Sunday smörgåsbord #037 - 3.3
This week: Ghost stories, tango lessons and telling tales. Plus morning swims and eating my greens.
NB: [PW] signifies a paywall, though some providers allow you to read a set number of articles for free.
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Features & Podcasts
‘The infidelity coach who told me how to cheat on my wife’, The Times. I was laughing out loud in bed the other morning reading this rather, shall I say, ‘enlightening’ interview with self-proclaimed ‘infidelity coach’, Albert Arnaiz. Reading it I felt equal parts mystified, horrified, and amused, with at least half of the laugh out loud moments were thanks to the journalist’s deadpan line of questioning. Worth a read just for the encounter (nothing else, honest!)
‘A new start after 60: I learned to tango – now I’m out in clubs till 3am’, The Guardian. I meant to feature this a few weeks ago and completely forgot until it appeared in my mind’s eye like a psychic reminder. Maybe it was having just started my dance class again? I’m always finding myself drawn to stories about older women, those who are re-discovering their past hobbies, or about finding interesting ways to meet new people. Well, this one has all three plus tango, a dance I’ve always wanted to try. I’m a big believer that when you sing or dance for fun you can become ageless, young again (even if you look awful doing it). Victoria Zaragoza-Martinez reminds me that it’s never too late to try something new, maybe even tango lessons.
‘Everyone Knows That: can you identify the lost 80s hit baffling the internet?’, The Guardian. From a young age I had a very specific party trick: I was able to identify songs from within the first opening bars. Granted, this was much more lauded a ‘gift’ at the age of ten when your teachers are astounded at the fact you can identify every single 80s Christmas hit in three seconds like some kind of pop culture Rain Man. So when I saw this story pop up on the Guardian I felt a surge of that excitement I feel when a pub quiz taskmaster announces an intro round: ‘this is my moment’. Of course, I had no idea - most likely as it doesn’t fit into the 80s pop I grew up listening to on repeat. Do you know what it is?
Ghost Story, Wondery [podcast]. I’ve been enjoying listening to this podcast in the mornings as I get myself ready to start the day. I’ve never been really into supernatural stories, but this gets the balance just right between ghost story, true crime, and family drama (Tristan Redman’s own). I’m loving the deep dive into the story of the illustrious Darcy family, including a feted patriarch who may not have been quite what he seemed, and a mother who, was more than they realised. But this podcast it just as fascinating when diving into the family narrative created around their ancestors, and how hard it is to call such powerful legend into question, even a century later.
Arts, Culture & Entertainment
True Detective, HBO, Series 4. Until I watched True Detective in my early twenties, I was half-convinced I was the only person in the world having existential crises on a regular basis. I jest, but I do remember watching the first series of this deep, meaningful and often depressing crime show, and feeling surprised to see such confronting conversations about the meaning of life captured, displayed and dissected on prime time television. I felt seen. Maybe too much so, as I never watched another series of the show, until now. This latest incarnation features Jodie Foster as the - frankly awful - police chief of a small Alaskan mining town, and Kali Reis as the trooper forced to work with her to investigate the spooky disappearance of an entire research station. It’s creepy, scary and hard to stop watching. Keep an eye out for Christopher Eccleston popping up to support what is a stellar cast.
The Fifth Child, Doris Lessing. Last weekend I went what I think was my first ever writing retreat. I had such a good time - it was so special and so helpful that I think I’m going to do a little write up of it for a future post. As prep for the weekend we were asked to read this short but seminal work by Nobel prize-winner Doris Lessing. Having 1) studied Literature for my degree, and 2) always chosen what I call the ‘woman question’ for all my undergrad essays, it’s shocking that I made it through four years of studying English and two degrees without reading any of her work. This one proved a good one to start with, telling the tale of Harriet and David Lovatt, and their insatiable desire for children in 1960s Britain. Despite the protestations of family and friends at the speed at which they are enlarging their family, all is relatively idyllic in the Lovatt Household… until Ben, child number five, arrives - and nothing is the same again. I recommend if you’re looking for something easy to read but which makes you think: it’s fast, furious and still packs a punch even sixty years after it was written
Book Lovers Unplugged - Spoken word, prose and poetry open mic, Book Lovers Valencia. I’ve managed to go almost five years of living in Valencia without ever setting foot in this book store which is crazy but also for the best, as I generally can’t leave a book shop empty-handed. This time I just about managed it (though I lingered on a beautiful edition of Plath’s Ariel) thanks to how filled up I was by the words, stories and memories of thirteen brave writers who took to the stage this Leap Day to share their work. I was really impressed by the quality and the range of the pieces shared: from live songs, harrowing memoir, and poems performed with gusto. A kind friend shared the event with me with a prompt to consider reading my own work there one day. The audience were huge in number, but supportive enough that I feel like I’m one step closer to giving it a go!
