The Portrait

I have not mentioned our heating problem recently because I am bored with it. However, ever since the end of November several of our radiators have resisted all our efforts to bleed them. Because this has been, until now, a comparatively mild winter in terms of temperature, and because one or more of our residents has been battling a virus we have managed without engineers reluctant to enter a plague house.

Now, during the coldest two or three days of the year the boiler has decided to pile on the agony. We have had no heating for two days and nights. Ronan, of Tom Sutton Heating, responded immediately this morning with an emergency visit on which he discovered and replaced a blocked filter between the oil tank outside and the pipe entering the house.

After lunch I read the next story in the Folio Society Gogol selection which serves as the title of this post.

Beginning with an engaging description of a range of local people from all walks of life the author continues in this vein with a further range of individuals, displaying a thorough knowledge of characters through their physiognomy, their clothing and its condition, their occupations, and their activities or otherwise.

One of those interested in the works in the art shop is our main protagonist who recognises the quality of one painting among the dross –

as depicted by Peter Sturt, a striking, well executed, portrait with seemingly magical powers, which had a profound effect on the skill and the lot of Tchertkov who, tempted by fame and fortune, abandoned his early love of sensitive depiction for more traditional commercial work.

Eventually he does his best to reverse the process by changing his life in a way which I do not wish to reveal, and it is only in the second part of the story that we realise the subject of the portrait.

This evening we all dined on tasty Ferndene sausages; more of yesterday’s piri-piri chicken; creamy mashed potatoes; firm cauliflower and carrots; chopped cauliflower leaves, and meaty gravy, with which Jackie drank Pique-Nique rosé 2022, and I drank The Guv’nor.

79 comments

  1. Excellent illustration and the mood it evokes seems perfect. I am grateful that you have heat, but so sad to hear about the plague and the cold. I hope the radiators and boiler cooperate for the rest of the season.

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  2. It is so unfair to have two years of inadequate heating despite the heroic efforts of your family and the people who have been working on the problem. Hope this time it will get fixed. At least you have good books to read and a great culinary queen to fix warm, hearty meals.

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  3. Speaking of spooky ~ did you happen to raise a toast to Edgar Allan Poe at dinner tonight? It’s his 215th birthday! The funniest cartoon for the day showed the Raven perched above Poe’s desk. The caption was, “The passive-aggressive Raven,” and the Raven was saying, “Never mind.”

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  4. Mmm, mashed potatoes are so delicious, I have a serious weak spot for them and smothered in gravy! I’m glad you guys have a warm home again, Derrick. My folks’ home was built in the early 1900s and was recently converted from oil to propane that heats the water instead of oil. It’s never a cheap fix, is it…

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  11. Not the heating again! I’m glad the boiler has been fixed, but has it managed to send heat to the radiators? I ask because you and I with our oil fired central heating often mirror each other.
    Last year the radiators in our loft bedrooms had the same problem. The boiler engineer reset the pressure gauge and the problem was solved.

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  12. The portrait with it’s magical powers sounds interesting! I am reminded of Dorian Gray.

    I am glad the source of the heating problem has been found and fixed.

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  14. I read a book not long ago I think you would like, Derrick. A Swim in the Pond in the Rain by George Saunders. He teaches classes in Russian Literature and Creative Writing at Syracuse University. I’m happy your heat is back.

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  18. The Guv’nor is an interesting name for a wine. My son in Glasgow battles with heating and his boiler from time to time – still being unused to these northern hemisphere essentials. I hope you will all be warm from now on and that the forecast gales won’t blow you all about too much.

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  19. ‘Tis a bummer to be without heat when it is needed. (sad face)
    The Portrait sounds interesting! Makes me think…Dorian Gray…but very different. 🙂
    Your meal sounds like it was hearty, warm, and comfy-food! 🙂
    (((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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  20. Hope the house is warm again. You wrote, “no heating for two days and nights” how does the little one cope with cold days?

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  22. I’m sorry to hear about your heating problems (again). After just one morning without heat here, I can sympathize. I’m happy for you it’s been repaired. I hope the sick resident is feeling better soon and doesn’t infect anyone else.
    Another fascinating story and illustration.

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    1. Yes. But so different that I didn’t make the comparison. As you know there are only so many themes for a story writer. Thanks very much, Robbie

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  28. Wow! The stunning illustration is fascinating and really evokes a mood. I’m sorry to hear about your heating woes and I am glad you got it fixed.

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  33. No heat in winter sounds miserable, especially as I imagine you’re dealing with a damp cold. I’m glad someone could respond quickly and resolve at least part of the issue. I hope things are back to normal soon with working heat and a healthy household.

    Reply

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