Public Address | Cafe | Southerly: Golden Lads and Girls All Must

ChrisW

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 09:54:30 +1200

I went googling a few days ago too and found this reference from early 1970s
to Shakespeare's inferred intent from his Warwickshire origins that golden lads = dandelions in flower and chimney-sweepers = dandelion heads in seed, from the close resemblance of their shape to the brush used. But also found…

JLM

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 09:21:21 +1200

My daughter told me about the chimney-sweeper=dandelion hypothesis from her Otago English Lit classes a decade ago, and her lecturer, Shef ??? claimed some sort of credit, either personal or as part of a team. I'll ask her. Like David, I was absolutely entranced, and, unlike him, I'm still a…

Islander

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 01:30:48 +1200

When in doubt, flee to the expert- in this case, the expat and late-lamented Eric Partridge: dust came from OE, OS, ON, OHG & OLG...

David Haywood

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 01:07:26 +1200

RE: Chimney Sweeps/Dandelions

I was utterly entranced when I read this in Bill Bryson's otherwise very slight biography of Shakespeare. Unfortunately, as with several other "facts" cited in Bryson's books, when I thought about it for a few minutes it seemed highly improbable. Remembering my history of the Industrial Revolution,…

David Haywood

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:57:26 +1200

My Auntie Briar wrote:

David is being his usual self-effacing, modest self

First time I've ever been called that! But very pleased to have been involved with the production of the book — even though my contribution was genuinely rather small.

Jolisa wrote:

[Quoting David Haywood:]
> Also I never…

Jolisa

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 14:25:23 +1200

You should be proud, Briar – it's a wonderful book and a real heirloom for all. Glad to help with its delivery.

Also I never noticed the pun until Jolisa pointed it out (above).

Actually, I had never noticed it either, even after I (apparently) pointed it out. I wonder…

Briar Gregory

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 17:38:09 +1200

David is being his usual self-effacing, modest self regarding his contribution to his grandfather's book. He spent hours and hours getting it ready for publication, a true labour of love and respect for his grandparents. The book is something the whole family is tremendously proud of, especially his Grandad.

And…

Tim Michie

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 14:04:04 +1200

Belated but sincere sympathy David.

Richard C

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 09:35:47 +1200

... as chimney-sweepers, come to dust.

Sincerely sorry for your loss, David.

Apropos the quotation from Cymbeline.

Somebody – might have been Frank Kermode, or Stephen Greenblatt; I can't remember – pointed out that 'chimney-sweepers' was Warwickshire dialect, used to describe a dandelion seed-head.

I don't know if that's true,…

Ross Mason

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 13:27:35 +1200

FYI I managed to slip in a brief mention of Wilfred Owen and Robert Graves in today's thermo lecture

.......the poetic "disassembly" of body parts......??

Deborah

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 02:01:48 +1200

I'm so sorry, David. And sad that your grandparents' long married life has come to its end.

Ben Austin

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 01:14:47 +1200

David, please accept my sympathies to both you and your family.

Sacha

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:00:19 +1200

Very Thomas Pynchon

snap

Sacha

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 23:54:23 +1200

Very Thomas Pynchon

snap

Joe Wylie

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 23:48:16 +1200

FYI I managed to slip in a brief mention of Wilfred Owen and Robert Graves in today's thermo lecture. I'll leave readers to figure out the connection between entropy generation in large-scale refrigeration plants and these poets.

Very Thomas Pynchon. If you haven't already, will you be touching on [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxwell's_demon|Maxwell's…

David Haywood

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 23:16:26 +1200

Thank you all again for the kind comments on this thread. It's been really helpful to read people's thoughts on this...

I'm heading up to Auckland for the funeral tomorrow, so it'll be very nice to commune with all my relatives up there. Emma Hart has kindly loaned me some…

Islander

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 22:17:04 +1200

A wee bit distant, but still pertinent- I grew up learning "Golden lads and lasses must"-
there's a couple of warrants for this variant, tho'none in official Shakespeare.
Rhymes better tho'-

Steve Barnes

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:18:10 +1200

All cried out now.............
My heart goes out to you and your family David.
:-(
Your Grandfathers book has a life of its own and your Grandmother will live on between the covers.

Kris V

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:03:18 +1200

condolences and girly hugs to the Haywood clan :)
thank you for sharing & may the memories always remain as lovely as she was

ChrisW

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 13:56:34 +1200

Bittersweet indeed, thanks again David for the lovely tributes to your grandfather and grandmother. Congratulations and condolences to your family on the achievement and the loss.

The golden lad your grandfather's loss is so great, I fear without the golden girl's close support with soup and dress sense he will…

Megan Clayton

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 12:30:57 +1200

Warm congratulations on your grandfather's publication, and sad condolences on the death of your grandmother. Our long-lived elder relatives are often a treasure to us and I wish your memories of her an equal longevity.

Stephen Judd

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:14:17 +1200

Condolences and man-hugs, David.

