All I have for you tonight is four images and a song. Above, a reminder to our American cousins that in Great Britain, the word "trump" is frequently used in place of "fart". For some strange reason "trump" is considered to be more polite over here and children are customarily encouraged to use "trump" when describing the release of bodily gases via the anus. The book cover above is not a satirical mock-up of an explanatory children's book. It is the real thing.
Below, I had another go with A.I. to produce a better cover for "The Lost Schoolgirl". This time I instructed that the idea of a mirror should be present in the design.
Finally, I admit that there is a notable absence of pictures of me in this humble Yorkshire blog so tonight you are getting two for the price of one. Here's me with my grandson Zachary - down in Fulham, London at the end of October. It was two days after his first birthday
And here I am in Portugal in May of this year, cuddling my youngest granddaughter, Margot. She was born just nine days after Zachary on November 2nd.
Both babies are developing nicely, starting to walk and to vocalise. Neither of them cry without reason and they are both much loved. They will be meeting up again at Christmastime for fun and frolics. What a blessing it is to have three grandchildren who are fit and healthy with, hopefully, lovely lives to live in the years ahead.
Phoebe - pictured this morning (Friday) as requested by Frau Riley
As I write, Phoebe Harriet is asleep upstairs. She loves to sleep over at Grandpa and Grandma's house. We are like putty in her hands. She will be four years old on January 15th.
Time marches on.
Finally, the song. I woke one morning this week with this Richie Havens song playing on the juke box in my head. He died in 2013 at the age of 72. I invite you to listen...
Always a joy to see pics of the babies. I Started a Joke is so pretty but it always makes me sad. I'm not sure I ever heard the Richie Havens version, he was a great talent.
ReplyDeleteHe had a very original way of playing his guitar and a very distinctive voice too.
DeleteI've only heard the BeeGees version of that song. The lyrics are so sad.
ReplyDeleteI like the photos of you and your grands. So sweet!
I think Richie Havens's version is more soulful.
DeleteThe new book cover is better though the eyes are still spooky like a horror movie. Perhaps all ghosts have eyes like that?
ReplyDeleteLovely photos of you and the babies and I'm happy to hear Phoebe loves sleepovers.
Thank you for your judgements Elsie. By the way, Phoebe will be having lunch today at Elsie's house. Elsie is her best friend at nursery school.
DeleteLove the photos and kids and grandpa!
ReplyDeleteI did not know about that other word for fart; seems apt.
Love the song.
It's true about a "trump" - I am not kidding.
DeleteOf course now you have to regal us with a current picture of Princess Phoebe! You can't just show us two of your grandchildren and think we'd leave it at that.
ReplyDeleteThe new book cover is more in tune with the story. And the spelling is *almost* correct... or you could use "Yorkshire Puddng" as your pen name, and nobody would guess that it's you behind the pseudonym!
The song is beautiful. I am more familiar with a different version but this one deserves to be played.
Your wish is my command Frau Riley. Latest picture of Phoebe now added.
DeleteFrau Riley sagt danke!
DeleteI do like to see grandchildren photos. Always so sweet and innocent.
ReplyDeleteJust like their grandpas.
DeleteLovely photos of you with the grandchildren YP. Zachary looks a very serious little boy but Margot looks such a happy, contented little girl, very much as I remember photos of Phoebe at that age.
ReplyDeleteIn real life, Zach laughed a lot when we stayed at his house in late October.
DeleteWhat a lovely girl Phoebe is too - she looks very grown up!
DeleteI have never heard the word "trump" as a synonym for fart. How appropriate. Those photos of you with two of your grandchildren puts me in a good mood! I had never heard of that version of that song. I have always liked this song.
ReplyDeleteRichie Havens was a fine troubadour.
DeleteI see I am not the only one with a mental jukebox playing in my head. I like the mirror book cover. Very clever.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how some mornings I wake up with a song in my head from long ago.
DeleteThey are lovely photos. You are blessed.
ReplyDeleteAnd we know it Elle.
DeleteTrumps by name and Trump by nature.
ReplyDeleteIn all the years I have read your blog, I think I have only seen one other photo of you.
Your joy in the grandies is jumping out of the screen
That physical being you see is just the physical vehicle I travel about in.
DeleteGorgeous grandchildren, you are well blessed! The reason I didn't Google the melon was because I don't like to cheat. As it was, I got 9 out of 10. I have now Googled said melon. Every day's school day. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI think that the Christmas melon has other names too and we had a delicious piel de sapo melon earlier this year.
DeleteIt is good to see you, and your wonderful family. My father really liked grandkids, he commented that, "if he knew how fun grandkids were, he would have had them first." I like the new cover. Build that story out, and you have another book. How does the green door tie into the rest of the story.
ReplyDeleteIt just happened to be green - there was nothing hidden about that detail.
DeleteI did not know Richie Havens cut a cover of that song! I always liked the Bee Gees version. Great photos of you and the kids! Time marches on, indeed. It's amazing to think Phoebe is four!
ReplyDeleteI saw Richie Havens at The Isle of Wight Festival in 1970. He really lifted the crowd.
DeleteI remember! I've always been jealous! I loved his performance at Woodstock, which I saw in the documentary film.
DeleteGorgeous photographs. Will Zachary remain Zachary or will his name be shortened? It's such a lovely name. Margot has the most amazing eyes and Phoebe looks so grown up by comparison. She will be a nice age when she starts school in September, neither the oldest nor the youngest in the class.
ReplyDeleteYes Phoebe will be the best age to start primary school - the same school that her parents attended.
DeleteOh, Richie Havens! I've never heard this version so thank you for that.
ReplyDeleteAnd I know exactly how you feel about those grandchildren. To love and be loved by them is something that I never knew would be so deep and true. I am sure you are a good grandpappy.
Nor me - so deep! Seeing film clips of the growth of Trumpism would be best with a Richie Havens soundtrack ad-libbing "Freedom" with piercing irony.
DeleteNice play on words in the first cartoon. You are having lots of fun with the grandkids. Too many kids miss out on grandparents these days.
ReplyDeleteWe are so lucky to have Phoebe and Margot - just nine minutes walk away.
DeleteYou will soon be able to read Trump to them, with sound effects.
ReplyDelete"After a bellyful of Brussels sprouts, a trump will sound like this: THWAAAARP!"
Delete