Back in the 1980s my mother, thinking she was kind, bought me a copy of Delia Smith’s One is Fun cookbook.
I was mortified .
She might as well have accused me of being the last spinster in the parish
How sad I felt.
Tonight I decided to support the village pub with their takeaway initiative and ordered myself a minted lamb burger with a side of macaroni cheese.
“ Is that the order in full?” I was asked professionally
“ Yes it’s just me “ I replied suddenly feeling like a right sad sack
Another singleton of the parish.
Do you remember that episode of Sex And The City when single Miranda felt judged by the Chinese takeaway lady?
I was reminded of that today
The meal was expensive for a treat for one, but it was a treat and I’ve got enough macaroni for supper tomorrow .
The food was bloody delicious
But I did feel a bit like a sad sack
Is that feeling because you're imagining what other people are thinking? We should never put our own thoughts upon others. We'll never know what goes on in other's heads. Also there's nothing sad about being on our own, especially when your life is as full as yours is. X
ReplyDeleteI was just remembering Miranda mave
DeleteI’m not wandering around like miss haversham xx
I've got that book from my late mum when I was a student nurse. You're not sad. You've got more friends then anyone I know in the village and on line. Looks delish. I have not bought the book for my lads. They wouldn't have a clue who Saint Delia is. My son has students cook book. The other is a good cook along with his g/f.
ReplyDeleteI really don’t feel like a sad sack, it was a brief twinge that’s all
DeleteIm now on my own. The first time in 75yrs. You know what?? Im getting to enjoy it Sylvia
ReplyDeleteWay. To go xxxx
DeleteI always feel like that in the Kebab shop.
ReplyDeleteI’m not the only one x
DeleteIt's okay to feel a little sad, John. But you are loved by many! There will come a day when your cottage is again a home for two; I just know it.
ReplyDeleteI’m not sad dianne it was only a fleeting thought
DeleteYou call that rather large looking macaroni cheese "a side"?
ReplyDeleteI’m keeping that for supper tomorrow
DeleteBut John-there may be a lovely man suitable here for you-it is a possibility xx
ReplyDeleteI’m a member of that club...... but Mave made a good point . I watched the wedding SATC film last night.. love it x
ReplyDeleteThere’s rumour of a new series without Samantha
DeleteI know....looking forward to it.
DeleteYou reminded me of a Roger McGough poem I read years ago:
ReplyDeleteVINEGAR
sometimes
i feel like a priest
in a fish & chips queue
quietly thinking
as the vinegar runs through
how nice it would be
to buy supper for two
It sums the post better than I could xx
DeleteI like Roger McGough's poetry. He lived next door to my grandmother in Litherland,Liverpool and mentions her in his autobiography (a good read)Some time ago he came to read his poetry at the local theatre where I volunteer and I mentioned the connection to him...he immediately told me how many years ago he had heard shouting from my gran's back yard and rushed in to help pull my auntie's (then a baby)head which had got stuck in the spokes of a bike.Made me smile!
DeleteHe has my grandfather’s long vowel soundS ( my grandad came from Everton )
DeleteWent to a restaurant by myself, and when asked if I was alone, replied, "Yes, it's just me." To which the server said "It is never "just me," dear," put his hand on his chest and flourished "It is I!"
ReplyDeleteI shall remember this x
DeleteMaybe he was just hoping you'd order some vegetables, too! x
ReplyDeleteOr another burger lol
Deleteeating alone eh? more for you!
ReplyDeleteYour take out meal looks very good. A nice treat and more for later. Given Covid, meeting someone is harder than ever. I have no doubt, Covid or no Covid, (just like Miranda) you will meet someone when the time is right. Timing is everything - I do believe this.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think I will but hey ho
Deletesad sack or not, you deserve a treat. And I love the little naked man in the background! xx
ReplyDeleteDon’t we all
DeleteRather than your meal (delicious though it looks), my eye was drawn to the naked man behind it (what does that say about me?!). But he does look like he's rubbing his ample belly in anticipation of a feast 😁
ReplyDeleteIt’s a small me .......I wish
DeleteOnce in a while I feel alone even though I have a wife, daughter and grandkids. Why? I can't say. Maybe I just need to be alone sometimes. It's sort of like getting re-oriented I guess. Luckily, the feeling doesn't last for
ReplyDeletelong, maybe a day or so. I have no reason to complain.
Here's the link to a video that expresses the feeling for me. (copy and paste...)
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytqVrVeCFx0&list=RDMMytqVrVeCFx0&start_radio=1ugh
I can’t access it 😳
Delete
DeleteI'm putting this here because I don't want ANY interaction with the troll.
They are only wanting to stir up attention, so just please ignore it ...the very best way to piss them off and spoil their fun.
That looks delicious and not at all sad. One Christmas I was gifted a one cup cafetierre along with some bathroom scales! X
ReplyDeleteLol
Delete“Is that the order in full?” I was asked professionally.
ReplyDelete"YES, BECAUSE I AM WORTH IT!" is the correct response. I don't like my friends putting themselves down; it makes me sad.
I’m not putting myself down ..it’s my first takeaway for one
Deleteok, but I still like my response line!
DeleteI love that poem. Being alone is sometimes sad. Being alone in a relationship is sadder. You are a good soul. I cannot believe that you will always be alone.
