Free time

Neville Hunt over 4 years ago

That’s it! Sorry... 🤭

Neville Hunt over 4 years ago

The way to a man’s heart may be through his stomach, but to that of a woman? Who nose?

Neville Hunt over 4 years ago

Thanks Drew. Sorry for the corny ending. Had you worked out what he was cooking along the way? As I said at the start, it was a response to an online creative writing exercise which, due to poor time management on my part, I had to complete in a few hours. I was finishing the last paragraph of the original non-drabblified version at 8pm yesterday. Thank goodness the writer’s group meeting was delayed until 8.10 because I was able to print it out too. I think when you don’t have time to overthink your work you sometimes produce better stuff.

Neville Hunt over 4 years ago

Yes I do! The edge is cool. I shouldn’t admit this, but I have many times had to wing it in lectures and more often than not they are my best performances... not for the content but for the delivery. I once arrived 10 minutes early (or so I thought) for an MBA class I was taking. The room was full of angry students. The start time had been 20 minutes earlier. I panicked, forgot everything I was going to do and in an instant considered flight or fight. I stayed, took a breath and shot from the hip. They so loved it that they asked me to run on through what would have been their half-hour break. It so could have gone the other way!

Frenchie over 4 years ago

Boeuf Bourguignon. A traditional French dish, oh so tasty! If well done, the meat melts in your mouth. I recognised it from all the ingredients and by the time it will take to cook. Am I right?
Aggghhh! I am rather envious ( in a good way, lol) of your writing skills! Flawlessly executed, it kept me riveted to my screen. One can just close one’s eyes and actually see all the action, actually smell the aroma of cooking.
By the way, unrelated to cooking but “you have a lovely, lovely profile picture” she says, trying her best not to appear fishing for more info...

Neville Hunt over 4 years ago

Close, Frenchie. Actually it’s an oven baked ragu (the best kind imho)... hence the last line. I tried at a subtle level to have him create something basic like spaghetti bolognese and not an haute cuisine masterpiece. I lied when I said he wasn’t showing off... of course he was... that’s what blokes do don’t they!

Thanks for your lovely comments. When I started the exercise, which was quite prescriptive, I didn’t think I could do it... and stopped part way through, not believing I could do what was required, but decided to persevere, so your words are most encouraging....

Neville Hunt over 4 years ago

...regarding the profile pic, it’s my daughter who got married to the man next to her five weeks ago yesterday. It was a wonderful wedding which I’ve started... and plan to finish... to commit the event to drabbles. Such a happy day, particularly as they’ve been together for 12 years, have a four year old page boy (🙂) and a sister in production.

Frenchie over 4 years ago

I wish them the best!!! Your daughter is beautiful :-) 😊

Neville Hunt over 4 years ago

Thank you Frenchie; she is... without and within.

Ginette Kiff over 4 years ago

I really love this, Neville. My favourite phrase is 'onion tears' - so simple but so effective! I think we're going to be thanking John Fox for his ideas!

Neville Hunt over 4 years ago

Thanks very much Ginette. That means such a lot to me. Thanks for reading it. I’m struggling with more John Foxercises; they really challenge, but I think it will feel good to have completed each task, improved as a result.

Christopher over 4 years ago

A tasty read, Neville. Very sensual.

Neville Hunt over 4 years ago

Thanks Christopher.

VerityAlways over 2 years ago

Please tell me if this a Bolognese!
The series is very good. Julie and Julia will appreciate!!

Neville Hunt over 2 years ago

Yes, this is Bolognese sauce Verity... but the Italians (and I had thought the Americans too) call it Ragu. Well done... you got it much earlier on. I don’t think anyone else did. I’ll try to find and share the exact writing prompt I was working to. It was, I think, meant to have sexual overtones.

Neville Hunt over 2 years ago

...and thanks for taking the trouble to read it, Verity.

VerityAlways over 2 years ago

Yeah it is Ragu, but my tongue is stuck at Bolognese!!

VerityAlways over 2 years ago

It just loved the idea to decode the recipe!! I enjoy reading, Neville!
Okay, now I'm hungry;))

Neville Hunt over 2 years ago

Hehe!

Neville Hunt over 2 years ago

I have found the writing prompt I worked to, Verity. I found it by searching ‘thejohnfox writing exercises’. This is one of his senses challenges, as follows.
‘Have a man cooking for a woman on a third date, and have her describe the aromas in such loving and extended detail that she realises that she’s in love with him.’

VerityAlways over 2 years ago

Thanks, will check this johnfox! You nailed the challenge Neville!! And thankful except for the alliums my sinuses are great.

VerityAlways over 2 years ago

Out of canvas, this reminds me of Heston's sensory food challenge. I think one renowned dish is the Sound of Sea.

Neville Hunt over 2 years ago

Thanks for your very kind words... I’ll definitely check out Heston’s Sound of Sea.

VerityAlways over 2 years ago

I checked his site. The prompts are really good.

Neville Hunt over 2 years ago

His prompts really are good, and tough taskmasters too!

VerityAlways over 2 years ago

Yes, they are!