A Grandshaw Joy

I had taken my final dose of Paxlovid. My symptoms are almost entirely gone. So Sheila invited me to the living room to watch TV with her after supper. We watched an episode of the early 2000s British crime show "The Last Detective" then enjoyed the President's great speech. Yay! It is absolutely time for the good guys to take the gloves off and face up frankly and calmly but definitely to the reality that our republic is under attack and all small-r republicans must unite against the autocrats, racists, and xenophobes.

After watching a little of the post speech coverage Sheila headed off to other parts and I was working on trying to get that last %^$&^%$ four-letter word in the NYT Spelling Bee --- Sheila who beats me most days has already reached Queen Bee status, as usual. 

Then the computer dings and this text message pops up:

Few text messages could have brought more joy to Grandshaw I assure you! I knew the show would be a masterpiece.

As usual when the phone rang and I clicked to open the FaceTime call on my MacBook, up popped the expected chaos. Three excited little girls are running around their den, crawling all over their Mother, cushions on the floor, and the sofa/puppet theater. 

The two younger girls ignored the "show" walking/crawling/toddling in and out of the frame while Clementine arranged an assortment of plush  "puppets" from behind the sofa, about half her head showing most of the time... there's a giraffe, a teddy bear, another bear, an alligator, and pig. I cannot possibly explain what went on with those characters, though I think the teddy bear was the antagonist. I can confidently assert that the performers had an excellent time.

After the show I was asked to take a turn telling a story, and of course, "Ghost With One Black Eye" was requested. Our GWOBE is a participatory story. The characters are the five members of the Carlin family. Sound effects and some dialog is supplied by the listeners. As expected an encore performance was requested and given, except I was asked to tell it this time as "The Ghost With Three Black Eyes" and as an grandfather would, I obliged. 

How I love these FaceTime calls. It ain't being there but from 2000 miles away it it sure beats nothing.

Here are a few blurry screenshots that might give a feel for the experience.

Later Note: Brannon sent this picture she took of the three girls listening to the story ...

Happy Birthday, Brannon!

 We Facetimed with Brannon late tonight and were thrilled that Ruthie and Clemmie were still up and VERY ready to talk.  Ruthie was anxious to let us know that she is "two and a half!" These screenshots will give a flavor of the conversation. 

Smile! The "4" was the only candle Brannon could find around the house.

Clemmie reminded me that she want me to tell the Ghost With One Black Eye when we come to California... except she has decided that a variation would be good; she suggests "The Ghost With FOUR Black Eyes". 

Both girls had a very extended snack time before bed because they wanted to blow bubbles in their milk...

...which they found hilarious and infinitely entertaining.

When it was time to hand up we had a long session of kiss throwing..

Oh, notice the lemon? Ruthie had a great time allowing me to "lick" the lemon. My grimaces at the sour "taste" was, of course, very humorous.

I am Thankful for FaceTime!

Talking with Suzie

Sharing my yogurt & mango with Ruthie.

Playing "Sleeping Human" with Clemmie.

Social Media and the online world in general have some pretty important drawbacks. There is no doubt in my mind that a treacherous charlatan like Donald John Trump could not have been able to claim the presidency against the will of the American people without the tremendous boost he got from social media -- both the above board nonsense that he and his minions produced in the open and the secret multiplication of lies and filth produced undercover by his comrades in Russian basements.

BUT -- as a storyteller online telling has kept things going during a pandemic.

BUT -- as executor of my Mother's estate Zoom meetings have allowed seven siblings to fairly cooperate to fulfill Mother's wishes even though we are separated by many miles and assorted health issues.

AND -- through those heath issues my seven siblings have been able to support one another at a distance.

AND as a grandfather separated from his three wonderful granddaughters by an entire continent, the miracles of online visitation via FaceTime ain't the same as a real visit, but it sure beats nothing! 

Yesterday my babies called me from Vista, California connecting with my high-resolution brand-new MacBook at my kitchen table. There were no actual hugs, but it was just about the next best thing as we participated in about thirty minutes of tele-silliness. 

When we visit there Clementine likes to invent games/improvisation which must be recreated repeatedly with only occasional variation. On our last trip - last December - she came up with the "Sleeping Human" game. Clementine is the unquestioned Director and must occasionally stop the action to explain how the scene is to proceed.The cast includes:

Sleeping Human - me (GrandShaw)

Alarm Clock - Sheila (Granny)

Cat - Clemmie

Puppy - Ruthie

On the phone last night one new character was added: At nine months of age Suzie has been cast as Kitten.

Sleeping Human yawns, stretches, and goes to sleep, snoring softly. Cat and puppy find secluded spots to curl up and sleep.

(A few beats)

The Alarm Clock sounds.

Sleeping Human rises stretches, yawns, opens imaginary pet food and calls cat and puppy and kitten to breakfast. Cat and puppy crawl out of hiding and greedily devour imaginary food. 

The day passes very quickly and Sleeping Human is expected to sleep again. Repeat.

One month from today I will see these boogers in person!

Here are some screen shots from our FaceTime yesterday.

Suzie wants to look behind the cell phone.

Clem likes to get...

...up close... 

...and personal.

Suzie and I shared our food through FaceTime and our imaginations.

As Puppy, Ruth crawls away to sleep.

Ruthie with her Mommy

At one point Clemmie and Ruth decided to take me (the cell phone) right into their "circus tent".

Ruth & Clemmie love their little sister.

"What is this thing? Who is that guy?"

'plaining

Waiting for Alarm Clock Grannie...

...to wake the Sleeping Human.

All four of my Carlin girls.