"Quote... Unquote"

I'm currently reading the 4th in Alexander McCall Smith's 44 Scotland Street series: The World According to Bertie. And I broke up when I read this passage:

'This story concerns Charmian Mao,' said Humphrey. 'He was said to have a very good sense of humour. He was asked once what he thought would have happened had it been Nikita Khrushchev rather than President Kennedy who had been assassinated. He thought about it for a moment and then said: " Well, one thing is certain: Aristotle Onassis would never have married Mrs. Khrushchev!" '

McCall Smith is the creator of the wonderful Precious Ramotswe, a woman of "traditional build," traditional values, owner of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and Botswana's only Lady Detective. I have yet to see the BBC screen adaptation of the first novel (it was director Anthony Minghella's last project) which was aired on Easter Sunday in the U.K. The reviews were mixed with most critics finding that the sweet, gentle nature of the books just didn't make it to the screen. I'm hoping BBC World will get around to showing it - maybe instead of the 200th rerun of Good Neighbours - so I can see for myself.

14 giugno - San Eliseo

Just Like the Real Thing... Only Smaller

Tuesday was a gorgeous day here - almost spring like, I noticed a few of the plants on the balcony are sending off new shoots. It was certainly too nice a day to sit around the house and I had to get down to a toy store at Piazza Navona before Laurent got back that afternoon from Greece.

And what does a toy store have to do with Laurent's return you may ask - or you may not but I have to work this in somehow. He collects lead soldiers which means he is the easiest person in the world to buy for - birthday, Christmas, anniversaries, welcome home I missed you cause nobody else would put up with my crap are occasions for adding to the collection. So what did I get him - something Italian? a Swiss Guard? A Carbineri? - nope if I were going to do that I'd try for the real thing!!!! I got him a Chairman Mao, little red book and all. Doesn't quite work with the 18th century French grenadiers but he can add it to his famous people grouping.

In honour of his time spent in China I have no problem giving him the Mao figure, however I refuse to be the one to add the Pope J2P2, Stalin, Mussolini or Hitler miniatures to his collection. And why exactly do they always group those figures together?

31 gennaio - San Giovanni Bosco