I can remember as a very small child, long before my schooldays, sitting curled up on my mother’s knee as she read to me. “Read some more, read some more!” I would say as the final page was turned and she would smile and open another book and continue reading until it really was time for tea. At bedtime she would read to me again, making sure to include the small tribe of teddy bear friends who were tucked up with me or arranged along the edge of the bed when there was no more room beneath the sheets.
By the time I went to school she had taught me to read for myself and I have voyaged ever since through the astonishing universe of literature, inhabiting a thousand different worlds and like an intrepid time-traveller whirled backwards and forwards through the centuries at the turn of a page.
This selection is from an ongoing series of pictures which attempts to capture some of the wonder and magic of my childhood reading and is dedicated to my amazing mother who died suddenly last weekend.
View from a French Hillside 
Absolutely darling pictures, Jane, but oh, I’m so sorry to hear about your mother. What a terrible shock. I send my love, along with strength and hugs, to you and your family
Sarah xxx
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Thankyou so much Sarah! It was a terrible shock but my Mum was always so happy and was like you with your motto keep smiling, so I’m following her example! 🙂 🙂
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😀
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Jane, I’m so sorry to hear of your mother’s sudden passing. Sending you lots of hugs and love. – This is such a beautiful post, and as always the pictures are incredible. A lovely tribute to your Mum.
Stay strong, keep smiling.
Xoxo
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Hello Anne, thankyou so much for your kind message! I’m so glad you like this. My Mum was a very happy person, always smiling no matter what, so I’m determined to do the same 🙂 Best wishes Jane
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Encouraged by your post, I have just treated Mrs Shpics, (who is too short in the tooth to remember it on the wireless), to a full and quite dramatic rendition of ‘The Teddy Bears Picnic’, complete with my best Henry Hall BBC voice.
Sadly, she wasn’t keen…….Philistine!
Your photos however have a big seal of approval…..
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HaHa sh you have been found! Lingering with dubious intent in the SPAM bucket! How has that happened? Bizarre. Now all I need to know is which one is 14/9 ?? 😀
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The SPaM bucket!!!!
Woe is me…….
Chopped ham with pork!!! Eurgh!
(I imagine it followed 14/8)
heehee
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HoHo – that was the spooky bit , there were no numbers
;? 😛
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Seedpods Janey…Seedpods!
14 and 9.
How confusing things get when wordpress has a shit-fit!
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Blimey, you see, I didn’t get that comment either so just thought it was all about teddy bears – well life is really isn’t it if we want to get philosophical n’ all. I shall check out the relevant seed pods
🙂
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Splendid…Lookout seedpods, Here she comes! Philosophical antennas all aquiver!
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🙂
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Now that I would like to have heard ! Poor Mrs sh, do you do this sort of thing often?
well yes of course you do 😀
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I’ve just given her a verse of ‘Surrey with a fringe on top’……..beautiful!
(and, though the front door is still rattling, I’m confident she will return…)
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With a stun gun hopefully 😕
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Now that’s just cruel…….
And unwarranted…I’ll have you know I sound like a cross between Howard Keel and George Formby!
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Mind boggling 😕 Can’t see George Formby quite hitting the mark in Dynasty or was it Dallas? Do you play lead banjo then 😕 😕
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It IS a striking combination….(I’m more of a Ukelele man).
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And there was I thinking you hailed from Birmingham
🙂
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teehee…..
I do …It’s a ‘UK’ lele…..
🙂
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hic…Who moi?
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I’m sure if that’s the slivovitz you should spell hycstzz ? 😀
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When you’re this pissed spelling is the least of your worries…..
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What! At 11 o’clock in the morning!
😀
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More hung over than actually soused…..But I styll cahn’t spel…
😦
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Complètement bourré 😀
(slang for drunk but interestingly means stuffed as well) 😀 😀
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Those Frenchies….can’t leave food out of the equation……
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😀
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She was a lovely lady. Xx
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Thankyou Jen, she sure was! xx
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Sorry Jane..Wordpress is being really naughty…I’ve copied and re-posted.
Hey Janey, I have just treated Mrs Shpics to a full rendition,( in my best Henry Hall style) of ‘Teddy Bears Picnic’….She hated it!…Philistine!
Luckily we both loved your photos.
Ed and Charles, (our own first bears, who thank heavens are gay, and have happily cuddled together on the bedroom bookcase for the last 14 years, look somewhat outclassed in comparison to yours…..)
🙂
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Hi Jane, I’m sorry to hear about your mother. From what I read here, she is an extraordinary mother,she’s patient, loving and caring, yet her visions are as wide as our world… she is truly the great planter & gate opener to the amazing world.
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What a lovely way to put it idlehomemaker! Thankyou and yes you’re right. She was the happiest person I ever met and sprinkled a little of it around her wherever she went! 🙂
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My sincere sympathies regarding your mom, Jane. I can only imagine how touched and honored she would feel to see your beautiful artwork dedicated to her efforts and her memory. She sounds a treasure beyond words and you were incredibly fortunate to have landed in her loving world.
Hugs from my hillside to yours.
Be well.
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Many thanks and hugs to you too Shelley! My Mum has certainly left a huge void behind her but also an incredible amount of love and happy memories 🙂 I believe I have indeed been most fortunate to have her so close by for so long. 🙂
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These are delightful. I am so sorry to hear about your mother.
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Thankyou Alex it sure is quiet around here now!
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Sounds like a perfect place for a nice read 🙂
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