Tired and Emotional

You have got to be a certain age to get that reference, and even then you get a mark if you remember who it was applied to. Politics has become such a shallow, tawdry business these days, compared to that age of Titans

But seriousy, I am - and without the aid of any external narcotics - though I expect there are unusually high levels of mind-altering compounds of some kind flowing around my body. We have made our acquaintance with our September grandson, born 3.5 days ago. He, MrsM and I sat on the sofa and chatted, while Mum and Dad grabbed much needed rest. There used to be a speculative hypothesis that this is the reason humans live so long beyond child-producing age - to be useful in raising the next generation. I think modern anthropology deprecates the theory, but we are not going to let that stop us having fun

Birth must be the most traumatic event most of us experience; it's no wonder the mind expunges it from conscious memory. People worry that newborn babies can be restless and distressed - crying for no apparent reason, demanding the reassurance of bodily contact and a comforting voice. The miracle is that they can be peacful and contented at all. As he lay in my arms, his eyes closed but in constant motion, his face betraying the working of his mind, I sense he must be somehow dealing with what he has gone through, but he lay tranquil and relaxed, equal to the task. Bring on day 5

The picture is a passing snap as we left a new (to us) cafe that I hope is still as good when grandsons are old enough to come with us. I also hope shed is still standing to add its note of charm