SPOTTED DICKS & FLICKS

Lately, I’ve been brushing up on all things British so asked a friend from Rugby to catch me up on the lingo over lunch. Towards the end, she asked, “Oh! Have you ever had a spotted dick?” That caught me off-guard. What was that? A you-know-what with spots? Some kind of fish? A polka dot dickey? Took awhile for that penny to drop but honestly? For a moment, I felt a few sandwiches short of a picnic.

“Oh, I know it means something different in the States,” she smiled.

No kidding. A statement obvious to you can often send another reeling. So, lest you think I’m a nutter, pictured above is what a spotted dick looks like on store shelves. You’ll be chuffed to know I’ve even included the recipe!

Since my readers often ask what I’m watching and reading, here goes: The series, “All Her Fault,” on Peacock stars Sarah Snook as a mother who sends her child off on a playdate during which he’s kidnapped. While this thriller is elaborately twisted, (and the ending embarrassingly satisfying), the real gem is Snook’s acting. Hit ‘pause’ on her face in any scene. She’s always spot-on.

Another new show is, “Age of Attraction,” where singles date without asking/telling their age before committing to each other. While there are some heartfelt moments, you may find, as I did, that the real ace here is the casting director who somehow managed to find both 20 and 60 somethings who actually look 40! It’s a smidge like, “Love on the Spectrum,”—but honestly, isn’t ALL love on the spectrum?

Finally, I listened to two books that were equally compelling for different reasons. “It’s Only Drowning,” by David Litt, is the real-life story of two political and polar opposite brothers-in-law, who forge a surprising friendship while surfing during COVID. This is the ONLY book I’ve ever read ever which made me laugh out loud throughout. Litt is a former speech writer for Obama.

Finally, I was gobsmacked by British writer, Alice Feeney’s, “My Husband’s Wife.” Just when you think you know where she’s going, you’re suddenly somewhere else. Her cleverly clipped style builds like a mental game of Jenga, (also invented by a Britt.) This psychological thriller will soon be a TV series. Writers this bloody brilliant make me wonder why I even pick up a pen but then how else would I connect with YOU?