Saturday 25 July 2015

Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday...


"This most learned of all cats walks around the tree. As it walks one way, it tells stories. As it walks the other, it sings, 'Happy Birthday.'

     I had several birthday cards recently.  This was the most personal and the best. It was made by youngest brother, Adam - and it's the cat that walks round the tree, from the opening of my book, Ghost Drum. (Only, in the book - and Russian folktale - the cat sings songs in general as it walks the other way, and not specifically, 'Happy Birthday.')

     The cat is painted to resemble my late and still lamented cat,
Biffo the Wonder Cat.
Biffo. And that wheel on the side is not just for decoration, as you will see later if you stick with this blog.


     I've never paid much attention to birthdays - in fact, I often have to be reminded by other people that it is my birthday. This year, even Google tried to remind me, but I missed it until it was pointed out to me.


     (The little banner, brought up by a mouse-hover, says 'Happy Birthday, Susan.' Some will find this delightful, some sinister.)
      But I'd forgotten again when brother Adam and Patti said they wanted 'to meet up for a drink,' I thought that was all there was to it - a drink and a chat in the pub. I was all for it. And there they came - bearing chocolate cake and presents.

     And what presents! Not only the birthday card shown above, but a beautiful 'This Is Your Life' book, put together by Patti. (When it comes to thoughtful, individual presents, Patti is hard to beat.)

     The book has photos of my parents that I didn't have myself.  Patti had gone to other relatives and sought them out.

Mum and Dad at about a third of my age...

      It has photos of me and my siblings at all ages, of my books, of me in schools, of (below) most of my favourite people...


... here shown wearing the traditional ratty blonde Christmas wig of the Prices.

          And at the end of the book, there is a bonus Blott cartoon!

          But before that, this - 



          Sorry about the quality.

      And now - Blott! 



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     Rattle is one of them – a dirty, pipe-smoking, swearing collier wench, who dresses and swaggers like a boy.
     But she’s in love… With the young farmer who works the land on the hill above the mine. Jonathan Turner, a god-fearing, prim and proper Methodist.
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     A historical, supernatural thriller...
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     Susan Price is an award winning writer, with work translated and published in many countries world-wide. 
 Vist her website

10 comments:

Sue Bursztynski said...

What a wonderfully talent and thoughtful family you have! Happy birthday!

madwippitt said...

Oh, happy belated birthday! And what brilliant presents - the ones made with thought and love are always the best and most precious. What a fabulous family you have ... sending virtual chocolate and bubbles!

Susan Price said...

Thank you both - and yes, I am very grateful for my family.
(The virtual chocolate has already gone!)

Penny Dolan said...

Happy birthday - and what a wonderful gathering of gifts and people that sounds! Congratulations and every good wish for the future, both as Honorary Cat and Human.

Joan Lennon said...

Happy Birthday - I think you would make a FABULOUS cat!

Sandra Horn said...

Happy birthday and congratulations!

Katherine Langrish said...

Fabulous card for a fabulous writer! Happy Birthday Sue!

Sue Purkiss said...

Late happy birthday - what a gorgeous present and card!

Anonymous said...

You deserve a little cake and congratulations on your special day Sue. Thank you for posting us :) x

Jenny Alexander said...

Wonderful! You're such a creative lot.