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When John was about 20 his father went on sabbatical to Paris for a year to study holograms. It’s what physicists did in those days.  He was a university lecturer and had 3 kids and a wife and a house and a car and there wasn’t much money for such an adventure.

He went anyway and with the blessings of his wife and children.  He lived in a 1-star hotel and ate at the cheapest places in Paris so that he’d have enough money to explore the city.  He did more than that, he explored all of Europe and studied and worked with people he’s still communicating with. They were much younger for at 94, there aren’t many of his peers left.

In those days in Melbourne, Australia calling long distance was really rare and required contacting the operator who would call back once the line was connected. It was also expensive so it was done for hatches and dispatches (births and deaths) and not much more.

On John’s mother’s birthday the three children were all gathered at the house for dinner to celebrate the occasion and one of them, probably John, suggested they call dad as a gift for their mum. There was much excitement as the call to the operator was made and then there was the wait for the return call to say they’d connected.

Rob did research at a university lab and the phone was connected to the receptionist.  With the Shaw’s broken French and her broken English the receptionist realized who they wanted to talk to. It was getting exciting at the Shaw household as they hadn’t talked with Rob for months.

After what seemed an eternity, Rob picked up the phone and said hello.

Joan said hello and he said, “Who’s this?”

She was a bit indignant and said in a rather loud voice, “It’s Joan!”

wait for it…

Rob said, “Joan WHO??”

It’s a family joke John’s mother has never gotten over.  Rob’s paid for that mistake with gifts for nearly 40 years.  I laugh every time I remember the story and every time it gets told, it gets funnier.

He had no expectation that it was a long distance call and he was sure he didn’t know whose voice it was.

I’ve taken a couple of days off from blogging. I needed a break because the reality of what happened to John sunk in once he was okay and I went through the ‘what if’s and ‘what would become of me’s. I figured a day or so to read, swim with the dog, meditate and rest would do me good and you wouldn’t miss me.

This is not the healthy breakfasts we’ve been having since John’s heart attack. I took these photos back when Rob came to spend the night and this was my bacon, egg and cheese breakfast. I know this isn’t a proper Orgasmic Chef recipe but these aren’t proper times. We’ll get better, I promise.

I have been sharing so many photos of Charlie and I told you about he and Lucy.  I thought I’d show you what this poor dog has to put up with. Naughty kitty showing her goods! It’s no wonder he gets all lured in to misbehavior.