Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Borrowed delight and birthday wishes

As it is now Dec. 8 in West Australia, I can wish my brother Mike a Happy Birthday. And I have just the new acquaintances to help launch his celebrations.

Penelope at Rosa Mira Books has obtained the assistance of Ratty as the whole of her Sales Department. In words and engaging illustrations, we learn that Ratty and his exotic Lily, a Pink Fairy Armadillo, have increased the customer roster and shared adventures.


Images, characters by Penelope/Rosa Mira Books.

The warmth and whimsey of Penelope's inventions have the capacity to charm, as a friend of mine says, the ginger out of a gingersnap. That they help promote her publishing endeavor as it nears its first birthday makes them all the more inspired. Please visit Lily, Ratty and Penelope at her blog, discover her titles and authors, leave comments and bookmark the site for return visits. As we in America are clubbed senseless by uninspired advertising, offering new automobiles as the Christmas gift of greatest choice, an entirely different approach has been minted in the southern hemisphere.

And to my brother, who will find kindred spirits, I know, as each new chapter of Ratty's and Lily's story unfolds, the best of all years. From our Los Angeles childhoods, here is Sheriff John with a portion of his unforgettable birthday song. May you sing and play the day away.

14 comments:

Penelope said...

Marilynn, what fun to find these two swooping and sipping here! And happy birthday, Mike, from Ratty, Lily and Penelope.

Marylinn Kelly said...

Penelope - On Mike's behalf, thank you. I've carried you, and the intrepid, airborne duo in my imagination all day. Long may they swoop and sip. xo

Kass said...

Happy Brotherly Birthday to Mike!

Erin in Morro Bay said...

Talk about a blast from the past! We all grew up with Sheriff John (and "Crusader Rabbit") and I still sing that song to all my friends and family on their birthdays. It's comforting to know I'm not the only one. Happy Birthday Mike.
Erin

Marylinn Kelly said...

Kass - Thank you. I will urge him to come back and find his good wishes. xo

Marylinn Kelly said...

Erin - Thank you. And you are so not the only one. There was a longer video with all the words but they had done a rather frightening animation of Sheriff John's mouth which did not come close to matching the lyrics and I decided no one wanted to see that (shudder). It is still a fine birthday song. xo

Lisa H said...

I love the idea of a "Pink Fairy Armadillo" as opposed to a "that-thing-Scared-the-Crap-Out-of-ME" armadillo!
Happy Happy B-Day to the Wonderful, far-away Mike!
off to check out that link....

Jayne said...

Oh, what a sweet birthday note to your brother! I still have trouble wrapping my head around the fact that those living in OZ are living in the future (??). Now if they could only pass along some secrets...

I'm a big fan of Ratty and his companion, and especially, their creator. Lots of wonderful things happening over at RMB. I'm making my way through Slightly Peculiar Love Stories, and it's a delight. :)

Isabel Doyle said...

Oooh - lovely to see Sir Ratty and her Ladyship sending birthday greetings to WA. Seconded from Exile ... (hope your brother doesn't feel WA IS EXILE?)

best wishes Isabel

Yvette said...

I love Ratty from A WIND IN THE WILLOWS. So on his behalf as well as mine, belated birthday greetings to your brother Mike. :)

December is my daughter's birthday month as well. A good month for birthdays. :)

Marylinn Kelly said...

Lisa - Lily is the essence of armadillo beauty, quite unlike ours here in the Southwest. Thanks for the greeting to Mike. xo

Marylinn Kelly said...

Jayne - Wouldn't that be nice...hints about tomorrow from our Australian counterparts. Ratty and Lily seemed the perfect ambassadors, under Penelope's direction, to lend the right note of cheer. Thanks for mentioning "Slightly Peculiar..." I hope others will go look and order. xo

Marylinn Kelly said...

Isabel - No, WA is home, not exile. He has lived in Australia for more than 2/3 of his life. He has met creatures not unlike Ratty and his lady friend, so I knew they would get along. xo

Marylinn Kelly said...

Yvette - Thank you for the good wishes. Yes, Ratty from "Wind in the Willows" is a particular favorite of mine, too. Have you seen Kerry O'Gorman's felted version? Here is her profile link: http://www.blogger.com/profile/14951445594586971908

Happy Birthday to your daughter; December is a fine month. xo