I have not been posting much for the last few days because my son and daughter-in-law have left their children here while they attended a wedding. One of my fondest memories of my father was when he would read to my twin brother and me. I, too, have found pleasure in reading to my grandchildren. I read them JRR Tolkien's Farmer Giles of Ham and explained Tolkien's jokes (the smith's name is Fabricius Cunctator, which means either "the slow worker" or "the delaying smith") which they enjoyed. And I listened to their prattle, which I enjoyed, because it was their prattle.

There are definite joys to parenthood and grandparenthood, and it's nice to be reminded of them.