Monday, May 23, 2011


My Grandfather and I , taken a lifetime ago in the 70's when I hadn't yet reached double digits. The sweetest Papa, one of 14 children, and father of 5. He shared household chores when it wasn't the norm, hung out washing, vacuumed, and always washed the dishes after every meal. He was a builder, and when he retired taught others. I know how to hit a nail home and use a table saw, while keeping my fingers attached to my hand, because of him. There were boxing trophies from his youth which never quite made sense to me as he was a gentle man, a Gentleman.

Tom, Thomas, Papa call him what you will. Scar on his back from being run down by a horse when he was a boy. Bald head with wispy white hair on top he insisted would grow back if his head was massaged. Why am I thinking about you now?

Today my mother-in-laws neighbour gave me some wood offcuts for the fire. He said "corker". Corker is a term Papa used and I hadn't heard it in over 20 years. Benzine is another but I doubt I'll ever hear that used again. Isn't it funny how a single word can bring back a flood of memories?

According to Merriam-Webster the definition of corker is one who is excellent or remarkable. Papa you were a corker! This is a word that deserves to be used more often.

Wishing you an excellent and remarkable week

xx


Saturday, May 14, 2011

After much anticipation on my part the second of my photo prints has arrived home. It's fantabulous.


Thank you again Becky for the gift of your wonderful creations. The little doll in this image reminds me so of ones that my Nana used to crochet dresses for when I was little. Even with painful arthritic joints she would create the most intricate, delicate garments for those tiny toys, and I'd play with them for hours in the dolls house my Papa had made as they were just the right size. Barbies were far too big. I still have the dolls house, sitting in storage, and the time has come for it to be brought out and restored, before my girls get too big to want to play with it. 

  
This is the current bedside read. I've had been experiencing insomnia over the last month, sleepless torture, and this has cured me. The act of reading before sleeping is a wonderful antidote to stress. Actually purchased for the man but apart from a brief flick through he's never read it. I should have known as the paper (or app on ipad now), golfing magazines and manuals that come with his much loved gadgets are his preferred reads. It's a great book and gives insights into how certain images came about. Some of them are such iconic images that transport me back to the days before gadgets, and seven days a week shopping. My next read is going to have to be something I don't have to concentrate so much on; any suggestions for a good novel?


And lastly introducing a small friend that is about to embark on a very big journey. I wish I could take photos like Becky and Marti.

Have a great weekend

xx