Lifestyle
Roasted cabbage with lime, coriander and garlic dressing. Back in January you may recall me sharing a recipe I found for Herby, Cabbage Broth - a delicious if slightly austere-sounding dish that makes enough for several meals. Hankering for a nutritious lunch fare that wasn’t a chicken wrap (my go-to) I duly bought half a cabbage at the market Monday. Fast forward to Thursday and I had zero time and one cabbage half to consume in twenty-four hours. To get through it quickly I discarded the soupy side of the recipe, roasting the shredded leaves. With no lemons nor parsley to hand I used a lime and some sad-looking coriander, with the garlic, oil and vinegar of the original dressing recipe. The cabbage roasted in twenty to thirty minutes before I moved it to a bowl and drenched it in the dressing. Just the right amount of cooking for my lunch hour, and worth the effort too.
As part of my commitment to cultivating vitality this year (see more on my word for the year here), I’ve been going for a morning swim on the first Friday of each month with my friend, Sarah. It’s been such a special way to start the month, and the more we do it, the more I want to do it (I’ve been thinking to myself: why not each week? Watch this space). This Friday gone, the sun was out and I was excited thinking it was probably going to be a bit warmer than Jan or Feb, until Andy informed me the sea is often coldest in March. He was right. It was possibly the coldest it’s been. But we felt all the better for a bracing dip!
Our Friday morning dip in the Med
And adding to the list of reasons why I love living in Spain, I started Friday at the beach and ended it on the slopes (or thirty kilometres from them) in the Spanish Pyrenees. It hadn’t been planned but a rare free weekend, a positive snow forecast and some friends who were game meant everything came together very quickly and Friday afternoon we set off on the four-and-a-half hour car journey to the mountains. In the end the snow wasn’t just good, but too good - we ended up stranded in the resort town until late Saturday night thanks to the never-ending snowfall. Luckily we found a hotel with roaring fire and welcoming bar to wait out the storm, all aided by a lovely housekeeper who took pity on me and put my soaked thermals in the tumble dryer.
Substacks
‘How to lengthen your life’ - Oldster Magazine
A reminder that we can all live more intentional lives, and the positive side effects of doing so, in this featured essay by Alain De Botton.
‘How to start an affordable art collection’ - You’ve Got Lauren
I’m a sucker for a well-curated Substack how-to or list. You know the ones: where it’s not just the content that speaks to you, but the form it takes, whether a painstakingly constructed collage or inviting digital flatlay. This is a great example from Lauren Neufeld - and appropriately on how to curate your own treasure trove collection of beautiful things. I’ll add vases to the list of objet d’art that can be more affordable - and I’ve found ‘up-and-coming’ work I like via Partnership Editions. This is also your reminder: if you love a friend’s work, commission them!
That’s it for this week. I hope you find something in this list that sparks joy or curiosity.
If you’ve got any recommendations on articles, podcasts, Substacks or shows for me to dive into, please drop them in the comments. Until next time!
❤️ If you liked this post don’t forget to hit the heart to let me know and help others find my writing.
📮 And if you’re not yet subscribed, all editions of Sunday smörgåsbord are free forever. Sign up for free and get next week’s in your inbox.
Thank you so much for the share Emma! 🖼️
Have a lovely week, xx