AmbivaBlog: The Birthday Boy

Goodenough Gismo

This is the classic children's book, Goodenough Gismo, by Richmond I. Kelsey, published in 1948. Nearly unavailable in libraries and the collector's market, it is posted here with love as an "orphan work" so that it may be seen and appreciated -- and perhaps even republished, as it deserves to be. After you read this book, it won't surprise you to learn that Richmond Irwin Kelsey (1905-1987) was an accomplished artist, or that as Dick Kelsey, he was one of the great Disney art directors, breaking your heart with "Pinocchio," "Dumbo," and "Bambi."

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The Birthday Boy

Rainy's first birthday!

December 12, 2007.

(By the way, he doesn't lie around all the time. It's just the only time I can take his non-flash picture. I have lots of blurs.)

Posted by amba on December 13, 2007 at 11:11 PM | Permalink

Comments

Happy Birthday Rainy-boy! Although you've never said it, I'm thinking that he became self-selected king of the castle quite some time ago.

Posted by: Randy (Internet Ronin) | December 13, 2007 at 11:21 PM

Omigod, IR, there you are! Michael and I were wondering, if not quite yet worrying, about you.

Of course, the same could be said about me. But I think y'all knew I was on deadline. Most of it's done now -- a very strange feeling as the pressure lifts.

Posted by: amba | December 13, 2007 at 11:29 PM

Amba, these days when you disappear for a time I just assume it's the job. (Is that job still as cool as I imagine it to be?)

Incidentally, whatever happened to Karen?

Posted by: Icepick | December 14, 2007 at 08:44 AM

The job is way cool. I do get the feeling that I'm a bit of a rogue elephant over there, constantly overstepping the bounds of what a copy editor is supposed to do and upsetting other people's comfort and authority. It's interesting to me because I don't feel this is either right or wrong. Sometimes I'm right and sometimes I'm out of line, probably. I know it's a net contribution, even when I screw up. This is surprising to me because when I was younger I would have been much more mortified by my own bloody nerve and arrogance. Now I'm just, "Deal with it." The other element of it is an ability to care totally about how I think something should be but then give up totally, shrug and move on if I'm overruled.

Posted by: amba | December 14, 2007 at 09:22 AM

Age brings perspective, and isn't that the greatest thing ever? I'm experiencing it just nearing age 40. I can't wait to see what it will bring when I'm 60.

Incidentally, you might find Peggy Noonan's column today of some interest. The part about Huckabee and religion is particularly of interest. I may have to break my vow of indifference just to go vote against him in the primary.

Posted by: Icepick | December 14, 2007 at 10:34 AM

"A vow of indifference" -- I love it. You're vehemently, committedly indifferent!

I'm going to read the column now. You know, she could be a hit (wo)man for the WSJ Club for Growth people, in her gently acid way. They think Huckabee's going to raise taxes. And they really only tolerate the religious social conservatives because it's part of their power base.

Posted by: amba | December 14, 2007 at 11:02 AM

You're vehemently, committedly indifferent!

It makes sense. My wife describes herself as an extreme moderate.

You know, she could be a hit (wo)man for the WSJ Club for Growth people, in her gently acid way.

Perhaps. But that's not the thrust of her arguement. And I now see that Huckabee has soared into the lead in the polls of both Florida and SCarolina.

Post some blurry pictures of your cat. In this season we need all the warm fuzzies we can get.

Posted by: Icepick | December 14, 2007 at 11:21 AM