We met face to face, but never eye to eye

[venta]

Some time ago, I reached the age where I realised I didn't know my age. If asked (which, let's face it, doesn't happen all that often) I'm forced to remember what year it is, subtract my birth year, and work out whether I've had a birthday or not recently in order to answer.

It seems such a far cry from the days when anyone was able, and even eager, to give their age; when the half-years and the quarter-years were jealously accrued. Six and three-quarters was babyish, but seven? Seven meant being allowed to walk to Pierremont Road shop by yourself[*].

When I was small, I'd be given my apples cored and cut up, sliced into pieces on a plate. And one day, presumably before I went to school, though I don't know exactly when, I was deemed to have the years, dexterity and teeth necessary to be given my apple whole. To just, like, bite into willy-nilly. I remember distinctly that this was a very grown up thing to do, and quite an achievement.

Accordingly, it's taken me over thirty years to admit that actually, I quite like my apples cored and cut up into pieces. And, if I'm dead honest, and if location, situation and cutlery allow, I would rather have them that way. I've been secretly slicing my apples up for some time. Today I boldly borrowed a knife from a colleague and chopped my lunchtime apple up at my desk. I reckon I'm big enough to eat my food like a baby if I choose.

Apples are much nicer like that, you know :)

[*] Actually, I have absolutely no idea at what age I was allowed to walk to Pierremont Road shop by myself, although I remember it was an exciting milestone. The shop isn't even there any more, bought up by a rival shop-owner and converted to a private house years ago.

Comments

[feanelwa.livejournal.com]

I think I always ate apples whole but actually only ate about a third before I got bored and/or full. Then I discovered that actually there were other apples than the big red heart shaped ones whose skin tastes like shoes, and stopped getting bored. We had eating apples from the garden but we always made them into pie.

[venta.livejournal.com]

Ugh, yes. Shiny red apples are very pretty but invariably horrible. Golden Delicious are also a snare and a delusion, and should be done under the Trades Descriptions Act on two points.

Given that apples is one of the foods that the UK does really, really well I have no idea why these dreadful fruits are foisted on us :(

[feanelwa.livejournal.com]

I would totally support that claim against Golden Delicious.

[valkyriekaren.livejournal.com]

Mackintosh Reds? They're an American apple, grown much more for appearance and shelf life than flavour. I always thought they tasted of earwax.

[feanelwa.livejournal.com]

I had a look and it's Red Delicious. Or rather it isn't, it's just called that. It should be Red Shoeleather.

[feanelwa.livejournal.com]

My favourite at the moment is Pink Lady. They are so juicy they are almost like a solid drink.