Many congratulations Mark. How you produce so much, of such quality makes me feel both admiration and personally inadequate! I just about manage to find time to skim the delightful writings of the 3 people (of whom you are one) that I follow. Discovering Substack is a bit like when I used to buy a Sunday paper but only read the best bits in the supplement.
PS. Sourdough bread goo gives similar photographic effect.
Thank you so much. I love it here - it's the home of my writing and it gets all I can give it, so to know anyone appreciates it makes it all worthwhile
Any mention of Jerusalem artichokes always brings a happy memory for me; my first experience of them was on the Isle of Coll, when, aged 18, I was there with other hopefuls for a selection process to volunteer overseas with Project Trust. On our last day a few of us were set the task of digging up enough artichokes to feed us all and in the evening we donned our party gear and headed to the castle for artichoke curry and traditional Scottish dancing - our ability to cope with unusual food was all part of the selection process! At the end of a memorable evening we walked back to our various lodgings, pausing on the way to lie flat on our backs on rather cold ground (it was February) and marvel at the stars!
Wow, Sara, that sounds so special! I'm not surprised it comes back to your mind at the mention of Jerusalem artichokes - though I am impressed you weren't affected by them enough to prevent getting stuck into traditional Scottish dancing!
I never knew how to find out about the Cafe Murano evenings so thank you for the link. I’ve now signed up for the mailings and hope to go to one next year
Thanks for the mailing list link for Murano evenings. I got tickets to Meera Sodha in Feb - can’t wait! Husband and I had agreed to do something as our Christmas present to each other and this is perfect 🤩
Huge congratulations once again Mark. I’ll believe you that the phone was dropped in desert, but I did rather like the idea that the dewy, soft-focus was an art choice. Xx
Thanks Mark, that's very kind of you. A good day for sure. And yes, you must come to CMBC - make sure you sign up for the newsletter as they fill up crazily quickly sometimes
Thanks for giving Jerusalem Artichokes some space in your newsletter this week. I’ve had them around for several years. I can always count on them multiplying, attracting masses of flying things, producing delicious tubers of goodness...and, much to my annoyance this past year, bringing plenty of voles to the garden. Apparently, it’s their favorite food.
I’ve also played around with salsify this past week, hoping to turn thinly sliced pieces dipped briefly in ground nori sheets into something resembling the look of sliced lardo...it’s my vegan perspective at work, I guess...
Thank you Jack! I LOVE the sound of salsify with ground nori - I hope you'll be writing about that. And yes, my experience of voles is they love many of my favourite plants - grape vine roots and Jerusalem artichokes included!
Thanks Mark - I'm hugely chuffed as you can imagine, and I'm really convinced this place is a huge part of the future of writing for anyone who wants to take it by the horns
Many congratulations Mark. How you produce so much, of such quality makes me feel both admiration and personally inadequate! I just about manage to find time to skim the delightful writings of the 3 people (of whom you are one) that I follow. Discovering Substack is a bit like when I used to buy a Sunday paper but only read the best bits in the supplement.
PS. Sourdough bread goo gives similar photographic effect.
Thank you so much. I love it here - it's the home of my writing and it gets all I can give it, so to know anyone appreciates it makes it all worthwhile
🤸♀️🤸♀️🤸♀️🤸♀️ Another wonderful feast from MD.
Thank you Kevin!
Congratulations on your award, Mark!
Any mention of Jerusalem artichokes always brings a happy memory for me; my first experience of them was on the Isle of Coll, when, aged 18, I was there with other hopefuls for a selection process to volunteer overseas with Project Trust. On our last day a few of us were set the task of digging up enough artichokes to feed us all and in the evening we donned our party gear and headed to the castle for artichoke curry and traditional Scottish dancing - our ability to cope with unusual food was all part of the selection process! At the end of a memorable evening we walked back to our various lodgings, pausing on the way to lie flat on our backs on rather cold ground (it was February) and marvel at the stars!
Wow, Sara, that sounds so special! I'm not surprised it comes back to your mind at the mention of Jerusalem artichokes - though I am impressed you weren't affected by them enough to prevent getting stuck into traditional Scottish dancing!
Please tell me you licked the dessert off the phone
OF COURSE
I never knew how to find out about the Cafe Murano evenings so thank you for the link. I’ve now signed up for the mailings and hope to go to one next year
They're such good evenings Kate - I'm sure you'd love it, but do move fast, as they often sell out in minutes
Same!
Thanks for the mailing list link for Murano evenings. I got tickets to Meera Sodha in Feb - can’t wait! Husband and I had agreed to do something as our Christmas present to each other and this is perfect 🤩
That’s so good to hear Hannah - and hats off to you moving quickly as there were only a few tickets left at 7 this evening. See you there!
Huge congratulations once again Mark. I’ll believe you that the phone was dropped in desert, but I did rather like the idea that the dewy, soft-focus was an art choice. Xx
I yelled at my assistant '70s, make it 70s...anything to hide the wrinkles!' Thank you JP xx
Love it! 🤣🩷
Congratulations once again, Mark - so so happy for you!
Must join you for a CMBC next year - I always think they look like so much fun 😊
Thanks Mark, that's very kind of you. A good day for sure. And yes, you must come to CMBC - make sure you sign up for the newsletter as they fill up crazily quickly sometimes
A always love the compendiums. but this one made me giggle. Congratulations on the award and thanks for being my favourite substack.
What a great thing to read on a chilly Thursday morning - thank you so much Joanne
Thanks for the shout-out, Mark! And many congrats on new well-deserved feather in yr cap…
Thank you Elisabeth, and you are most welcome - I enjoy everything you do
Congratulations on a well-deserved award!
Thanks for giving Jerusalem Artichokes some space in your newsletter this week. I’ve had them around for several years. I can always count on them multiplying, attracting masses of flying things, producing delicious tubers of goodness...and, much to my annoyance this past year, bringing plenty of voles to the garden. Apparently, it’s their favorite food.
I’ve also played around with salsify this past week, hoping to turn thinly sliced pieces dipped briefly in ground nori sheets into something resembling the look of sliced lardo...it’s my vegan perspective at work, I guess...
Thank you Jack! I LOVE the sound of salsify with ground nori - I hope you'll be writing about that. And yes, my experience of voles is they love many of my favourite plants - grape vine roots and Jerusalem artichokes included!
Congratulations on the GMG award Mark - that's amazing and much deserved. You really have been leading the way with the whole substack thing!
Thanks Mark - I'm hugely chuffed as you can imagine, and I'm really convinced this place is a huge part of the future of writing for anyone who wants to take it by the horns
LOVE the description of you free wheeling down the cutting after drinking rum Beautiful writing.
Is that the one where the dog gets... you know...?
I'm saying nothing...
Should be on the cover. ⚠️