"We live in a magical fairyland...

and it is given to us to enjoy as an absolute gift...We have more blessings than we could ever count."
~ Alfred Wainwright (1907 - 1991) British fellwalker, guidebook writer and illustrator.

Top Secret Bluegrass Band ~

Jerry Taylor, Jackie, Steve, Morgan & Andrew Caswell

Appearing at the Back 40 Bar & Grill last Saturday evening, a top-notch bluegrass band ~ forth generation of a musical family.

Eileen Singing "The Carpenter"

The Caswell Family performance brings back memories of when the well-known Taylor Family played bluegrass.  Today daughter, Jackie, and her husband Steve have become a popular band with two CDs to their credit.
For band history, including the origin of their name, visit their website www.topsecretbluegrassband.com

John Passfield

www.johnpassfield.ca

John began publishing stories of St. Thomas, Ontario, the city where he grew up.  Today he has a long list of titles, many of which appeal to a world-wide audience.  Out of the Park:  The Cogitations of Babe Ruth; Inside the Wright Brothers, Flight is Possible; Water Lane, The Pilgrimage of Christopher Marlowe ~ to name a few.

John quickly moved into e-books after publishing in hardcover and paperback.  He has a unique approach to delivering his knowledge of writing and literature.  For each novel that he writes, he also publishes a companion volume titled "The Making of...."  For example, the book following his book about the Wright Brothers is titled The Making of Inside the Wright Brothers:  In Search of Form and Meaning VII. These are books that indeed are useful to writers and students of literature.  And yes, John is a retired secondary-school teacher who taught English and Drama who continues to teach.

John will be in The Neat L'l Bookshop Thursday, April 18, 1:00 p.m.  The topic:  Ballads.  Everyone welcome.

Thought for Today ~

The village of Cayuga has a lively group of seniors who meet in what was once the LCBO.  These folks have created a bright, welcoming center for all ages.  They play bingo, cards, socialize and often take off on bus trips.  This week they invited the new naturopath in town to talk about health and lifestyle.

When I came across this "notice that hangs in a city hospital" in England*, I had to share.

   I'm fine.  There's nothing the matter with me;  I'm just as healthy as can be.
   I have arthritis in both my knees, and when I talk I talk with a wheeze.  My pulse is weak and my blood is thin, but I'm awfully well for the state I'm in.
   Arch supports I have on my feet ~ or I would not be able to go on the street.  Sleep is denied me night after night, and every morning I'm a sight.  My memory's failing, my head's in a spin. I'm practically living on aspirin ~ but I'm awfully well for the state I'm in.
   The moral is, as this tale I unfold, for you and me who are getting old ~ it's better to say, "I'm fine" with a grin, than let them know the state we are in.

* The Friendship Book of Francis Gay, D.C.Thompson & Co., Ltd., John Leng & Co., Ltd., 1965

(Someone once said, "Old is always fifteen years older than I am!")

Appearing Saturday Night ~

At The Back 40 Bar & Restaurant, The Caswells' Top Secret Bluegrass Band.

April 13, 8:00 p.m.

Cayuga Street

 Downtown Cayuga

Jackie and Steve, sons, Morgan and Andrew express a "Special thanks to The Taylor Family" for being their inspiration in bluegrass.  For more information about the band, visit www.topsecretbluegrassband.com

 

Smile For Today ~

Who more perfect than Walt Disney to write the forward to Kids Say the Darndest things?*
"Why are the thoughts of children so delightful to us grown-ups?  I think it's because of the vast gulf between their world and ours.  Where we adults see the tired old commonplace of everyday life, these "babes" see a freshness, a wonderland waiting to be explored.  They are wiser than we, in a way...because we have forgotten the magic of things, the wonder all around us."

Kids in answer to, "Did your mother tell you anything before coming on the show?
"My mother told me not to act normal."

"My mother told me to pay no attention to all the crazy things my Dad told me."
"My mother told me to keep my legs together." (Five year old girl.)

"My Dad told me just one thing:  To keep my pants up."  (Five year old boy.)

"My mother told me not to say that the last thing she said was to go to the toilet before I went on the program."

"Nobody told me anything.  My Dad was late for work and gulping down his breakfast.  My mother was washing her hair.  Grandmother had a stomach-ache.  Everybody was too busy to tell me anything."

~ * Art Linkletter, Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1957.
(Photo:  family files lbw)

Kids say the Darndest Things! ~ Art Linkletter

'I can write!  I can write!"
In surprise and disbelief, his mother said:
"What did you write?"

"I don't know," he shrugged, "I can't read!"

Teachers and parents alike watch and listen in fear and trembling when I ask the innocently loaded question:  "Do you have any instructions from anyone today?"

"My teacher told me not to be funny.  That's what you get paid for."

"My teacher told me that if you asked me to tell you about her, to not say she's very old because she heard a little boy on your program who said:  'What an old teacher!'"

"This prompted me to ask him:  "How old would you say your teacher is?"  "Oh, about ninety!"

~ Kids Say The Darndest Things!  Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1957.  Art Linkletter (July 17, 1912 - May 26, 2010)  Canadian-born T.V. and radio personality.
(Photo:  Family files lbw)

Tomorrow:  Instructions from parents to kids before they appear on KIDS SAY THE DARNEST THINGS.