“Not Too Sensitive A Subject”

No ironing of any consequence has been carried out since before my knee surgery. This morning we began a blitz on the backlog, finishing the task after lunch.

Some 35 years or so ago Jackie, clearly influenced by her talented and entertaining father, Don Rivett, made a little book for a very young nephew who was rather fascinated by

Recently Helen returned it to her and I scanned its front cover and pages yesterday.

This frontispiece ditty with accompanying captioned drawings is typical of the family humour.

There is a page of dedication containing the first of the photographed cut from

publications sought out by the author. The recipient may have found it easier than some to follow the ignoring suggestion;

the direction to lift opens a cut out box revealing

the knees featured on the next page.

Clearly we don’t have to ignore these.

Rhyme links some pages,

Some, linked thematically have no captions;

others inspire a little verse;

or contain random selections.

Further cut-out panels, without the need for lifting panels,

reveal further knees.

Neat little rhymes continue;

as do witty little vignettes.

Inspiration comes from a variety of sources,

not the least of which is this double page set of footballers,

and their following pages.

‘Kneels on wheels’ is particularly delightful;

perhaps not so what is revealed by the next cut-out block:

When handing over this masterpiece, Helen hoped it was not too sensitive a subject.

This evening we dined on a tender slow-roasted gammon joint; Jackie’s succulent ratatouille and piquant cauliflower cheese with creamy mashed potato. The Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden while I consumed more of the Malbec.

82 comments

  1. How wonderful! However, I was most impressed that you’ve managed not to do any ironing for a number of weeks. I’ve managed to reduce the ironing burden by buying my husband lots of things which require little ironing but I still spend hours each week doing it. Maybe your Head Gardener and Culinary Queen could pass on a few handy hints!

    1. Jackie’s own clothes re bought with no need for ironing in mind. It’s mainly my shirts. She does, however collect and use linen napkins. Many thanks, Sheree

  2. That is too funny! Jackie is so multi-talented, Derrick – how ever do you keep up with her (especially with your knees!! 🙂 )

  3. You should get someone to sew you a “knee woolly hat”. Next time it’s cold and damp, you may kneed one.

  4. I read every page of this cover collage book – wow – thanks for scanning it in. I am going to show it to someone who is having knee issues right now. And as your heals up – this book must be extra special –
    -from the strong soccer players to the female legs to children – I was reminded of the many images available in magazines and other print sources not too long ago. With all this digital world stuff – is a book linen this even more precious? I think so.

  5. What a delight this was! Thanks for sharing, Derrick.
    As for ironing–we don’t do it at all. I’m not sure where our iron is. 🙂

  6. Weeks without ironing? Bill would have a conniption. He likes things to be ironed, even those clothes that the body fills out and re-shapes perfectly well. And what a wonderful book. Glad to see that it has been returned to its maker. May you gain hours of inspiration from it 🙂

  7. HA! I love this book! Excellent, Jackie!!! Your book is THE bee’s knees, for sure, AND a beee-stseller!!! 😉 🙂 I really like the underhand-ed knees! 😀 😛
    HA! “too sensitive” a subject made me laugh! 😀
    It is such fun to make books like this for, and with, kids!
    HUGS!!! to you, Jackie, and HUGS!!! to Derrick!!! 🙂
    PS…
    Knock Knock!
    Who’s there?
    Knees.
    Knees who?
    Knees you every day! 😀

  8. This has made me Laugh Out Loud! And nearly cry. I remember this book: at Westbrook: so lovely. I didn’t realise it was still around. Treasure. Thank you. X

  9. I have perennially suspected knees of being aliens who have fused themselves in our legs and have been using us as carriers of their kind. That book stops short of the revelation by a whisker! Aren’t you happy you got yours exorcised?

  10. So wonderful !!!!!!!!!!! Give kisses to Jackie from me!!!!!

    Thank you for sharing …i will share this idea for my grandson!!!!!

    TRAVELING ON YOUR KNEES

    Last night I took a journey
    To a land across the seas.
    I didn’t go by ship or plane
    I traveled on my knees.

    I saw so many people there
    In bondage to their sin,
    And Jesus told me I should go,
    That there were souls to win.

    But I said “Jesus, I can’t go
    To lands across the seas.”
    He answered quickly, “Yes, you can
    By traveling on your knees.”

    He said, “You pray, I’ll meet the need.
    You call, and I will hear.
    It’s up to you to be concerned
    For lost souls far and near.”

    And so I did; knelt in prayer,
    Gave up some hours of ease,
    And with the Savior by my side,
    I traveled on my knees.

    As I prayed on, I saw souls saved
    And twisted persons healed,
    I saw God’s workers strength renewed
    While laboring in the field.

    I said, “Yes Lord, I’ll take the job.
    Your heart I want to please.
    I’ll heed Your call and swiftly go
    By traveling on my knees.”

    By Sandra Goodwin

    Have a great weekend!!!!

  11. I kneeded that! 😉

    What a wonderful creation, such imagination – the knee-cap and knee wooly hat were brilliant!

    Reminds me of the sort of thing my hero, Spike Milligan, would write.

    I didn’t know Kevin Kneegan had played for Man U?? (Knee 010) 😀 😀

  12. This was an absolute delight, Derrick. I’m passing it on to a friend who’s having knee surgery later this month. I suspect she’ll find it charming, too, and perhaps even cheering.

  13. Jackie’s creation is a delight! I enjoyed every page and looked at every photo. I am sure David must have enjoyed it so much. It’s great that his fascination with knees was encouraged! This book is a treasure and I’m glad it survives.

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