Halfway down the stairsIs a stair where I sit:
There isn't any other stair quite like it.
I'm not at the bottom,
I'm not at the top:
So this is the stair where I always stop.
Halfway up the stairs
Isn't up, and isn't down.
It isn't in the nursery, it isn't in the town:
And all sorts of funny thoughts
Run round my head:
'It isn't really anywhere! It's somewhere else instead!'
A A Milne 1882 - 1956
Recently I seem to have thoughts of stairs running through my head. The poem by A. A. Milne was set to music and was a song I enjoyed teaching to various classes of young children who passed through my singing lessons. I must confess that I liked singing it too and playing the delicate piano accompaniment. The photo, around 20 years old, is of Biddy, the founder of our Jack Russell pack, who often sat half-way down the stairs. Frodo does the same in his capacity as my guardian so that he can keep a close eye on the door into the front porch. Biddy was just busy and nosy and great fun.
The song was sung by 'Robin the Frog' in episode 110 of The Muppet Show.
Thank you to the hosts of Camera Critters and Pet Pride. Please visit them to see more.
Very cute post. I like the poem and the photo.
ReplyDeleteThat's a new song to me. Great match up to the picture! Our cats will sit on a step halfway up if they want to get away from me when I try petting them, ready to run up all the way should I start up to follow them.
ReplyDeletePerfect song for the photo - we have had several cats who sat similarly. Jack Russells are adorable and personable - my brother has one and I always enjoy a visit.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Wrenaissance!
Love the poem and what a perfect match for the photo! Sam sits half way down our stairs, too! Guess he figures he can keep an eye on both the upstairs and downstairs that way!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
Sylvia
Oh! That poem made me happy. I love cheerful stuff like that. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks also for stopping by Casa Hice and leaving a comment! Gosh, I appreciate that so much. Comments make me happy too.
Today is a good day.
Come back again soon. I'll leave the door unlocked for you!
Thank you all, folks:-)
ReplyDeleteI adore AA Milne. The original Winnie. And the best.
ReplyDeleteHi Jabby, that is a nice picture you have there. It matches the Milne poem really well.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you were a singing/voice teacher. If I lived closer, in the U.K, I might let you try me out. I have been told (1) that I have a 'bad ear' and (2)that the church choir director would rather I not sing in his choir, please.
I hear a lot of bad ears can be trained.
..
Link to my dog, Adi, and pictures:
Adi Can Link
..
Half way up - half way down. Depends on it you see the glass half full or half empty. Great photo today. Our dogs are such blessings to our lives. I have no idea what my life would be without mine and don't want to know☺
ReplyDeleteCate - I agree! Disney's Winnie the Pooh is cute but doesn't come anywhere near the delicacy of E. H. Shepard's illustrations.
ReplyDeleteJim - thank you! I'm not a singing/voice teacher just a teacher who taught singing along with everything else in the curriculum. However, EVERYone can sing - you just need a bit of help in listening to your voice and adjusting it ;-)
Mimi - we are fortunate indeed that we can have our pets.Life in this family would be so much poorer without them.
What a funny dog! I think that he wants to make sure he's the center of attention and if you trip over him/ or her 20 times a day you won't forget!
ReplyDeleteCarly - she certainly used to get under our feet but she was the sweetest-natured little girl and very friendly.
ReplyDelete