Last night I finished reading ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ by Colombian Nobel prizewinner Gabriel Garcia Marquez. First published in Argentina in 1967 this book was in the forefront of magical realism, and, as such, made the author anxious about its reception. Although there were some detractors the work has remained popular for more than the following half century.
Magic there is in abundance in the flowing, descriptive, language, the characterisation and the fantastic tales therein. The reality comes in the breadth of the inventive development of the 20th century. As usual I will not even attempt to tell the story, but can, without revealing too much, say that by tracing the imaginative history of a nation-founding dynasty, the writer symbolises the making of South America and of the world.
My 1991 edition, part of Jonathan Cape’s collected set, contains a family tree which goes some way to unravelling who’s who in this saga of longevity of a family whose members often share similar names.
Gregory Rabassa has produced the translation from the Spanish, which I can only assume is true to the original.
Late this morning Jackie drove me to Milford on Sea for Peter to cut my hair at Sears Barbers.
This afternoon I bagged up another heap of the Head Gardener’s rose clippings, then tied up some stems of red
Super Elfin and pink Penny Lane accompanying clematis Dr Ruppel on the Gothic arch.
Later we drove into the overcast forest which seemed overpopulated with lethargic ponies and cattle. I chose to focus on just two of the equines who occupied the usual central spot on Forest Road.
Tails twitching, they rapidly departed the safety of the oak tree, and adopted the customary head to tail stance enabling each to whisk away at flies irritating their partner’s muzzle. No way were they going to budge for any vehicles which could only pass the stubborn barrier by lurching off the eroded edge of tarmac at risk to their undercarriage.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s succulent ‘sunflower’ beef pie; swede mash; boiled new potatoes; crunchy carrots and cauliflower; with meaty gravy. The Culinary Queen drank Beck’s and I finished the Malbec.
One hundred years of solitude is one of my favourites.
And Jackie’s sunflower pie could also be my favourite too. It looks scrumptious.
x
Thanks a lot, Melanie. The pie was scrumptious. X
It looked fantastic ??
Yet another one of my favorite writers and favorite books, Derrick. I have been assured that this translation is excellent, which was quite a challenging task, according to my colleagues.
The head-to-tail black and white is very expressive, and the roses are marvelous. So is Jackie’s pie – gorgeous!
This post made my day today; thank you.
That is lovely, Dolly. Thank you, too.
My pleasure, Derrick.
Now, as someone who grew up in a Swedish household — or at least with Swedish grandparents — I have to ask about that Swede mash. I’ve been trying to think about dishes my grandmother made that might qualify, and all I can remember is a potato/onion dish she made. She certainly never produced anything as elegant as Jackie’s pie — that’s a beautiful dish, and I’m sure it was quite tasty, too.
I believe our Swede is your Rutabaga. The pie was tasty, indeed. Thanks very much, Linda.
So it is. I’ve never tasted rutabaga, but I’ve learned that it’s originally from Scandinavia, and that the Irish will carve the veggie at Halloween rather than pumpkins. Who knew?
The internet is a fund of information 🙂
The horses do like that middle-of-the-road stance! A lovely post, finished up with a yummy looking pie!
Thanks very much, Janet.
I do admire your output, Derrick. To fit in the wealth of reading as well as the expert photography and the effort of turning your activities into a most readable daily blog is extremely impressive.
Thanks very much indeed, Roland. Retirement has made it all possible.
That gothic arch with pathway and roses is beautiful. It looks like something from an old house or church garden. The horses made me laugh. I guess I wouldn’t move if I were them either.
I remember thinking One Hundred Years of Solitude was wonderful, but I really don’t remember much of it now.
Jackie’s pie is stunning!
Thanks very much, Merril. I don’t remember much of books either. 🙂
Well, there is a lot to that particular book, and I read it when my older daughter was in high school, I think. ?
I very much liked that book a long time ago. Great photos!
Thanks very much, Sylvie.
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If there’s any pie left, I’ll pop over. It looks very tempting.
Half left for tomorrow 🙂 Thanks a lot, Sheree
Gorgeous pie ?
Thanks a lot, Sherry.
And they say donkeys are stubborn!
Swede mash is one of my favourites goes perfectly with another favourite white cabbage.
Jackie is there no end to your talents, the pie looks mouth-wateringly delicious.
Thanks very much, Sue.
The answer to your query re my talents is – YES. I thank you for the thought!
A teacher friend/co-worker gave me One Hundred Years of Solitude for Christmas one year. I devoured it over the holidays. What a tale!
Indeed. Thanks very much, Leslie.
Reading a good book at night is always great. That pie looks so delicious
Thank you very much, More.
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I LOVED One Hundred Years of Solitude!! I can also recommend a short story by Garcia Marquez, if you haven’t already read it: “The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World.” I particuarly like the “Gothic Arch” photo. It has a very “Secret Garden” feel to it. Is the grey horse our friend Freckles? That sunflower beef pie is a work of art!
Thank you so much fo all the comments, Liz. I can see why you thought of Freckles but she is a domesticated horse. Jackie always decorates her pies, and this one was certainly exceptional.
You’re welcome, Derrick. You have so many horses in your area, it’s hard to keep them straight!
