2096. Hobbies

When Englebert retired he was looking forward to doing what he’d always wanted to do, and that was to learn to make bread. For forty years he had slaved away as a proctologist, and a very good proctologist he was. Now it was time to put such things aside, don the baker’s hat, and learn to make bread.

His wife was a qualified gastroenterologist, and that was how they had met. Glennis had retired two years earlier than Englebert, and had taken up pastry making. She was very good at it. In fact, Englebert blamed her pastry success as being the cause of his growing rotundity.

Englebert’s first attempt at bread was disastrously inedible. Further attempts were described by wife Glennis as being the perfect vehicle for enjoying the taste of melted butter.

These days Englebert has become an expert at growing ranunculus in pots. Englebert is thinking of branching out and growing a greater variety. Already the number of pots on the patio has become a little disturbing. And on the porch. And in the living room. What he needs is a green house.

Quite frankly, Glennis wished he’d just stuck to bread making.

31 thoughts on “2096. Hobbies

  1. Vishal D

    I had to google up what a proctologist was and I thought you were going to connect that to the bread making! I liked the story though. A person always needs distraction, even once he’s retired. So, Glennis should keep mum. She’s got her pastry making anyway! Good on Englebert for finding solace in growing ranunculus!

    Liked by 2 people

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      1. Bruce Goodman Post author

        After posting this and reading comments about people who had to look up ranunculus online, I went and ordered a dozen bulbs – all white. They were out of red ones, so I’m going to seek out some red ones today. The flowers that appear in our garden here are usually red ones and white ones. It’s just a little fad we have – red and white gladiolas, and red and white dahlias, and red and white petunias. And horrid bright yellow sunflowers that don’t fit in!

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        1. Yvonne

          That will look very nice, I do believe. Please treat us to a photo or two.

          I also like anemones, but have to remember where to put the ns and the m. Our choir sang a pretty piece about this pretty flower, and we had a few stumbles at first.

          How are you folks? You’ll soon be overrun with hordes of Aussies seeking a travel destination. Man the barriers.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. Bruce Goodman Post author

            As long as the Aussies bring all their money we shall be happy! I have never been successful with anemones – although I did have success as a little kid but I think Mother may have been secretly helping! I shall work out how to post a photo in the comments – and you shall see the blaze of red and white. Work was slowly picking up but our biggest customer pulled out last night and is giving their custom to Japan to translate!

            Liked by 1 person

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          1. craig

            Indeed. You would have thought a proctologist would know how to produce a good loaf. I’m pretty sure I don’t want to know the source of the fertilizer that is the secret to his success with ranunculus.

            Liked by 1 person

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  2. badfinger20 (Max)

    That didn’t go anywhere near where I thought. When you say proctologist…I was expecting something else…but that is a good thing.

    I had to look up ranunculus

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
          1. badfinger20 (Max)

            buttercups, spearworts and water crowfoots…. Buttercups I know…we have them everywhere here. I guess that is part of the family…I learn something from you every day it seems like…but this one I could never pronounce or spell.

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