IMAGES MAY BE ENLARGED BY CLICKING ON THEM. REPEAT IF NECESSARY
Jackie, on an even duller day, continued her creative cultivation. My contribution this morning was a raked redistribution of the now rather rutted gravel on the back drive. In doing so I gained even more appreciation of the efforts of Richard in shifting shingle from his beach hut described in ‘Like Shovelling Water Or Coal In A Bunker’. And the ground I was working was at least level.
This afternoon I scanned a batch of colour slides from June 1980.
This one of Jessica was taken shortly before Sam’s birth, in University College Hospital in Euston Road, on 19th.
Here is the new arrival at two days old. He must have had decent fingernails, hence the protective mittens.
Cradled by his Mum he slept peacefully,
then shared his first joke with her,
and was introduced into the eager arms of Matthew
and Becky.
While I was drafting this, the rain having desisted, the light was just good enough to photograph the view from my window including part of the front garden, where can be seen
euphorbia, tulips, daffodils, pansies, heucheras, hellebores, borage, with a glimpse of
the crab apple blossom, to the left of which, out of shot, a couple of owls, of course, stand sentinel on the fence.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s marvellous steak and mushroom pie, sauteed potatoes and peppers, carrots, and cauliflower in a cheese sauce; followed by treacle tart and cream. The Cook drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Cotes du Rhone.
Such wonderful pictures of the baby, the siblings, and, of course, the garden. Made me smile to look at them.
Thank you Laurie. Me too, after all these years
Great photos of fond memories, Derrick.
How can you concentrate on your writing with a view like that? Thank you for sharing it.
Meat pie…but there’s another hour before sunrise and probably several before the pies heat in the shop. 🙂
Many thanks, Mary, for such a full response – as usual
Great photos that made me smile!Happiness at its peak!Particularly love the picture with the baby!
Thanks, Sofia
Stunning photos! I imagine you are enjoying looking back with them. I love the photo of Jessica in the garden and Matthew with the baby. Your garden, as usual, is gorgeous.
Many thanks, Merril. Looking back on photos always evokes a multitude of feelings
Aw…what great pictures! I love the mittens shot…that face is so sweet.
What a beautiful view you have, Derrick.
Many thanks, Jill
Wonderful shots of mother-to-be, baby and both together Derrick – like Merril I was thinking about the memories that must be evoked with this process. It is wonderful how you have captured the moments of your life. The garden is looking lush!! Go the Head Gardener!!
Many thanks, Pauline. The Head Gardener is appreciative 🙂
Gorgeous memories, and lush garden…so much here. I enjoyed this very much, both the photos and your storytelling.
Many thanks, Pleasant
As ever, a blog full of beautiful life!
Thank you Lisa. It’s pouring with rain today 🙂
Here too…
The first shot is so beautiful. There is always something so special about mothers to be, they look like blooming flowers. Loved the shots of the baby too and those of him with his siblings. Your garden is really stunning. I wish I could plant crab apple and have it survive here 🙂
Thanks for sharing the beautiful memories as well as the beautiful return to the present.
Many thanks, Geetha, for your insightful comments
Welcome Derrick
I misread it at first as “euphoria”. That would be a cracking plant to have in the garden!
Thanks, John 🙂
Beautiful pics and memories with the new arrival, Derrick. 🙂
Thank you, Monica
😀
These are precious Derrick – always brings back wonderful memories.
Thank you, Mary. They are
Wonderful memories, Derrick. <3
It’s tulip time here in Ottawa too, which always feels like the real New Year to me. I’m born in the same year as your son, neat! I miss the old slides we used to take. I should dig them up. 🙂
Thank you, Anita. They are well worth looking up for the memories
Beautiful memories Derrick, it really is great to look back into the past and revisit precious moments, I can see treasured memories in those pictures.
Kind regards.
Many thanks, Ian
The first time I ‘found you’ it was because of pictures like these. Just make me so happy seeing them. I LOVE the one of Jessica pregnant, that is a blast of past and a gorgeous one, what an absolutely perfect picture. Good grief man, you rival the best, but you must know that. I have seen many good portrait photographs of that era but yours are up there with them. Just lovely. I think what I find so appealing is that you love your family so much and have such pride in them and you describe your life in a way that we care about them too and so seeing the eras of their lives as well as the day to day of present life, is like reading a book with your favorite characters in it. I feel should I ever meet you or Jackie IRL I would hug you like well loved friends, and that would feel natural and right. You give a world to us through your photography and you should be awfully proud of that because it’s no little feat my friend. (I still want to eat Jackies food and you can tell her that!).
Thank you so much, Candice, for such a heartfelt and comforting response.
Thank you for your gift of pictures.
This was a wonderful post with the baby’s arrival. I liked the still pregnant photograph of the beautiful mother to be. Then, the one of Sam with his little hands in mittens. I did this, too. For some reason they have very sharp nails and mothers like me, don’t want to accidentally cut them too close so we just cover them up! 🙂
I liked Matthew’s expression, also how adoring Becky was of the new baby. The garden and meal also had to take a back seat in this collection of valuable, precious memories, Derrick! 🙂
Thank you so much, Robin
Your world is blossoming all around you. Beautiful photos.
Thank you, Kim