Whimsy on a Wednesday Bringing You Mushrooms, & deep throat DIY 

Blue Monday is Out, Mushroom Mania is In

Monday just gone was “Blue Monday,” the most depressing day of the year. But never fear! I’m here with whimsical wonder on a Wednesday to turn those frowns upside down (or at least into confused smirks).

Now, in my endless pursuit of happiness and pointless information, I heard on the news that mushrooms—not the magic kind (though I imagine those would help too)—but the regular, buy-them-in-Sainsbury’s, throw-them-in-a-stew variety, can actually lift your mood. Who knew? You can read more here.  But I did find out about it on the telly whilst eating my breakfast so it must be true. 

Speaking of Breakfasts…

I ventured into the city for a little morning delight at a place called Bear. Naturally, I assumed it was named after the show The Bear, which is why I went. Thankfully, the kitchen was not in the midst of a catastrophic breakdown and no one was dramatically screaming about risotto.

Instead, I got this delightful little brioche sandwich. Feast your eyes on this beauty:

The Battle of the GP Appointment

As lovely as that brioche was, swallowing it felt like a medieval torture experiment. I’ve had a sore throat for three and a half weeks, which even in my world of mild medical neglect seems excessive. So, I joined the UK’s most brutal daily competition:

The 8 AM GP Phone Lottery.

At precisely 7:59 AM, I hovered over my phone, poised like a coiled cat. The second the clock hit 8:00 AM, I hit that call button.

“You are 29th in the queue.”

TWENTY-NINTH?! How?! Who are these ninjas? Do they have a special connection to the doctor’s office?

Needless to say, I did not get an appointment. But in the next level of DIY doctoring, I was asked to send in a photo of my throat.

Have you ever tried to take a picture of the inside of your own throat? I do not recommend it.

• The flash? Too bright.
• No flash? Just a black hole of mystery.
• Out of focus.
• “Tilt your head back more… No, more… Nope, still not working…”
• Cue existential crisis.

Eventually, the doctor called back. “It doesn’t look bacterial so antibiotics won’t help, but I can see some soreness.”

Oh, good.

“Book in for a blood test,” he said.

Earliest appointment? A week on Monday.

Great. Maybe by then, my throat will have just given up entirely and I can become a full-time mime.

The Art Room Transformation

Thankfully, I have my new art room to distract me from my impending doom. My garage has slowly morphed into a creative haven. It’s not quite finished, but here’s a sneak peek at the progress so far.

Welcome to my art sanctuary, where creativity happens… and paint water is mistaken for tea.

A perfectly organised art space… until I start painting.

Yes, that is a friend of mine. 

This is where the magic happens. And by magic, I mean controlled chaos.

Every artist needs a cluttered desk. 

Some call it a mess. I call it an abstract masterpiece in progress.

The Million-Dollar Question

Meanwhile, here’s a picture of some art making millions by selling scribbles.

Please, dear readers, tell me why I am not a millionaire.

Splash Into Watercolours!

On a slightly more productive note, I’m running a course on my other art blog called Splash Into Watercolours, starting February 1st. If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at messy, expressive art, now’s your chance!

And Finally…

Here’s a meme of an ostrich face planting a plank of wood, because honestly, that’s the level of logic I’m functioning at right now.

Until next Wednesday, stay whimsically wired.