🙂
I loved ‘One hundred years of solitude’. Love the look of that pie too. Yummo!
Thanks a lot on both counts, Peggy.
The arch is spectacular! Yum…any leftovers? That pie should be on the cover of a cooking magazine.
Thanks very much, Jill. Half has been left for today. You are right about the magazine.
I read the novel several years ago. It’s a monumental piece of literature.
Indeed. Thank you very much, Rosaliene.
Couldn’t help but notice brands on the horses. They appear to be freeze brands, instead of hot brands. Love it that they both have their spot in the road, and keep it to themselves.
Thanks a lot, Maj. You may be right about these particularly brands, but have a look at this: https://derrickjknight.com/2016/08/30/the-drift/
I suppose there’s less flies on the tarmac under the shade of the big tree…. I wouldn’t budge either Derrick….
They sure have got it worked out, Ivor. Thanks very much.
It’s a wonderful arrangement of cooperation the ponies have learned to deal with flies. Maybe there are fewer flies on the road than in the forest and that is why they prefer the road?
That could be, JoAnna. Thanks very much.
Hi D, that beef pie – oh my!
and getting a hair cut at the barber – yeah – the world is slowly opening (hopefully)
also – loved that single rose photo – all of them here – but esp that one
Thank you so much, Yvette.
🙂
I have delved into that magnificent, peerless saga and was lost in its labyrinths when some pressing matter in the immediate universe I inhabit extricated and held me back obdurately. I suspect that book is crafted on an alternate plane of consciousness that doesn’t yield to description easily. I am afraid I will have to begin from scratch whenever I choose to re-enter the saga.
The black pony possesses a high degree of blackness. Had his companion been one hued in chaste white, the pair would have thrown the metering system of the camera into a tizzy. They too, seem to exist in a delirious world of their own like the Lotus Eaters.
You are, of course, right about the book. It was, however, easier to follow than Finnegan’s Wake. You are also right about the B/W problem for photography. When I was still using film portraits of daughter, Louisa, and son-in-law, Errol were quite difficult to gauge. A cyclist passing the pony pair commented that they had a mid of their own. Thanks a lot, Uma.
So, was your undercarriage put into risk of damage.
10/10 for the appearance of that pie, and I would warrant that it rated the same for taste.
Cheers.
Thanks a lot, Yvonne. We did once get stuck on a dropped verge when cyclists came straight at us on the brow of a hill. The pie was superb.
i notice the horses often linger on the road, under the trees. could there be less flies? Jackie’s sunflower pie looks delicious!
Thanks very much, Lola. That seems to be the attraction of the trees.
Is “lust” an appropriate word for a beef pie? I would argue that it is, for that beautiful creation at least.
Thanks a lot, John. It only lacks the cow horns.
Peter!!! Oh! I like when you’ve showed photos of him…he has a wonderful smile! Glad you got your hair did, Derrick!!! 🙂
Pass the pie. Please. 😉 😀 Jackie!!! What a beautiful pie and I’m SURE it WAS succulent!!!
Oh, the horses…they are like, “Don’t you people see we got a thing goin’ on here?!?!” 😉 😛
I’m sure the horse with the white face is talking to the other horse and is like, “Why won’t you answer me?” And then realizes…”Oops! Talking to the wrong end!” HA! I crack myself up!!! 😀
HUGS and enjoy your day today!!! 🙂
Thank you so much for your witty comments from us both, Carolyn X
The garden is still looking good. And that is officially a Pie. Looks a belter.
Thanks a lot, Gary
Smart move to stay put into the the ponies and cattle’s have passed. I love the black/white image of the pony the branding really stands out. I don’t think it would have caught my eye if the photography was in color.
Thanks very much, msw
Beautiful clemantis.
I’m going to read One Hundred Years of Solitude this fall – making a commitment. That pie looks delicious. I’ve only had chicken pot pie so this would be a nice change!
Thanks very much, Barbara. Telling us all means you are bound to read it.
That beautiful beef pie and gravy sounds like a tasty meal! Those horses look bigger than the little cars.
So they do, Dwight. Thanks very much
Holy cats, that is one beautiful pie crust!
It sure is. Thanks a lot, Laurie.
I hope I will get around to reading that book one day, Derrick. Meanwhile, Jackie’s pie looks delicious!
Thanks very much, Sandra. The book rewards a bit of effort
Those two horses got in some mutual nose-to-tail fly relief their. I noticed the branding on them, “FA” I wonder if that is the owner’s initials?
I think it is, Lavinia. Thanks very much
Jackie’s sunflower pie looks too beautiful to eat, but I bet it was delicious!
Agreed. It was. Thanks very much, Lavinia.
Beautiful beef pie I’ve ever seen!
🙂 Thanks so much, Byung
Quite a novel!–And it isn’t fair, putting the sunflower beef pie there. Drooling now.
Sorry about the pie, Cynthia – Not :). Thanks very much.
So beautiful those roses ?
Can I come for dinner please? That sunflower beef pie looks gorgeous ? Too pretty to eat though ?? Your Culinary Queen is super talented ?
Thank you so much, Ribana. You would be welcome.
The photography of the ponies is particularly good in this post. Very beautiful snaps.
Thank you so much, Geetha
You are welcome Derrick