On Hangovers

I know that none of you will be suffering a post-New Year's Eve hangover today, because all our readers are abstemious, and were required to take a solemn Vow of Abstinence before signing on. But in your circle of friends there may be some who celebrated not wisely, but too well, and you might help ease their pain by recommending to them "Floyd on Hangovers."

Floyd was Keith Floyd. a most entertaining British chef who had, it seemed, a more than passing acquaintance with hangovers. His book--"Floyd on Hangovers"--is sub-titled "An Authoritative Guide and Five-Day Detoxification Programme."

Recipes for several quick remedies are included, the simplest of which is called, for some reason, the Sydney Sunrise. Floyd writes; "Into a blender squeeze the juice from one lime and add a dessert spoonful of runny honey. Add the yolk of a free-range egg, and top up with fresh orange juice. Whirr away for a few seconds, then pour into a glass over crushed ice and sprinkle with freshly grated nutmeg. It is quite refreshing and such a happy drink.'

As Floyd makes this drink, he likes to sing this little song.

"New every morning is the love
Our wakening and uprising prove;
Through sleep and darkness safely brought,
Restored to life, and power, and thought."

Song optional.

Finally, these comforting words of Jack Wasserman, preserved forever in "Colombo's Canadian Quotations":  "It's better to have a morning after than to never have a night before."

Okay, now to make that Sydney Sunrise.