both agree, without hesitation, that Britain is indeed still very, very Great.

Like a convert, I see the flaws, but feel passionate about all that is good. – Carla Carlisle

So, what is so Great about Britain?

Here is a short list from me, in no particular order…

Cricket – Adorably handsome men, dressed in dazzling white uniforms, playing an elegant, though utterly incomprehensible game, that can go on for weeks on end and still finish in a tie; there are no “half time oranges” in this sport, they take very civilized breaks for tea. What’s not to love?

The Queen - Like Carla Carlisle, I agree that The Queen is “the human face of Britishness,” and that she “unearths in us feelings of loyalty, based on history, civilized manners, morals and shared values.”

The National Trust – history, culture, gardens, in perpetuity. Splendid. (www.nationaltrust.org.uk)

Newspapers – The five, outstanding daily newspapers one has to choose from living in Britain, is surely a by-product of the undeniable, long-term love affair Britons have had with the English language and the written word:  i.e., Chaucer, Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Brontës, Beatrix Potter, JK, and etc.

The BBC, TV & Radio - Three words: “The Shipping Forecast.” The nightly mantra that has lulled Britons to sleep for countless generations. And, also: “Woman’s Hour,” “The Archers,” “Desert Island Discs”…

NHS – Health care can be good, free, and for everyone.

The Lake District

W.I. (Women’s Institute)

The Cotswolds

Pantos/Village Hall Theatrics – Anyone who knows me will confirm that I have held a longstanding aversion to amateur dramatics. I’d rather be hung, drawn and quartered than forced to sit through the 8^th million local, am-dram attempt at Oliver, Guys & Dolls or West Side Story. However, living in England has changed my mind about this, completely. Amateur dramatics can be good. Really good. The difference, here at least, is that there is a careful consideration of producing  engaging material, entertaining scripts with compelling narratives. Not just dusting off the age-old chestnuts that will guarantee ‘bums on seats.’

Pubs – More than just a local watering hole, where “everybody knows your name,” the pub is an important feature of British life, especially in villages. It is a meeting place for friends and family, a sort of community centre with excellent beverages and food on offer. Pubs often offer a variety of entertainment and events such a Quiz Nights…

Quiz Nights – Britain is a trivia lovers haven!

Tea – What on earth were we thinking, dumping all that precious cargo into the Boston Harbor?!

Real Ales – locally brewed, hand drawn ales that are as unique and distinct in taste and character, as the locales they come from. (Just discovered a gorgeous Stout brewed here in the Lakes, just of Coniston Water.)

Sunday Lunch – gathering round the weekly roast is something no civilized person should live without.

Last Night of the Proms - "Rule, Britannia!" indeed!

Men – Of course, it goes without saying that one of the greatest things about Britain is British men; and American women seem uniquely susceptible to the charms of the British male. (See posting: “American Women & British Men,” 1 October 2008)

In the Land of Nigella...

I was never a "Domestic Diva" but always wanted, secretly or not so secretly, to be one. This was an impossible feat to pull off in my shoe-box Manhattan apartment. My kitchen in New York was so small that two people could not stand together in it comfortably, nor was it possible to open the stove door and the refrigerator door at the same time. While my new English kitchen does present its own unique challenges, I have been granted to the gift of space: room in which to actually cook, move and navigate; and surfaces, surfaces, surfaces, at last. So now, with the time and space within which to channel my "inner Martha," I could not wait, as the locals say, to get "stuck in."

British food. A comedian once made the joke that a "British cookbook" should be merely "a pamphlet, that says 'See other countries'." Funny. But true? I don't think so. I have always enjoyed British food -- beyond my favorite Fish'n'chips. British food is the ultimate comfort food. In every British kitchen, something is undoubtedly being roasted to perfection in the "cooker," and thankfully for me there is sure to be a potato involved in one way or another.

What I noticed from watching and reading a small cross-section of Nigella Lawson, Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver and the like, is that key factors in British cooking are: freshness and flavo(u)r. Gordon stresses simplicity, which works for me. Keep it simple. Quality, fresh food, cooked simply. What a way to seduce the senses.

Speaking of culinary seductions ... I recall one of my many, recent, transatlantic jaunts in the past year to visit my Darling English Boy, wherein I was treated to an exquisite culinary evening at Stratford-upon-Avon College. The Darling English Boy has a dear friend who is an exceptional chef who heads the culinary program at Stratford College, and every year they provide the students with the ultimate challenge of presenting a seven course meal to invited guests and local glitterati. Staff members from the Ritz Hotel in London are brought in and added to the mix. The evening was so divine that I wrote a short sketch about it three months later for an in-class Creative Writing assignment:

Dinner at Stratford College. Final Exam dinner for culinary students. Late May 2008. Wore my favorite "19th C-esque, travel suit". Champagne and canapes to start. Seven course meal, a different wine with each course. Favorite course: Lobster tail with a green pea puree, dressed in caviar. Delicate, cold, white and pinkish meat lounging in a pool of green, wearing tiny, glistening, black pearls. Green pea puree base. Soooo lovely. Fresh, spring peas pureed. They actually taste like Spring. Earthy. Fresh. New. I want to learn to make pea soup just to capture this taste forever.

I recently discovered the BBC's wonderful Foodie website: www.bbcgoodfood.com 

In addition to recipes and cooking tips, the site also has an excellent features section dedicated to "Seasonal and Local Food". Who knew that tomatoes, blackberries, lobster, plums, cauliflowers, aubergines, goose, garlic are all considered at their peak in Britain in September? The website also provides information, based on postcode, of nearby suppliers of fresh, organic food. It seems that the "Slow Food" movement has truly taken root quite firmly in England. I noticed an example of this when my friend Karen had me round for lunch last week. Karen -- who I have known for ages, from when I was living here before as a student -- is an excellent and fastidious cook. She prepared the most gorgeous lunch, which she said she had started cooking at 9 AM. We sat down for lunch at nearly 2 PM...Since moving here, I am learning the importance of slow downing, generally, not just food-wise. But food is a good place to start. 

So far I have tried my hand at such traditional English favorites as Fish Pie and Rhubarb Crumble, and think I've done pretty well. Last night, after what I thought was a failed, and over-cooked attempt at "Glazed Baked Gammon," D.E.B. gave me his mum's favo(u)rite cookbook. I wanted to cry. The book is Marguerite Patten's Perfect Cooking (1972), and throughout its well-worn and much-loved pages, D.E.B.'s mother, Elsie, has made copious notes, and added her own comments, critiques and thoughts to the pages. As I read and touched the pages Elsie had, I felt a connection with her. A tangible link to the beautiful woman I sincerely regret I will never know. 

Food. So much more than just the stuff that keeps our bodies going.
Facing my biggest cooking challenge this weekend: Sunday Lunch. The quintessential British meal: Roast Beef, Yorkshire puddings, roasted potatoes & veg and gravy.
Thankfully, I've got Nigella and Elsie in my corner.