I was out walking early this morning, catching the cool, and met a lovely baby being carried by her grandfather. I spoke to her and she studied my face complete with sunglasses. Then she turned and looked up at the sky.
This was a smart baby -- she'd seen the clouds reflected in my glasses and realized it was the sky! Her grandfather was talking to her in Chinese encouraging her to say hi, I think. She gave me a tiny baby wave. Awwwww.
Then I did some really undemanding braiding while I watched Atomic shrimp hiking down a Cornish cliff with wife Jenny and dog Eva.
We had thunderstorms last night with downpours, and today the earth's scarcely damp, so it must have been thirsty. No need to water my seedlings today. There's a lot of small foliage down but I didn't see any trees down.
And here's the daylilies budding up ready for their midJune flowering.
Gary's magnolia is in bloom, no scent though
On Cs suggestion I've borrowed Mona's Eyes, a kind of novelish art history book. I've hardly started yet, but the gist is a grandfather in Paris taking his young granddaughter around art museums to experience many classic artworks before she may lose her vision.
We had a similar night of rain and thunder but we did get out for a good walk today. I wore a heavier jacket that usually for the time of year, but it was warming up near the end.
ReplyDeleteIt was steaming hot today after the rain here.
DeleteYes to making up our own minds, rather than believing everything "they say" by the experts...in their own words that is. CBS is now not being watched in my home! I tested myself for COVID today because I couldn't smell anything from a gardenia this morning. Negative so far. At least I can still taste things. I've never had COVID that I know of.
ReplyDeleteGood idea to check just in case. You can have a loss of smell from other viruses, and some medications.
DeleteI don't have a TV so I already don't watch anything on it
I'm always interested in what exactly infants know, so appreciate your story about the baby and the clouds.
ReplyDeleteI think they notice a lot more than we realize. I have a story about my son I'll blog.
DeleteI used to hear that saying constantly when I was young. It so much now. That plain white paper has ruined it all.
ReplyDeleteWhen the rains finally came our ground did the same. It’s only now they’re a tad wet. We have been warned of having drought conditions in the coming summer.
Thank goodness we have our giant water tank and I’ll still be able to grow food
I never listen to reviews by the “ experts” anymore. Obviously their tastes and mine at total opposite. I read and make my own mind up
Yes, most reporting isn't on paper either, but I still like the fish and chip reminder.
DeleteSometimes there's a squabble going on in the small world of print media as we get to see the results!
Smart baby! We have a huge magnolia in the grounds here and I have never had even a whiff of any scent from it. I guess we both have unscented varieties.
ReplyDeleteYes, I suppose there are a few kinds even of the ones that look alike.
DeleteFilms and books often seem to attract reviews that suggest the reviewer is trying to make a headline rather than a meaningful review. I've been to some very hyped movies that were totally trashy and like you prefer my own take on books.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes wonder if the reviewer wishes they could be the writer. Thanks for checking in, I know things are a bit fraught for you at the moment.
DeleteThere are magnolias without scent?!
ReplyDeleteOh my Lord but that's just so wrong.
I loved your story about the encounter with the smart baby. I love the wonder in which babies daily study their surroundings and then figure out what they are seeing, hearing, tasting, storing all this information away in those incredible brains of theirs.
Let us know what YOU think of Mona's Eyes.
I have a smart baby story for you, I'll post about it. I'll tell you what I think in my own words!
DeleteHeavy downpours here, but we need them.
ReplyDeleteI like being spared watering. So rain is usually welcome.
DeleteI would so enjoy an encounter with a baby. Let us know what you think of the book.
ReplyDeleteSeeing babies and other kids is one reason I like my neighborhood. Yes, I'll say what I think in my own words.
DeleteI haven't heard of that book, but now I'll check out The Guardian's review because I'm curious! Don't worry, I won't take it as gospel. :)
ReplyDeleteMore of a printed temper tantrum!
DeleteWe've been getting more rain too and my plants and lawn are so happy about that!
ReplyDeleteMy middle son's children speak Chinese, too, as my DiL is from China and her mother lives with them and knows only a little English.
There's a Chinese community in our little town. Typically the grandparents know little English and the next two generations are bilingual.
DeleteI have Mona's Eyes on a list of books members of the book group recommended at the last gathering. I'm currently reading The Correspondent and I can't see all the fuss made over this one.
ReplyDeleteI'm in an endless waiting list for The Correspondent. I hope it's going to be worth the wait.
DeleteSeeing those magnolias reminded me of seeing them in our former VA homestead as several neighbors had large trees. I have found that reading a book and then deciding for yourself is the best test of whether it was a good read, regardless of a reviewer's opinion.
ReplyDeleteWe have magnolia soulangeana more often than this variety, in fact I planted one long ago, lifetime ambition. That one has no scent either.
DeletePretty magnolia.
ReplyDeleteI had an opportunity for baby chatting yesterday when a grandmother let me go in front of her in the queue (she had lots, I had three).
Always seize the chance to chat with a baby, good policy.
DeleteMona's Eyes is on my list of possibilities so I'll be interested in reading your review.
ReplyDeleteStay tuned.
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