Saturday, 1 April 2017

A = Apothecary, Alchemist and also...

Wall of glassware, Medicine Man gallery, Wellcome Collection
My iPhone photo edited in Snapseed.
Don't you just love it when a little bit of research throws up information that justifies your very existence?

 Well, that could be over-stating it a tad, but I couldn't resist a small snort of delight when I discovered that apothecaries — the forerunners of pharmacists and GPs — originally dealt in wine, herbs and spices. 
Of course they did.
A decent wine and a tasty meal is always good for what ails me.
Image credit : Wellcome Library, London

Mind you, I have my doubts about both the gourmand qualities and the provenance of the Ocul Cancr (crab eyes) and Sang Draco (dragon blood) that these jars once contained.
I reckon I'd need a hearty Merlot to go with either of those.




Cropped iPhone pic of oil painting
The American novelist Anne Tyler makes the ordinary extraordinary. One particular character of hers, Macon Leary's slightly eccentric sister, Rose, has stuck with me for decades — since I first read The Accidental Tourist. To help us understand what sort of person she is, Tyler reveals that Rose alphabetises her pantry. That detail has never left me. So extreme. Almost hyperbole. A perfect trait to give a control freak.

 Imagine my shock when I discovered that Rose actually walks among us, looking for all the world like a normal human being. Alphabetical pantries and fridges with perfectly aligned foodstuffs. 
People really have those. 
Image credit: Wellcome Library, London




 These last images suggest that perhaps it's a rare genetic condition that began with apothecaries.

 Apothecaries
Alchemists
Alphabetising
and
Anal-retentives!



During the month of April, I am participating in the Blogging from A–Z Challenge.

My posts will all feature images of and by the Wellcome Collection, Euston, London: the free destination for the incurably curious.
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Labels: , , ,
Location: London, UK

24 comments:

  1. ozzypip1 April 2017 at 10:05

    Love the images... both posted and the ones you evoked in my mind! I hearby confess that I try to alphabetise my spice rack... but only so as to be able to find the ones I want. And now that my wonderful DH (known as Fixit Guy on my blog) has retired and does most of the cooking they are in a fair bit of disarray but I DON'T care (35 years of doing most of the cooking I am more than willing to hand it over) My A blog is at http://ozzypipquilts.blogspot.com.au/2017/04/a-is-for-abstraction.html if you want to check it out (warning its all about quilting)

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    1. Wendy of the Rock1 April 2017 at 18:26

      Spices I will forgive, but the whole pantry !?!

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  2. DA Cairns1 April 2017 at 12:37

    It makes sense for an apothecary, or a chemist these days, to alphabetize their stock, but yes, it's a little extreme for a regular joe to do likewise. I like things in their right place, because it makes it easier to find them, but alphabetizinig is over the top. btw, I detest that expression related to a certain bit of the anatomy, but I agree that alcohol in moderation has health benefits.

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    1. Wendy of the Rock1 April 2017 at 18:30

      Welcome. I try to keep things in their places but mostly I fail in my attempts. I start out well, then it all goes south.

      Delete
  3. Unknown1 April 2017 at 12:53

    One of my dreams is to one day own enough Tupperware, and have a big enough pantry, to be able to alphabetise my dry goods. I'm just a little OCD! :)

    Ros at Fangirl Stitches

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    1. Wendy of the Rock1 April 2017 at 18:32


      Lol I should introduce you to my sister-in-law ( a Tupperware lady). I swear she even has a burp-seal on their front door.

      Delete
  4. Vidya Sury1 April 2017 at 18:12

    I should read that book, Wendy. Rose would hate me, I am sure of it. But I do love the idea of apothecaries. And I must agree that tasty food almost always heals! Hugs and looking forward to what you have in store for B!

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    1. Wendy of the Rock2 April 2017 at 19:32

      yes, Vidya. I recommend you read any Anne Tyler you can get your hands on.... or maybe I should say eyeballs on, coz you may be Kindle kind of reader. I read both ways, but still prefer the actual page turner. AND I would hazard a guess that your kind of good meal smells like heaven on a plate. Excuse my ignorance, I think I recall you're vegetarian... so hope you wont mind if I add the occasional lamb saag ( my fave) to the mix.

