This is a new cocktail I shook up with a fermented elderberry syrup (sweet, sour, lightly alcoholic), rum and early summer's honeysuckle cordial. It's not as sweet as it sounds. And elderberries are very interesting.
Name suggestions?
The glass is resting on my friend Stephen Orr's really good and very beautiful book, The New American Herbal (no the drink did not sweat on the book). I love dipping into it when I take a break from my own plants.
The parts of the weekend you do not see are the meltdown, the hair pulling and the gnashing of teeth. I was a little overwhelmed by the work still to do on my book, and then a serious camera glitch pushed me right over the edge.
The Frenchman weathered it, somehow. He also quietly ensured that within 24 hours a brand new camera was not only bought but delivered to the front door (the 21st century is magical in this way). Then he did the laundry, put it away, made the bed, bought two nights of dinners and cleaned the kitchen.
Now that. Is a husband. I feel quite small.
After the meltdown I made black cherry ketchup, elderberry soup and wrote 6,000 words.
Then we ate Trader Joe's pizza, and watched possums.
I think "Early Summer Fizz" is a lovely name
ReplyDeleteI also love fizz names, though it may be Late Summer? :-)
Delete"Rumberry suckle"? "Meltdown fix"? "Sweet & Sour Shakeup"?
ReplyDeleteKeep 'em coming!
Deletehoneysuckle rose
Deleteunless that's already taken
Elderberry Delight.
ReplyDeleteOooo "Firefly Fizz"
ReplyDeletePossum Run
We do still have one or two fireflies...
DeletePossum Run is maybe a little like what happens when a possum eats too many green peaches?
du courage, this too shall pass...
ReplyDeleteHow about 'Possum Punch' for the drink?
Thank you, Cecile.
DeletePossum Punch sounds like when possums get in a fight. I rather like 'Du Courage' :-)
Meltdowns will happen. Books will be written. That Frenchman is a keeper! Sending you strength to carry on...
ReplyDeleteMarie, I understand what a work deadline can do, particularly if the work involved is one's artistry. Self-employed on 1-to-3-month-long projects done pursuant to contracts, I got to the point where every work deadline pushed me over the edge (and down the cliff face). That is why I no longer enter into any contract that imposes a set-in-stone deadline for a work product. Artistry takes its own time. If you do not feel that you are in a position to reject rigid deadlines in your book contracts, a good literary agent or attorney may be able to advise or otherwise help you. (Forgive me if I am merely saying what you already well know.) Best wishes, Leslie P.S. Interesting how a meltdown sometimes is followed by a surge of accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Leslie :-) Book publishers can't work very well with fuzzy deadlines as so much is involved in the post writing phase. Their end is very time consuming, too, and must be planned well in advance. I have no complaints at all about my publisher - they have been very clear and very good at communicating. That is not always the case. It is not a small project, this one, and if there is any fault it is mine, in terms of time management. So no attorneys needed, at all. I have always suffered from performance anxiety, whether on stage or on paper. I pee in my pants until it is all over. Some part of me must like it :/
DeleteGood grief, not sure whether I'm reeling from the Frenchman or the 6,000 words. Either one is absolutely breathtaking. The Frenchman, of course, is the long term keeper of the two ... :) Mary
ReplyDeleteBon courage! Technical problems threaten to break me too. Glad you had the Frenchman to lean into. And a cocktail to soothe the nerves...A Technical Tizz Fizz?
ReplyDeleteBon courage! Cela passera aussi and the Frenchman is a gem among men.
ReplyDelete