Christopher Dempsey

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 05:41:10 +1200

Thanks for sharing your story David, appreciated. I am sorry about your loss. It's lovely that you had one last memory of your gran to cherish.

chris

Mon, 31 May 2010 23:27:01 +1200

That was a beautiful piece David. An uncanny representation of the way the cards are so often dealt in life. Respect to your family and yourself.

Ross Mason

Mon, 31 May 2010 21:45:09 +1200

Choke.

I keep hearing Forest's Mum saying: "It's my time Forest, it's my time."

Leigh Kennaway

Mon, 31 May 2010 20:35:14 +1200

Thanks once again for your great writing David, and sympathetic man-hugs. It is great to hear of the timely publication of your grand-father's book. An elderly relative of mine has recently moved in to a hospice, and as I sort through her photos, letters and documents I've been reflecting on…

Matthew Littlewood

Mon, 31 May 2010 18:29:26 +1200

I don't have much to add other than to say that's a beautiful piece of writing, David. I'm really sorry for your loss.

Sacha

Mon, 31 May 2010 18:23:01 +1200

when she discovered that he'd dedicated it to her

Sad news but glad she got to have that experience.

Rob Stowell

Mon, 31 May 2010 16:29:10 +1200

Thinking of you and your grandfather. What a blow and at such a time.
The Port Hills are wild and craggy- almost Scots, if not York- the right place to go.
Incidentally: I had a mate who used to talk about "going for a walk to the Port Hills". It…

3410

Mon, 31 May 2010 16:14:16 +1200

How sad, David, but how wonderful that your gran went out with what one presumes was great pride and happiness and contentedness with her life.

George Darroch

Mon, 31 May 2010 15:11:22 +1200

My grandmother was moved to tears to see my grandfather's autobiography finally finished; and then moved to tears again when she discovered that he'd dedicated it to her.

Love. What a beautiful relationship, and despite the sadness I'm sure there's a lot of warmth being remembered right now.

David Haywood

Mon, 31 May 2010 14:37:01 +1200

Many thanks for all the kind words and cyber-hugs, everyone. Yes, it's a sad time for the Haywood family — even young Bob, who is a bit traumatized by his first encounter with the D word. We're going for a drive into the Port Hills right now as a cheer-up…

Don Christie

Mon, 31 May 2010 14:20:34 +1200

Condolences.

You have both a Scots and Yorkshire heritage! That takes some living up to.

Isabel Hitchings

Mon, 31 May 2010 13:52:26 +1200

Arohanui to you and your family David.

Islander

Mon, 31 May 2010 13:38:43 +1200

aue taukiri e...a cyber hongi&handclasp is headed your way David (and Ana Hato at last in more concrete form.)

Thank you for reminding me, in a manner both poignant & funny, that life is of the moment, even when the relationships are very long-term-

Grace Dalley

Mon, 31 May 2010 11:26:34 +1200

All part of what my late uncle used to describe as "life's threadbare tapestry".

I'm sorry for your loss.

Megan Wegan

Mon, 31 May 2010 11:03:52 +1200

Oh, David. This isn't the first time you've made me cry.

As Emma says, the pub didn't really seem the right place to talk about it, and not so soon, but many many hugs to you and yours.

Bart Janssen

Mon, 31 May 2010 10:34:55 +1200

Thank you David for again allowing us into your life.

My deepest sympathies and yes I too, will abuse your personal space and line up to give you a hug. You better get used to it.

Emma Hart

Mon, 31 May 2010 10:33:10 +1200

Oh m'darling. I was going to email you today to tell you how sorry I was, because the pub just didn't seem to be an appropriate venue. (Also, please tell me either you or Jen left behind a blue knitted scarf, because otherwise Megan and I have accidentally stolen one.)…

Russell Brown

Mon, 31 May 2010 10:19:09 +1200

Oh, David. In this time of twits with blogs, of chest-beating and silliness, this is how these tools we have can mean something. I'm lined up behind Jackie on the hug-giving.

giovanni tiso

Mon, 31 May 2010 10:07:31 +1200

So take that — all you people who have so often compared Jolisa Gracewood with Mussolini or Simon Cowell!

And let's be honest: who hasn't?

This

"I don't want to open the boxes without her,"

is very very sweet whereas this

That's because Grandma's vegetarian soup is made with shin-bones

…

Ian MacKay

Mon, 31 May 2010 09:49:55 +1200

When people talk of the "rich tapestry of life" it is a bit cliched but your family is rich indeed. Thankyou for sharing those riches.

Raymond A Francis

Mon, 31 May 2010 08:34:38 +1200

Lovely story David, poor ending though

Loved the thought of your subversive Grandmother using beef stock for your special "vegetable" soup

Jackie Clark

Mon, 31 May 2010 07:54:26 +1200

Oh David, I am so very sorry. How bittersweet for you all. Much love and hugs – and I don't care if you hate them, you're getting one anyway.

Jolisa

Mon, 31 May 2010 02:33:01 +1200

... as chimney-sweepers, come to dust." One of the loveliest lines in the world, and always delivered, in my mind at least, by Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins garb.

David, I'm so very sorry to hear about your grandmother. My condolences to all of you, most especially your grandfather.

I'm…

Public Address

Mon, 31 May 2010 02:33:01 +1200

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