Monday
The week commenced with the sad announcement of Penelope Keith’s passing on Monday, prompting nostalgic reflections among those over 40 who remember her remarkable career. Her performances in memorable sitcoms from the late ’70s, particularly in The Good Life, have remained firmly entrenched in cultural memory, akin to classics such as Fawlty Towers and Dad’s Army.
While Tom and Barbara served as the show’s central figures, it was Keith’s portrayal of Margo Leadbetter that captured hearts. Viewers adored Margo’s unique style and naivety, often depicted in humorous situations as her husband Jerry appeared exasperated. Margo epitomized her era, much like the women in contemporary shows such as Motherland, embodying a blend of sophistication and bewilderment.
My research revealed fascinating details about Keith; she was trained at the Royal Shakespeare Company and played Beatrice alongside Michael York in a 1978 adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing. Interestingly, many of Margo’s outfits in The Good Life came from Harrods, showcasing the fashion of the time. Her subsequent sitcom, To the Manor Born, may not have left as lasting an impression, yet it mirrored the charm of Schitt’s Creek in a Somerset setting.
Keith exuded a warmth and gentleness, perfectly captured by her Good Life co-star Paul Eddington in his last television interview. When asked what he would want inscribed on his gravestone, Eddington humbly stated, “I think I would like it to be ‘he did very little harm.’” The modesty of that sentiment, combined with the joy they both brought to audiences, makes them truly rare talents.
Tuesday
Serena Williams made her highly anticipated return to Centre Court after a four-year hiatus, facing 20-year-old Australian Maya Joint. The match concluded in a tense three-set defeat for the seven-time Wimbledon champion, with her eight-year-old daughter, Olympia, occasionally yawning in the stands. For spectators, it was a gripping reminder of the young player’s inexperience, as Joint was born after Williams first graced Wimbledon.
Despite the defeat, Williams showcased much of her former brilliance. I watched from my couch, indulging in leftover fish fingers and hash browns, pondering the remarkable feat of a 44-year-old mother of two competing at such a high level. Questions lingered for those who remember her prime: “She’s 44 and has had two kids, how is that form even possible?”
The answer lies in the extraordinary nature of athletes like her. I once attended a WTA event in a Central Park South restaurant, mingling with legends such as Ana Ivanovic and Kim Clijsters, whose presence felt like meeting a more advanced species of humanity. It was a stark contrast to my usual routine of consuming leftovers and watching matches from the comfort of my sofa.
Wednesday
The Bayeux tapestry has piqued my curiosity recently. Although the term “hey, you know how we tried and failed to get Katseye tickets for September? Well guess what after nine hours on the phone I managed to score an even bigger ticket to see a 1,000-year-old bit of cloth with this really exciting battle embroidered on it and which in the 1070s blew people’s minds more emphatically than the Apple Vision Pro.” makes me slightly uneasy, its historical significance is undeniable. Given its importance, it could be a worthwhile way to spend an afternoon.
It appears many share this sentiment; on Wednesday, 80,000 eager individuals queued online for tickets to a forthcoming exhibit at the British Museum. By Thursday morning, an additional 40,000 hopefuls attempted to join the line, only to discover that all tickets had sold out.
What drives this frenzy? Most of us learned about the Norman Conquest in school but have likely not thought about it since, except perhaps while listening to educational podcasts. This exhibit presents a rare chance to see the tapestry, which has only traveled outside Normandy twice and is insured for a staggering £800 million, highlighting the risks involved in its transportation.
Meanwhile, I imagined my children’s excitement if I could tell them, “Gastroenterologists and influencers alike are eager to explain that fibre affects health beyond ‘gut motility’, formerly known as shitting.”
Thursday
Induction day at secondary school has arrived, and parents find themselves split between anxiously hovering over their soon-to-be Year 7 children and reminiscing about their own transitions to high school, which feels like an eternity ago. The environment has undoubtedly transformed.
Throughout Thursday morning, I frequently checked my phone to track my kids as they navigated their new school, then on their bus journey home, and finally during their stops at three shops on the way, each triggering a notification on my phone whenever they used their debit cards.
This year, a ban on smartphones for incoming Year 7 students aims to encourage parents to loosen their grip and allow their children to find their way home without constant digital monitoring. However, once you’ve experienced that level of oversight, it’s challenging to let go. My kids are already conditioned to expect it, and reminding them that, at their age, I roamed freely without my mother knowing my whereabouts was one of the swiftest ways to astonish them.
Friday
Have you heard that fiber is the new protein? This is welcome news for those navigating life on GLP-1s, looking less like themselves and more like Edvard Munch’s The Scream while surviving on modest portions of fruit. An insightful article in The New Yorker this week discusses “At first, she wondered if she was overdoing it –wasn’t fruit high in sugar? – but after a few months she’d lost weight and felt better than she had in years, a transformation that also helped her realise that she wanted a divorce.” and features this amusing line: “Gastroenterologists and influencers alike are eager to explain that fiber affects health beyond ‘gut motility’, formerly known as shitting.”
This cleverly written piece delves into the benefits of dietary choices that enhance digestion, including a food entrepreneur who consumed copious amounts of blueberries during the pandemic. This led her to various realizations, including her weight loss and a newfound clarity about her desire for a divorce.
