As postprandial conversations are wont to do, yesterday’s discussion in the pub leapt in little more than a single bound from some quite general topic to the more specific one of Minna Reverelli, the Yodelling Prima Donna.

This was my fault. My Dad had an old 78 rpm record that took my fancy, and I have it beside me as I type. It’s in an old cardboard sleeve that announces it was originally sold by Paterson, Sons & Marr Wood, Ltd (Pianoforte Makers to Their Majesties The King and Queen), of 183 Union Street, Aberdeen (with additional branches in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Paisley, Greenock, Perth and Oban).

The record itself is a Parlophone recording, D.P. 167, and apparently you can pick up your own second-hand copy – so the Internet informs me – for the princely sum of €2.

Mine is actually third-hand, as the sleeve features a hand-written inscription, “Tommy from Meg 1971”. That’s my Dad, and my great-aunt, his mother’s sister.

The track that drew me is The Cuckoo In The Wood, a song in Viennese dialect with yodelled impressions of a cuckoo. What is there not to like?

I had a quick search for it online, and struck lucky. You can hear it on YouTube (unfortunately, embedding this particular video is disabled, so click here, or on the picture).

This morning I also found a small number of additional tracks in MP3 format, and some rather sad information. Minna Reverelli was Jewish and disappeared in Vienna in 1941. Please read what little more there is and enjoy her music so that her memory can live on.

kateaw occasionally blogs about interesting words, and I came across a word that I want to remember, so I thought this would be a good way to do that.

People sometimes comment on my signature, although I always regard it as very disappointing compared to my father’s. Making an attractive signature finished off with loops and curls was something he was taught, and had to practice, at school, whereas I just have a bit of a valedictory squiggle by comparison.

Anyway, the word that I am pleased to have learned is:

paraph:

A flourish made after or below a signature, originally to prevent forgery.

As most people reading this will already know, my Dad died on the 9th of March. Thanks to all who expressed their sympathy, in whatever way.

( Dad in a few stories and pictures )

Last week was spent with my parents, due to their ruby wedding anniversary occurring. The day itself was Sunday 24th, but for logistical reasons the small celebration took place on Wednesday. Family were represented by myself, my sister and her boyfriend, Mum's brothers' families and Dad's cousin, and there was an assortment of local friends of my parents.

Come to think of it, they've spent thirty of the forty years living in the area, as we moved to Glendaruel round about Easter in 1975, so the locals are practically family too!

Both Mum and Dad seemed to enjoy themselves, though it was a long day for Dad in particular - he's not very mobile following a couple of strokes and a matching number of heart attacks. He seems to have responded well to being put on warfarin since the New Year though, which is a relief.