ROBERT BURNS - POETIC PLEASURES

Another year, another chance to turn to Burns's poetry on this date of his birth.  And, as is often the way of things, it's a chance for some poetic diversion.

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With the grandchildren we tried some haiku recently (their suggestion). Here is one of Ellie and Harriet's combined effort:

Snowdrops on the ground

Snowflakes are ballerinas

Icicles cling on to rooves.

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and here is mine.... relating to the photo below which I took today at Geilston Gardens, Cardross.

Tree shadows reaching

Catch the light before it goes

Next time take the tripod.

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The closing of a book, metaphorically speaking:  this lovely man died in December and his funeral was last week. Neil Bell was in his mid 90's, a 'man of worth' (as Burns would say) who lived a long and fulfilled life.

I couldn't get to the funeral but Christina sent me the link for the video which was very well done.  In the service they recited this poem by Christina Rosetti.

Let Me Go

When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom filled room
Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little, but not for long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love that once we shared
Miss me, but let me go. 

For this is a journey we all must take
And each must go alone.
It's all part of the master plan
A step on the road to home. 

When you are lonely and sick at heart
Go to the friends we know.
Laugh at all the things we used to do
Miss me, but let me go.

For all the many poems written by Burns I am not aware of any along the lines of this one.  

Ross Priory looking north on to Loch Lomond and Ben Lomond in the distance

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Cairns Roses

GRANDMA GETS READING NO. 3

This week Ellie turned 8 years old. As luck would have it she was off school on Friday, her birthday, as the teachers were on strike.

She was with me for the afternoon and, because Harriet (off as well) was invited elsewhere for this period,  it ended up being just the 2 of us.  One to one!  That's when things can happen....! Like.....

Earlier in the week I had listened to her reading the book she had in her school bag.  It turns out it was not one for/from school but one she chose herself several weeks ago when in a bookshop in Newton Stewart with Mairi and Co.  When listening to her read I recall that I stopped her to sort out 2 words: 'ostentatious' and 'stifle'. I remember stating to her "M-m-m-m... this sure is good writing!" 

For her birthday I had purchased another book 'The Roof Toppers' by the same author, Katherine Rundell, at our local Oxfam shop and gave it to her for her birthday.  She recognised the author and because it was a wet day and we had the afternoon ahead of us we decided to pay a trip to see if there were other books  at the Oxfam shop and also our local Tesco's which has a Bring One - Take One bookshelf.  We didn't see any more. However we ended up in the library where we found these two:

This one is for Ellie...

This one is for me...

Now what interests me is that this little book  is by the same author. It is called 'Why You Should Read Children's Books Even Though You Are Old and Wise'!  Well I did... and I also watched a couple of videos of this gal!  Oh my goodness! I was really impressed!  Of course she has interesting things to say but she knows how to deliver it!... i.e. clearly has oratory skills.  Ah hah... she has an academic post at Oxford with Shakespeare and John Donne interests.

Now I do read (a bit!) and this is what I am currently trying to finish.  It is long and laborious but I am determined to finish it. Is there such a thing as a book being 'overwritten'?

The good news is that Ellie has loaned me her book she got in Newton Stewart on holiday.  And, yes, it is a good read!  I need to hurry up, however, as she keeps asking me what chapter I am on.  (I love the kids' description e.g. I heard one child say to another "Are you reading chapter books yet?")

So Thank You Katherine Rundell... we are off and running once more!

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MID JANUARY

Iain is recovering well from his fall 3 weeks ago. He is now walking with sticks instead of a frame and is managing stairs up and down.  It was out for coffee this week so life is looking up once again.

Indy saw a phone on Alastair’s desk and didn’t know what it was!  Alastair told him to try it and call his cell phone. He explained that he needed to pick up the phone, wait for the dial tone then push the numbers.  He did that and asked “Okay. Now how do I press SEND?”!

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Alastair, nearly 15 years old out at the weekend on the hills.

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Mairi treated Ishbel and me to a night at the ballet, i.e. Scottish Ballet's  'The Snow Queen'.  It was wonderful!  She drove us to the theatre and collected us afterwards... such luxury!  Laura D joined us so it was a lovely girls' night out.  We had excellent seats in the stalls so had a good view of the dancers who were not just in tutus but were colourful gypsies, circus performers with their acrobatic dancing and even a fiddler who played at the gypsy campfire.

What I took notice of (thinking back to my days involved with the cleanroom industry) was the excellent ventilation.  There was fresh air coming in and while it was a cold night, there was noticeable air exchange going on in the auditorium.  (Whether that was the case up high in the gods I don't know.) So on the way out at the end of the evening I mentioned that I noticed what appeared to be 'better' ventilation.  "Yes, Madame... we are working on it."  Ah-h-h a consequence of Covid I think and certainly a win-win situation.  Having not been to any large event in an enclosed space (and certainly not been in an airplane or a cruise ship) I was impressed that this effort was being made.

The foyer where Ish and I always go up to the top floor by elevator and then walk down the circular staircase looking at all the people milling about below.

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 Swans on the Forth and Clyde Canal just under the Erskine Bridge

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I got this book from Santa for Christmas as it was recommended to me by a friend.  It's a collection of writing by Bob Dylon on musicians he considers to be culturally significant. I loved it!  And it is full of colourful writing; Dylan is a poet first, certainly a 'wordsmith' and a singer second I would say.  Lots of chat about little known musicians and some more well known ones... names I grew up with e.g. they were always on the radio.

Here is an example:  "Perry Como - he was a Cadillac before the tail fins…."