ReplyDeleteI’m not banging on....I’m just not used to buying a takeaway for one
DeleteOh I didn't mean to say that you were 'banging I'm. I was trying to offer a counterbalance to a sad moment.
DeleteI know you didn’t, I was reassuring myself xxx
DeleteWhat a delicious looking meal and you certainly deserved a treat after the cost of those speeding tickets!
ReplyDeleteAm glad to hear the sad thought was a fleeting one. Have you ever seen the movie "Must Love Dogs"? There is some angst in that movie as one of the main characters repeatedly purchases 1 chicken breast for her dinner.
Hugs!
I remember that film too ....Miranda shouted at the chinese takeaway girl for giggling at her, but later found out that she just giggled all of the time
DeleteOh stop whining
ReplyDeleteOh I didn’t think i was really ....but thank you for that
DeleteAnon-you are a very miserable negative person-Just go and look in a mirror and look into your eyes
DeleteIf anon can only make nasty comments why do they bother reading your delightful blog ??? Life at the moment is strange for all of us and we have a right to have different emotions and express them, this is a time to support each other ,we none of us know if we will be unlucky and get the virus or have a different life threatening event, we have just lost a friend with covid, my sister was rushed to hospital a week ago for emergency surgery and my son has a life threatening condition which scares the s**t out of me , so mr or mrs anon, be kind, let people moan about sometimes being lonely, scared, angry or whatever because one day you might like somebody to be kind to you.
DeleteOne is fun. For a minor moment I thought you were referring to a 'menage a un' - a one in a bed romp. I own a singleton's cookbook from the 80s too - I used it this evening to make a hotpot.
ReplyDeleteI’m used to one in a bed
DeleteIt certainly looks delicious John. Now that I have lost my farmer and am alone I do slightly know what you mean, although I know our situations are very different.
ReplyDeleteI loved Delia's pissed speech at the football match. You can be forgiven for eating for two. I eat for two and cook for three.
ReplyDeleteLol me too
DeleteIf you're that concerned about what they think, buy 2 meals next time and have them wonder.
ReplyDeleteI’m not that concerned dave
DeleteSpeaking of being alone. I know l wrote once before about a work friend's unhappy marriage and how she felt more alone in her husbands company than physically on her own.
ReplyDeleteAs to the food takeaway well l don't like indian foods, so we only ever order indian for one and then chinese for one and yes they always say on the phone ' is that it ' in the hope of additional items to be added to the order.
Tess xx
Off to bed , I feel full of cold
DeleteWhen I travel for work, the thing I dislike is going to out to eat in the evening alone. I get it. Take care
ReplyDeleteI love those generous helpings and that burger looks delicious
ReplyDeletePatty
Treats are fun!
ReplyDeleteAnd between you and I (and the internet) I cannot cook without a cooking book.There. I said it.
XOXO
When I was by myself I would order takeout for two ... eat one the first night and the other a second night. I'm not sure if that's the right solution, but it is a solution.
ReplyDeleteI love reading recipes on the Web but I'm also frustrated when they say something like "serves four", or "eight".
ReplyDeleteI guess I have been on my own for so long and going to restaurants alone or doing take-out orders for one that I just don't even think about it anymore!
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to have company for a meal once in awhile but, seriously, I tend to prefer my own company!
Me too. I ordered a delivery on sat night and ordered 2 burgers and ate both of them. Xx
ReplyDeleteThat burger looks bloody marvellous!
ReplyDeleteMaybe 40 years ago I was gifted with a paperback which I must still have somewhere - 'Vegetarian Recipes for One'. When I got it I'd have riffled through its pages for about 10 seconds and haven't opened it since. Me COOK? The most advanced I ever get is making an omelette!
ReplyDeleteThere appears to be a very small naked man on your worktop. Does vinegar come out of his willy?
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have given a second thought to the "cooking for one" book (well no one would give ME a cookbook anyway), but you lived alone at the time and cooked for one. Then again, I didn't know your mother. Also, I wouldn't take "Is that the order in full?" the way you took it. The pain we cause ourselves by making assumptions. Anyway, that meal (or two) looks SO good!
ReplyDeleteIf you ordered for 5 people, they would ask, "is that all the order?" Good point.
DeleteYou won't be going to fat club this week then?
ReplyDeleteI lost 3 lbs smart arse
DeleteJohn I think it is your perspective. There is nothing wrong with being alone. I would rather be alone than in my current situation with Firefly. I miss the calm. I am 57 perhaps it is coming to me with age.
ReplyDeleteI never said there was something wrong with it .
DeleteSorry maybe it is me projecting my true feelings :)
DeleteI recently had the occasion to confirm that I was a singleton and told the person that I am 'blessedly single'.
ReplyDeleteI suspect that she was jealous!
If you believe being a singleton is negative then it is...but only for you. Personally, as a widow I had no qualms about being single, going out alone (before the pandemic). You seem like an outgoing personality most people would enjoy knowing so you can act accordingly. Surely, you must just have been down in the dumps that day where we all occasionally go. Just don't stay there. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI know this feeling. I don't often order takeaway anymore but when I do, I now order at least two full meals. There was an element of not wanting people to think I was always all alone. But to be honest, the benefit of having three or four days worth of food sorted without having to cook quickly became the best benefit. :-)
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for Alan when he came with Sue to help me, He was in so much pain . Thank you both so much for all you do for me lots of Love MUM XX
ReplyDelete