This was another dreary day outside so we stayed in and I read more of “Great Expectations” and scanned a further 7 of Charles Keeping’s outstanding illustrations.
‘Mrs Pocket falling into discussion with Drummle’
‘Wemmick’s House’
‘The weather was miserably raw, and the two convicts cursed the cold’
‘She held her dress in one hand, and with the other lightly touched my shoulder as we walked’
‘The prisoners were buying beer, and talking to friends’
‘Rattling up Newgate-street’
‘The six bearers shuffled and blundered along under the guidance of two keepers’
Although I have completed the probate forms and presented them to Mum’s other joint executor for signature, I realised this afternoon that we probably had the seniority in this instance the wrong way round.
Eighteen years my junior, my brother Joseph is the acknowledged best mathematician among the siblings. He has now demonstrated a superior ability to decipher probate forms and worked out what is required to prepare another set. We will deal with this next Saturday.
This evening we dined on succulent Hunter’s chicken served with crisp chips and plump garden peas. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Chianti.
Good luck with the probate forms. The Hunters Chicken sounds delicious. I make a similar dish, but stuff the chicken breasts with feta cheese and pesto.
Thanks very much, Anne
You and Joseph look just like your dad in that photo!
That is true, Liz. Thanks very much
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Strong family resemblance, Derrick. Glad you will finalize the probate thing in a week.
Thanks a lot, Maj
It’s good to have someone in the family who is good with those forms. Soon the process will be all behind you.
Indeed, JoAnna. Thanks very much
Lovely. Hope the probate goes through this time.
Thanks a lot, Pat
I’m so glad those forms soon will be completed and gone — and presumably accepted. I think focusing on that delicious dinner was exactly the right move! I just looked up Hunter’s Chicken, and have a recipe in my files now. I do believe I’ll give it a try; it sounds delicious.
Very tasty, Linda. Thanks very much, Linda
I didn’t realize there was such an age gap. You have the same expression in this photo.
It’s funny how siblings take on specific roles. Good luck with the forms!
Thank you so much, Merril
You’re welcome, Derrick.
An interesting post, Derrick. It is cold here as well. Snow came in overnight along with temps in the 20s F. I am working inside today, although it has warmed up.
Thanks very much, Dwight
That is quite an age gap. There is fourteen years between my eldest sister and I. Somehow we still have a sibling bond!
Thank you so much, AnneMarie. Elizabeth and I are 12 years apart
We delegate things like probate to my brother-in-law. Sadly, heās had rather a lot of practice.
Thanks a lot, Sheree. I’ve done it before, but not on line
I’m glad you’ll have help with the probate forms soon. And, like Linda, I went in search of the Hunter’s Chicken recipe and will be giving it a try soon.
Thank you so much, Lisa
How nice to have a brother who can help you in that way! Love those Keeping drawings!
Thank you so much, Jan
How nice to have a useful brother. My brother can’t say that.
š Thanks very much, Tootlepedal.
YAY for Joseph! And you two make a great team! Continued best wishes on everything going smoothly and forward.
The Keeping illustrations you shared today are ripe with motion, expression, and character!
(((HUGS))) š
Thank you very much, Carolyn X
I echo Liz. I can see the likeness to your father in that photo, especially around the mouth that you struggled with in your painting. And Joseph looks similar to your sons.
You are right, Gwen. Thank you very much.
Oh Derrick, your second scan today is an perfect example of Keepings illustrations of the period houses and structures that does so intricately … and they always fascinate me …
It is. Thank you very much, Ivor.
Good luck with probate. It shouldnāt be this time consuming. Hopefully it goes smoothly now.
Hopefully. Thanks very much, Gary.
Hopefully will go right this time š¬
The dinner sounds comfy and delicious š
I hope so, Ribana. Thank you very much
Love the photo of you and Joseph, Derrick. I have a good feeling about the probate issues.
I think you are right, Jill. Thanks a lot
Good luck Derrick
Dinner sounds delicious
Thanks very much, More
You’re welcome Derrick
That is a wonderful photo of you and Joseph, Derrick. It sounds like the probate issue may soon be solved with his help.
I am still enjoying the illustrations by Charles Keeping.
Thank you very much, Lavinia
Yay for Joseph!
Thanks very much, Laurie
Charles Keeping keeps my imagination fed for the era thatās under narration. We all need a Joseph to walk us through muddled waters once in a while. I hope the probate is resolved for good within the month.
It will be at least 8 weeks after the resubmission. Thanks very much, Uma
I have been trying to resolve the matter of my ancestral property for the last five years and itās not resolved yet.
That is appalling
I always marvel at how each of my children has a different skill to bring to the table.
All the best with the new forms.
I think that those pictures may be among his best work, especially page 230. My wife was told, incidentally, that because of covid and so many deaths, there was a wait of at least seven weeks before anybody looked at the Probate forms she submitted. That has proved quite optimistic!
Thanks a lot, John.
Wow, Derrick, I didn’t know that you had a brother who is 18 years younger than you. My sister, Margaret, is 22 years younger than I am, so I have a similar situation in my family. She’s expecting a baby in March! So sorry about the government/legal forms. There’s nothing worse than slogging through that nonsense.
Thank you so much, Jodie. 22 Years is even more
It’s a long time. : )
Hope your brother is able to complete the forms with little hassle.
Thanks very much, Mrs W.
Your welcome.
What a wonderful photo of you and Joseph. Good luck with the probate forms.
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Probate sounds such a headache!
Thanks very much, Helen. The worst aspect is having to do it on line.
Yes, I can imagine!
Of all Mr Keeping’s exceptional illustrations in this set, I was particularly impressed by his ability to express both ‘the miserable weather’ and ‘the two convicts cursing the cold.’ Equally remarkable is the ‘dismal place’ on Newgate street, as well as the collection of prisoners’ faces.
Good luck with the second round of probate forms, Derrick.
Thank you so much, Dolly. Your appreciation is valuable
I truly appreciate your appreciation of my appreciation, Derrick.
And so on ad infinitum š
Like totally, as kids say nowadays.
š
Being the youngest sibling in my family, it’s nice to see that your younger brother is recognized by the family for his math talents. Nice picture, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Barbara
I always enjoy these illustrations, Derrick. I am glad your brother is able to assist with the probate forms.
Thanks very much, Robbie
Thank goodness for Joseph. I have been helping Tara settle affairs with the death of their father who had no will. Every time we have a new thing to settle, people tell us, “This will all be so much harder because he had no will.” So I had the fantasy in my head that WITH a will, everything would be smoother. Apparently not.
That may well be harder, but bureaucracy and having to do everything on line is the problem for us all. Thanks very much, Crystal