Titanarum

Did you see Prof Regan on BBC 2 the other day? She’s the one who tests the science behind claims for probiotic youghurt, beauty creams and now organic produce. And guess what? Organic produce cannot claim to have the upper hand neither with taste nor healthiness. I’m with that woman even though her red lipstick, pointed shoes with kitten heals and smug middleclass assertiveness do get me down. I wish no ill on organic farmers. Those who buy their stuff (and I do too if it is reasonably priced) do so not to become healthier or make better tasting food but to show sympathy for a gentler and less mechanical way of farming. I’m particularly interested in supporting animal husbandry that shows kindness and respect towards animals. But again the organic, free range lobby often come across as a religious sect. I buy free range chicken now because that does taste better (as the animals are allowed on average twice the life span and use of muscles and hence flavour) and because I would rather have less meat and pay more if that means a better quality of life for the animals. But whether they are reared organically or not, I couldn’t care less.

The freesias will have to go. I planted them, with all the goodness of my heart, just after Xmas. I was in the grips of a dark, leafless and wintry gloom and needed to cheer myself up with some hope. And what is growing stuff if not hope? Yes, it was early. Three months early according to the instructions. But hey, what’s the point of instructions if not to ignore them? But I shouldn’t have. I was so wrong. As mentioned in an earlier post, they’ve been looking a bit too lanky lately. Not elegant freesia lanky but spotted teenager lanky. And brown spots are now showing on every single bulb. So ugly are they becoming I’ve had to hide them behind a curtain. But let’s face out of sight isn’t out of mind. The misshaped growths are a constant reminder of my fallibility and I cannot bear it much longer.I would have loved to show you a photo of the bulbs complete with flowers set. I would have loved to gloat. But in this instance I’ve accepted that admitting defeat is my only option. So to all you manufacturers of freesia bulbs out there: I hope you’re happy now.