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Hi, Rusty!
My goodness, that is absolutely terrible, if true, that he should return adopted children to the orphanage on the dissolution of one of his marriages.
And I think it must be so , because I found this following excerpt in 'The Independent' newspaper........
Printed on Friday, October 17th 1997....... and found in James Michener's Obituary.........

" He and his second wife adopted two sons, but the boys were returned to an orphanage when the marriage ended"

You were quite correct, Rusty, in thinking that you had read this somewhere.

The only further reference I can find concerning Mr M and children is one referring to him and his third wife, saying that they housed and cared for many homeless children.
But this is no way makes up for abandoning his own adopted boys.
What a despicable thing to do........and how does that reflect on his - and that of his second wife's - character?
I don't like the man!

Hello, Elle,
Well done on finding the article.
I am not sure where I read it.
I do find it repugnant, though.
I wonder how long they had the children for?
Could there have been reasons for it, think you?
State Laws on adoption and then divorcing?
I am only wildly guessing, but it was a dreadful thing to do to two children.
I went off the man too, when I read that, Elle.
And we would not be the only ones!

Hi, Rusty!
I very much doubt that there were any rules about divorcing?
When you adopt, the child becomes "yours" legally.
Under whatever circumstances might arise.
I think Mr M and his 'soon to be ex' wife just behaved in an inhuman way.
Maybe, just maybe, there were mitigating circumstances that we don't know about........but I doubt it.
The way it was put, they just didn't want the children any more once their marriage was over.
I shall finish the autobiogrpahy - only a hundred or so pages to go...but my dislike of James Michener is rising.......

Hello, Elle,
But remember they lived in America.
Different laws there, and from state to state, too.
It still seems inhuman to me though, that people could do such a thing.
Especially Michener, who was an orphan himself, he says.
But, he would come up with a plausible reason for doing it.
Remember, he is a story teller.
I wonder what became of the children?
Anyway, I missed another favourite on SkyArts.
A programme about the song "Coat of Many Colours" and Dolly Parton.
I like both!
Did you watch the "Navy Blue Knickers" song on YouTube?

Good morning, Rusty!
We have a glorious day!
It is lovely out - blue sky, sunshine and mild (ish)!
I hope you have the same?
Yes, I have listened to the children singing Navy -Blue Knickers!
"A must -have for those with impeccable taste,
Glamorous and made to last!"
also
"And let's hear it for NBK
loved by every mademoiselle!"
Ummmm!
Funnily enough, I was listening to Dolly P singing "My coat of many colours (that my mother made for me)" only the other day!
Can you catch up with the programme on YouTube?
Right....coffee and the Everyman!

Good morning, Elle!
Fine day here, too!
Glad you watched "NBK"!
i have a question for you.
What did the choirmistress' "shoulder tapping" represent?
Right hand tapping right shoulder?
I'm puzzled!
There are many clips of Dolly singing "Coats" on YouTube.
There is one version of it by Shania Twain, and I think it is poor.
She is not a patch on Dolly, singing it.
Dolly had six brothers and five sisters!
I did the Sunday Times xword on line.
Not as challenging as the weekday ones, for me.

Hi, Rusty!
I must admit I didn't notice the choir mistress tapping her shoulder on my first viewing......
I had to watch it again!
And the answer is....I don't know!
I did wonder if it was a sign for only part of the choir to participate, but couldn't correlate that.
I have watched the video about Harper Lee........
It was only very short? that is, if I have looked at the right thing?
I was expecting an in-depth discussion about the morality in question!
I finished the Everyman earlier, and am now decorating the newly resurrected Christmas tree!
Hopefully, it will remain erect this time around......
Have you any plans for the day?
European Cross Country Championships this afternoon.
Is your man from Scotland taking part?
I cannot remember his name? (he has a brother Derek who also runs)
Hawkins?

Hello, Elle!
Callum Hawkins.
I don't know who is running.
Is it live?
I have skiing to watch.
The choir mistress is a puzzle with her "tapping"!
Wonder how to find out?
I thought the Harper Lee programme lasted more than an hour?
I just watched an excellent interview on Bloomberg TV, of Warren Buffett, a hero of mine.
No crossword for me until tomorrow!

Hi, Rusty!
Callum Hawkins! that's it! Thank you!
Well, the race is today...and the transmission on BBC2 is at 3.50, but whether that will actually be "live" , I don't know?
I have set the recorder in case we are not back from our walk (going out about 1.30pm) - but hopefully we shall be - otherwise we'll be out in the dark!
The Christmas tree is all done!
It does look lovely - my efforts were to good purpose!
I am listening to Katie Melua!
You really should seek her out on YouTube - I shall be interested to see if you like her?
She is a bit like "Marmite" - people either love her or hate her!
She write many of her own songs.
I think she's great!

Good evening, Elle!
I listened to Katie.
She is good, not quite Emmylou, but very good, I thought!
i listened to "9 Million Bicycles".
A good run by Callum!
I have never had Marmite.
Is it like Bovril? I like Bovril.
It is still mild here.