Emerging from hibernation

 Another plan from the bad ideas club... I keep reading in the science press about projects that are looking at the possibility of humans tapping into their dormant genes that would enable them to hibernate like bears and that this might be a great option for long-distance space travel. (Ah yes, long-distance space travel, that elusive dream that's been alive all my long life! Like maglev trains! And personal helicopters!) Look, guys, half a glance at most of the sci-fi films of the last sixty years would make you realise that every space ship crew that's ever been in suspended animation or hibernation has had a bad time!

I mention this because this winter has been lousy and I have done very little except try to keep warm indoors. My gas bill was emailed to me yesterday but I daren't open it and will wait for the paper copy to come by the slow postal system before I look at it. The whole point of moving to the Italian riviera was to enjoy subtropical coastline that didn't need lots of central heating, woolly clothes and Ready Brek in the winter months! But it's been consistently around 3°C below the seasonal average, which is a lot, and wet and windy too for much of the time. In the past there were always some days in January or February where it was sunny enough to eat lunch outdoors, but not in 2025. I feel robbed.

Thankfully, the TGirl wardrobe comes into its own as it's so much easier to layer women's clothes. I'd especially like to endorse Marks & Spencer 40 denier Body Sensor™ thermal regulator tights that really do serve both on cold as well as milder days and, being black opaques, seem to go with everything, have an even tone with a slight sheen and don't slip down. I've worn them practically every day. Well done, M&S. A real winner.

Keeping warm with hot tea, sweater, wool skirt and M&S body sensor tights

So life has been mainly indoors these last three months. But I've taken the opportunity to test new nail polishes and try out new perfumes. 

I keep getting free samples of perfume and I'm always looking for my new favourite. Test results in due course.

I'd also like to find some new jewellery as my current collection is a bit tatty. I do have a couple of expensive items but most of my stuff is costume jewellery just for fun so it doesn't matter if it gets lost or broken.

Still, there are various local craft and antiques markets over the next two weekends and jewellery tends to feature big on the stalls there there so let's see if I find anything pretty.

According to the long-term weather forecast, next week looks much better, much more spring-like. So I have bought various packets of seeds in anticipation - both flowers and herbs - and a new tub for Arnold the Olive who is growing into a big healthy boy now. The tub's twice the volume of the old one. I'm proud of him as he gave me my first crop of olives last autumn at just three years old. When I got him as a cutting he was little bigger than a manicured finger here. So this morning I transplanted Arnold to his new roomy home and I hope he will thrive. He looks healthy, if a little scruffy. 

Arnold before transplant

Food and slimming

My slimming drive has stalled, though, with no weight loss in February. I'm afraid that colder weather means stodgier food and a preference for red wine that is always fattening! I'll be glad when salads become attractive again! That said, I've been enjoying new recipes and have found a good food delivery company that brings me some excellent stuff either for the freezer or fresh. 

My weird green pepper within a red pepper. Very Addams Family, but it still got eaten!

I used to be in a rush for breakfast when going out to work so would opt for easily spreadable olive or sunflower oil spreads but I have now reverted to butter as you actually use much less of a real wholemilk butter as it's so tasty. My latest brand is from the Valtellina in the Alps where the cows eat proper mountain grass. Coupled with sweet orange marmalade that is harvested from lands sequestered from the mafia in Sicily at the opposite end of the country, it makes a heavenly breakfast, and the social benefits are there too!

Here oranges and lemons are being harvested now and I'm hoping to find ravioli flavoured with citrus again this year. These are only found in this area and only at this time of year. They are amazing, though.

 

Ongoing comment fault 

I've set aside this weekend to try to resolve the fault with Blogger and comment replies. Sorry it's taking me time but you need a degree in computing to do anything these days!

 

White rabbits

Thanks for reading. Let's hope the spring comes properly soon. Much as I love winter boots and cute sweaters, I'll be glad to wear something lighter, floatier and more floral. 

I was always told to exclaim "white rabbits!" before saying anything else on March 1st, which is tomorrow. This is supposed to bring you luck and a happy spring. Which is what I wish you. 

I dare say there are other seasonal traditions elsewhere and I'd be interested to know them.

Sue x