For many happy years I would sign emails to my children "LOL Mum". Hugh (number two) then told me that for his generation LOL was not Lots of Love but laughing out loud.
I am staying with my mother for a few days. Sadly she is at a time in her life when there are more downs than ups. Fortunately, but even more sadly, she is also at a time when the downs are quickly forgotten. Just occasionally the ups are remembered.
This morning I took a walk across St James' Park just to get a change of scene and forget things for a while. It was a beautiful day and it did me a lot of good. I was aiming for the Chris Beetles Gallery in Ryder Street to see his Illustrators' Exhibition. It was definitely a good decision and cheered me up enormously.
I took my time wandering around a deceptively large gallery. Many old "friends" were there - Osbert Lancaster, Giles (wonderful Giles), Ronald Searle, Quentin Blake and, of course, Matt. I was offered a cup of coffee (delicious) and I asked to see more Matt cartoons.
Hidden in a drawer - three drawers actually - were dozens of Matt cartoons. For thirty minutes I went through them, laughing, giggling, remembering and just enjoying. How he does it I don't know. He should come with a government health warning: More than six Matt cartoons per day may cause sudden death from excess laughing. A good way to go I think.