AKMA’s Random Thoughts

Au Revoir, Pip!

Pippa's Topper
Originally uploaded by AKMA.

My unique daughter Pippa — seen here modelling her latest creation, the successor to the tinfoil bonnet — will leave tomorrow morning to spend the next few weeks with beloved Margaret in Durham. “Let’s see,” I hear you say; “Margaret’s going back to Durham; Pippa’s going with her; Si is on the road (at Jennifer’s tonight, actually). That means. . . .”

Yes, it does: I’m on my own for the next week or so. Not counting Bea, of course, and she doesn’t really count that much.

Single parenting is a strain, make no mistake. You would think I’d be delighted to have a week on my own schedule, and then have only Si to take care of when he gets back, which is rather like saying “to wave at as your paths cross once every couple of days.” But we know I’ll miss Margaret, and I’ll miss Pippa very much (my art supply will be cut off cold turkey, a frightening thought right there), and I even miss Si for the next week, especially since people keep calling us up with glowing reports of what a good guy he is. I mean, really! We know him pretty well, and he’s not that great. Why, we could tell you about the time. . . .

But I digress. I’ll miss them all, and I hope Pippa sends me her patented variety of illustrated mail, and Margaret video-chats with me, and Si comes back soon. Otherwise I may turn into a gibbering maudlin old fool. More so, I mean.