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    2. Vidya Sury8 April 2017 at 14:26

      Oh, I am vegetarian, but you are most welcome to add anything you'd like to enjoy! Yes I am a Kindle reader, not that I have one, but I use the app on my laptop. I love that I can Zoooooooooooooooom the font.

      Delete
  5. C.D. Gallant-King1 April 2017 at 22:37

    Apothecaries selling wine reminds me of barbers doubling as surgeons. You had to diversify, even back in the day.

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  6. Anonymous2 April 2017 at 04:04

    Love the photos. Ann Tyler is one of my favorite authors. I'm using her Ladder Of Years as my next Book Club pick. Her characters are universal. Would I ever alphabetize my pantry. No Way.

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  7. Breathing Life2 April 2017 at 04:32

    Love this post and this idea for A to Z. I do alphabetize my spices, but just as quickly my husband unalphabetizes them....it is an on-going thing in our house. I still love him, but really, how hard is it to put the spice jar back in the slot you took it from!

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    1. Wendy of the Rock2 April 2017 at 19:36

      Thank you, my talented friend. I think spice rack disarray is small price to pay for having a husband who cooks. So I forgive him on your behalf. I'm glad you like the theme. I think weird and me are a pretty good match.

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  8. Unknown2 April 2017 at 04:43

    What a fabulous post! I didn't realise you were taking part in the challenge this year. You have got off to a flying start with this Wendy! Trust you to be able to justify wine and fine food! xx

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    1. Wendy of the Rock2 April 2017 at 19:39

      Natch, Jude. Start with the important things, right? I needed the challenge to get me into the habit of writing every day again. I don't have your groove.... or discipline. So i hope it is a successful strategy. And one day I'm coming for a pint at your local. So be prepared for a big laugh ( and some carbs to go with that.)

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    2. Unknown9 April 2017 at 00:29

      Well as I am a bit behind with my blogging and reading, we are now a few days in on this challenge and I am enjoying it very much. I remember how funny you were in the first one we did, and you haven;t lost your touch. You are not only enlightening me, but entertaining me too, which can't be bad!
      Yes we will have to go for a pint and a pie sometime soon Wendy. I would love to meet you 'in the flesh.'! :-)

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  9. Wendy2 April 2017 at 08:50

    Yep wine and good food. What more do you need? Great first post. Look forward to reading more.

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    1. Wendy of the Rock2 April 2017 at 19:40

      Thanks, Wendy. See you on the Internet for a bit while you travel, then let's meet up in the flesh.

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  10. Debbie D. 2 April 2017 at 14:02

    I'm another fan of good food and wine, but you can keep the crab eyes and dragon blood. I like to alphabetize things, but a whole pantry would definitely be extreme. Love the photos!
    Debbie @ THE DOGLADY'S DEN
    Latest post: Azzurro: Going AWOL in Switzerland

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    1. Wendy of the Rock2 April 2017 at 19:42

      Welcome to the weird world of Wellcome, Debbie D.
      Doglovers and foodies are always worthy of my trust. I have taken care with choosing pics, so I hope they don't disappoint.

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  11. Danielle L Zecher3 April 2017 at 04:38

    Good food and wine definitely help with most ailments!

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  12. Wendy of the Rock3 April 2017 at 07:13

    Hi Danielle. Thanks for dropping by. I'm glad there are a few other hedonists in the Challenge. Have a great month.

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  13. Barbara In Caneyhead9 May 2017 at 08:35

    I had a co-worker once who kept her cabinets and refrigerator in alphabetical order! Here in the U S when oil was first discovered in pools that bubbled up it was used first as medicine.

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  14. Wendy of the Rock9 May 2017 at 19:25

    My neighbour is an alphabetical person... and has passed the gene to both of her children.
    Noooo... swallow it medicine? Or ointment type medicine?

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