Thinking that policemen look younger and regularly saying “I remember…” are both very clear signs of age. This statement doesn’t hold true in my case as I avert my eyes at the first sign of a policeman, in sure and clear knowledge that I’m guilty of something or anything, and I try not to say “I remember….” as the dots are hard to pronounce and yet are probably the only things that I do remember. Memories come to me when I’m writing, sleeping, cooking or at any time other than when remembering would contribute to the conversation or would facilitate the smooth running of every day life. The box is full, but someone keeps moving it from the last place that I put it down. Every now and then I run into a contemporary, whom I may not have seen in years, and we chat animatedly over several hours during which time no names, proper nouns, dates or titles are mentioned as they are temporarily forgotten until after we have said our farewells. The conversation was in no way spoilt as we both knew the names and titles in question, they just weren’t forthcoming on demand. It’s quite a relaxing way of talking in that it avoids the pitfalls of mistakes as nothing is mentioned that could be incorrect or misleading, there is just agreement. This is an ideal situation, of course, that can only be achieved with seniority but which leads me inexorably to the pleasure of “l’humour de l’escalier”. This phrase relates to that moment, on the way home after a particularly trying event, when the perfect riposte manifests itself and has to be wasted. There is a wonderful book, a copy of which I have sadly mislaid over numerous house moves, that is called “I wish I’d said that”. The reason for this post is that I have just remembered a couple of things from that book and can’t resist but to share them with you:
A short conversation between Jean Harlow and Margot Asquith, the acerbic aristocratic wit.
Jean Harlow: ” Oh, hi there, are you really the famous Margot Asquith” (pronouncing the “t” as in “got”)
Margot Asquith: “Yes, my dear, but the “t” is silent, as in Harlow.”
I’ve forgotten the other one now, so I’ll carry on eating my bread and cheese. The cheese is a wonderful Cantal Entre Deux and the chutney is Green Tomato and Apple which was made by Mary Cadogan.
What a great line! The ‘t’ is silent, as in Harlow! Thanks for the giggle.
Great isn’t it:)
James McNeill Whistler would say, “You will remember Roger, you will”
That cheese looks amazing!
Such a cool line – I love it:)
I think of Margot Asquith every time I go down Charlotte Street.
It’s a while since I’ve been there – the old Bertorelli’s, Schmidt’s, the White House – so many memories.
You realize this week I am trying not to eat the cheese I bought. You are not helping.
There’s more to come;)
That does look like excellent Cantal Entre Deux. ‘just weren’t forthcoming on demand’ is a great way to phrase it – I shall (try to) remember it!
Don’t keep using that word “remember”:)
I forgot what I was going to say………..but this is wonderful as ever!!!
Good to hear your seniority has aided that sharp memory, Christian:)
Curses: I have sworn off cheese for a while and your wonderful picture had me truly yearning. Love that Harlow anecdote.
It is easier to give up Lent. Just consider that Lent has been borrowed by another:)
If I could find cheese anything like those that your feature here, I’d never make another curd in my life!
“… the ‘t’ is silent, as in Harlow.” This will keep me chuckling for the rest of the day. Thanks, Roger.
It’s worth trying to hunt out a copy of the original book from the late 70′s to early 80′s. I’ve seen some newer versions and they don’t seem to contain the same subtle epithets that I remember. Did I just say remember?
Hehe! That was good: the shot, the cheese, the story…fantastic!
Thanks, Giovanna:)
Wonderful line, wonderful shot. I do envy you the cheese selection over there. And the freshness.
I’ve got another 3,000 French cheeses still to photograph
Define the word ‘age’ please: I seem to have forgotten
!
Am in hysterics: just looked at Celi’s ‘below’ mine and thought I’d better ‘fess up on my own comment rather than her’s since you had not had a chance to comment
! Oh, to ‘be’ on the blogs . . . well, some of them . . . make the day . . .
She’s pretty insane – no question.
When I remember, I’ll let you know
“Oh you mean.. ? ”
“Yeah that guy.. he lived around the corner from…”
“…Oh, the wee fella, yeah, I liked that fella, the bloke with the hair like a whatsit, the bowl thing. I can’t remember the last time we saw him. Was it where you fell over that time, after that night, at the canal place?”
“Oh yeah that funny pub.. the one with the pointy door… and the guy with the weasels”
“it was roundy”
“No, it wasn’t roundy, it was pointy, like his hat, you remember that fool?”
“Yeah”
“and that girl”
“yeah, I hated that girl”
“yeah”
c
I think you learnt to talk like that from the Old Codger. Very few people of your age speak old age as fluently as that. You must be cheating
Laughter! I actually had an old fella here the other day trying to give me directions to his house and he really did say down the road from the old fairbury house, the one with the big rock in his garden, Oh I said and the post, with the blackbird..without batting an eye he said yup thats the one.. crazy old coot! gotta love them! c
Sound like clear directions to me – and you found that funny!
I’m starting to say “I remember…” and I’m only 34. I think anything above 25 can validly say that phrase now.
Stop it at once, Yummy:)
Funny how in Japan we’d say the same thing about policemen!
I think it’s the same the world over. Take my advice, don’t look at policemen = it helps:)
In recent days, I’ve been saying to my husband repeatedly, “Do you remember when…” to which he replies, “Um… no, I don’t remember…” I think I need to stop asking and accepting that not everything is remembered.
Love the photo.
Sounds like early old age to me, Marina. Try to remember to cut the word “remember” out of your vocabular, if you remember
And the dialogue between Jean H and Margot A is excellent.
You should check out Margot Asquith’s quips – she was brilliant.
sigh ~ your lovely pictures always make me sad that cheese makes me ill ..the chutney would work, though… your posts are always such bits of joy even for non- foodies, thank you.
Thank you very much, Angela. I’ll have to find something delicious to photograph without cheese:)
You always remember to photograph the cheese so I’m thinking your memory cannot be so bad, although the pungent aromas must help.
It’s difficult to overlook cheese:)
Am loving these cheese shots and loved the line! Yes…I’m getting to that point too where I forget stuff and repeat myself…Yes…I’m getting to that point too where I forget stuff and repeat myself…(!)
hahaha!
What was that again?
Great line…so glad you it sprang back to life in your memory Roger…good laugh over that one…and the cheese shot, mmm so good! You do know how to perk a person’s appetite.
Say cheese:)
Roger, this looks fabulous. I’m so jealous of your skills.
Very kind, Zekki.Thanks.
I’m having so much fun catching up with your posts. Do I ……that chutney mentioned in a post about a visit to Mary Cadogan’s?
Do you what with that Chutney? It’s delicious, I can tell you that:)