It’s “more” than spring - I could almost feel the scent of summer today. The first swallows arrived and I could hear their enchanting chatter. Unfortunately this also means the gardening season needs to be started up for real.
It was a hard day though. Almost like a “hangover day” since I danced all night and had 45 minutes drive home on top of that. And what a night! Since it is a bank holiday everybody was there meaning it was too crowded. So dancing the way I wanted was almost impossible. Instead I was caught by a Latino party feeling meaning more quantity than quality regarding dancing. And when however and I had had my amount of dance for at least a few days. I drove home with a happy smile from ear to ear.
Today I took it really easy. I slept half day and then I spent some hours by the computer and some in the garden. In the evening we all had BBQ accompanied by a really good wine.
And the nettles - where did they enter the scene?
The best part of the gardening today was the germinating nettles I found at the west façade of the barn. With rubber gloves on I harvested the sprouts, cooked them, chopped them and prepared them like spinach cooked in white full fat cream sauce.
But the taste is far from spinach. Swedish nettles are a real delicacy. A taste of it’s own - a touch of wood, meadows, mushrooms and summer. I promise you that if you overcome the initial resistance of eating nettles - you will never regret it. It must be experienced - it cannot be explained! And it´s addictive. Really addictive!
On top of this great meal I like the metaphore. To handle something sticky and get something good out of it. To turn something boring to something filled with joy. And perhaps even to turn something painful into something good.
I´ve been told now by old webfriend below that I was wrong in the explanation. Do never trust one dictionary. Look phrases up in at least three before you try to use the new idiom. But why not combine - the true explanation and mine ;-)
This was supposed to be an aprichot tree. Now the wildplum root has taken over. The first frost took all apricot branches.
2 comments:
hi Bettina,
That sounds fascinating about the nettles & cream sauce. Since you said this blog was to practice your English, I'll make a couple of observations. Your english is excellent but there are some small things that give it away.
"Enchanting chatter" was strange to read. But I can't really tel why. I think it's because "enchanting" suggests creating a magical spell, a trance, whereas "chatter" suggests something distracting, that would break a trance.
"it cannot be told": it's clear what you mean but it also shows you are not a native English speaker. "told" is transitive. You tell someone to do something. If they are the sort of person who never obeys, then they "cannot be told". Use "explained" or "described" instead.
Finally, grasp the nettle is based on the idea that a nettle will sting if you brush against it, but will not sting if you grab it firmly (I don't know if this is true!) so it is about having the courage to take firm action rather than hesitating. But I like your interpretation better actually!
Thanks Sweavo!
The barn swallows chat was really magic and enchanting. Listen: http://www.10x50.com/Sound_files/swallow_w.wav
At least it is magic the first time of the year you hear it. Objection overruled ;-)
About graps the nettle – I´m really good at putting new meanings into words and idioms. Neologism?
The first time I looked up a translation of this phrase it was explained only as “to deal with a sticky task”. But now I know your version is the correct one.
The Swedish nettles however are not that easy to handle. They hurt no matter how you grab them. But the cure very often growing right beside them - Cow-Parsley(Keck). Take a leaf and press out some juice on the wound. It is as effective as cortisone. But it´s there and not at home.
And now I´m going to do some editing…
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