Tuesday

19 December 2017

— No snow left, but I have my fingers crossed for Sunday night.

Good Morning All, 

Recently from the mailbox:

1. Concerning yesterday’s Day Book: This better be good. It’s my birthday. F. (Happy yesterday’s birthday, Fred! As it happens, I thought yesterday’s Day Book and natter better than average, anyway. That elegant poem from Langston Hughes, the opening of my favorite Saki story, Saki being one of my favorite short story writers. Even C. R. Magwaza’s Mrs. Ladd poem seemed slightly better than his usual fare, despite no responding readers thus far appreciating that it actually encapsulates the true and deepest meaning of life.)

2. From my friend Jacky Carroll:  I can verify what is mentioned in the last paragraph. I was ahead of Ron on the dark steps leading from the cellar to our first floor.  I saw nothing, but Ron instantly told me. My family had moved into that house in 1958. My guess is the incident occurred in 1959 or 1960.

And yes, all school aged children in Arlington hoped for  that magical moment when those in charge yielded to nature and gave us a day to frolic in the fresh winter wonderland.

3. Under the heading: When Insults had class:

— I didn’t attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it. — Mark Twain

— He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire. — Winston Churchill.

— Benjamin Disraeli, told by a member of Parliament he would either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease, replied, “That depends, Sir, whether I embrace your policies or you mistress.”

— Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I’ll waste no time reading it. — Moses Hadas.

— He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends. — Oscar Wilde.

— I’ve had a perfectly wonderful evening. But I’m afraid this wasn’t it. — Groucho Marx.

4. My initial response to your critic is Mel Brooks’s defense of his making fun of Nazis in his films, “Until you can make fun of something it still has power over you.” But then I remember Brooks often says, “Hey nonny nonny,” so he has read this Shakespeare poem, too.

5. Signs that make you smile:

— In the front yard of a funeral home: Drive carefully. We’ll wait.

— At a Propane Filling Station: Thank heaven for little grills.

— In a Veterinarian’s waiting room: Back in 5 minutes. Sit!

6. Loved the key story! So familiar. And the photo of the little flower girl is so sweet!

This after, Esther and I will being going out to get a Yule Tree.  (Jul Træ.) She knows of a tree farm in this area where they hand you a saw and tell you to go find the one that fits your home. Happily, the new rack on top of my Colt will accommodate it nicely. I’ll keep it out on the patio ’til the kids get here on the 23rd, at which time we shall decide where in the living-room to put it up for our first Christmas in our new home.

Go Well and Stay Well,

Bhekaron

P.S. One Holly snap and one Bheka snap: