Little did I know when I wrote “The Third Bird Carnival” that John had never read any Thurber. I promised him this morning that I would attempt to rectify that, since Thurber makes perfect reading-aloud material. We used to read aloud during dinner preparation when I was growing up. Humorists like James Thurber and Patrick McManus are both perfect and hazardous for such endeavors. Perfect in that they are short, dramatic, and engaging. Hazardous in that they are funny enough to render the reader mute with laughter, leaving the listener stranded waiting for whatever made the reader paralyzed.
Having read “The Night the Bed Fell” and “More Alarms at Night” to John as he wrestled with a chicken, we may now have a new or recycled household habit. Not to mention, a new catchphrase: “Name some towns in New Jersey quick!”
I read to Armin while he washes up. (Less so, sadly, now that we have both a dishwasher and a baby.) Terry Pratchett is favourite, but right now I’m introducing him to AA Milne’s Once On a Time. If you’ve never read it, go hunt down a copy immediately. (Out of print, sadly…)
.-= Robynn´s last blog ..Fickle, fickle =-.
I’m lucky if I can get company in the kitchen when I’m washing up – having somebody read to me is beyond my imagination! (Although maybe I’ll start listening to an audiobook on my iPod while I work…)
.-= Marie´s last blog ..Shades of beach =-.
Dave and I used to do that. It’s a bittersweet memory. I did love it! (And I can name appallingly many towns in New Jersey, which is a tragic skill. I hope never to return there, although I doubt that is how things will play out.)