John Steinbeck, 'A Russian Journal'

I have just read this marvellous and totally engaging book that makes me want to marry John Steinbeck and move to Georgia. Although unsure of its exact  accuracy, I would whole-heartedly recommend it.
And I found out about so much in this enchanting and lovely book. I never knew before that 'every Russian town of any size has its permanent circus in a permanent building'. I didn't know about the churches that were 'rich and oriental' with paintings which were 'very black with incense and age'. Nor did I know of, and this one is amazing, the railway in Kiev run entirely by children! Wow.

Speech archive

For those of you who want to hear the sound of people from everywhere, why don't you look at this speech archive. It is good to hear the voices of others from the world.

Francoise Hardy

Thank you Mme Hardy for providing yet another highlight in the soundtrack of Phoebe's bambinosity. Hope y'all like this!

Another lullaby from Phoebe's babyhood

This song was another favourite when I was little. It's used effectively in the opening of"Jackie Brown", which is a rather marvellous work by Mr. Quentin Tarantino. Enjoy!

When Phoebe was wee

This was one of my favourite songs when I was a bubba. I thought you might like to share in it. There's more to come! 

Smoking man

Allow me to tell you a magical story. I was walking by a shop that was covered with mirrors, so that the caught and bounced in spectrums of colour in a way that looked like it belonged on the front of a science textbook. I decided to take some photographs, but when I looked at them later, I realised just how dull the beautiful effect looked in my camera. The only interesting photograph which I had taken was of a man in the blue and silver uniform of the underground train. He was smoking quickly, with his  hand on his hip. His face had been so angry before he smoked his cigarette, but it began to calm down. From this photograph I did a drawing, quickly like the man. You, too, can share the magic of this smoking man.

Documentaries

Feeling gloomy? These documentaries make pretty good viewing, hopefully you'll enjoy!

One hundred

I made a little movie. It's my first foray into this sort of thing. I hope you like it. 

The Twelfth Day of Christmas

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

Twelve drummers drumming,

Eleven pipers piping,

Ten lords a-leaping,

Nine ladies dancing,

Eight maids a-milking,

Seven swans a-swimming,

Six geese a-laying, 

Five gold rings,

Four calling birds, 

Three French hens, 

Two turtle doves, 

And a partridge in a pear tree. 

The Eleventh Day of Christmas

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

Eleven pipers piping,

Ten lords a-leaping,

Nine ladies dancing,

Eight maids a-milking,

Seven swans a-swimming,

Six geese a-laying, 

Five gold rings,

Four calling birds, 

Three French hens, 

Two turtle doves, 

And a partridge in a pear tree. 

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/making-bagpipes/query/bagpipes

The Tenth Day of Christmas

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

Ten lords a-leaping,

Nine ladies dancing,

Eight maids a-milking,

Seven swans a-swimming,

Six geese a-laying, 

Five gold rings,

Four calling birds, 

Three French hens, 

Two turtle doves, 

And a partridge in a pear tree. 

Ok, so there's only one. But it's a pretty impressive leap.

The Ninth Day of Christmas

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

Nine ladies dancing,

Eight maids a-milking,

Seven swans a-swimming,

Six geese a-laying, 

Five gold rings,

Four calling birds, 

Three French hens, 

Two turtle doves, 

And a partridge in a pear tree. 

http://theuglydance.com/

The Eighth Day of Christmas

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

Eight maids a-milking,

Seven swans a-swimming,

Six geese a-laying, 

Five gold rings,

Four calling birds, 

Three French hens, 

Two turtle doves, 

And a partridge in a pear tree.