“My tastes are simple: I am easily satisfied with the best.”
What a great quote! How does one live up to that? One man could and did. Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill. Ignored and mostly forgotten by his parents as a youth, he grew up feeling unwanted and unloved. A poor student who was often rebellious, Churchill was beaten for being a failure at academics. He also suffered from a speech impediment and for his entire life suffered from depression he called the “Black Dog”. Transferred from one school to another, he finally found his calling at Harrow School in 1888 where his military career began. And, as the story is told, the outcome we know. Churchill became a solider, author, British politician, Prime Minister, orator, painter, and statesman. He was known for inspiring rhetoric and leading the British people with his inspirational speeches during W.W. II.
Lady Astor to Winston Churchill: “Sir, if you were my husband, I would poison your drink.”
His reply: “Madam, if you were my wife, I would drink it.”
Later in his life Churchill’s daily “work routine” became almost as famous as his speeches, quotes, and political fame. Despite all this activity Churchill’s daily routine changed little during these years. He awoke about 7:30 a.m. and remained in bed for a substantial breakfast and reading of mail and all the national newspapers. For the next couple of hours, still in bed, he worked, dictating to his secretaries.
“A lady came up to me one day and said ‘Sir! You are drunk’, to which I replied ‘I am drunk today madam, and tomorrow I shall be sober but you will still be ugly.’”
At 11:00 a.m., he arose, bathed, and perhaps took a walk around the garden, and took a weak whisky and soda to his study.
“He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.”
At 1:00 p.m. he joined guests and family for a three-course lunch. His wife Clementine drank claret, and Winston champagne, preferably Pol Roger served at a specific temperature, port brandy and cigars. When lunch ended, about 3:30 p.m. he returned to his study to work, or supervised work on his estate, or played cards or backgammon with Clementine.