Many years ago I was discussing with a painter the longevity of paintings. It was at the same time I was being introduced to the Book Arts and learning how the Book of Kells was dug out of a bog in Ireland and its illuminations still resound throughout Europe after a thousand years. And we…
Mirrors
They have always been fascinating, haven’t they? I wonder what the first people to have silver backed glass and not bronze, copper and water to look at themselves upon really thought? Maybe a few screams? Must have been interesting to know they could now dress up and paint on their own makeup. I was given…
Love In Old Age
Your eyes speak of my youth and my hand holds Yours with that ease of emotion only Years can grow; suppleness has changed to folds, Wrinkles crease our nakedness, laughingly The young would fun – what do they know? Your breasts Suckled our children (and me once or twice), And now our skins are thin,…
Lose Yourself
I have heard people say the more you lose yourself the more you find out who you really are. Since it is impossible to actually lose oneself, because whatever process one goes through to do so one is always one, I am guessing what they really mean is disconnect yourself from the life you have…
Life’s Tag Lines
Over at linked-in they seem to regularly want people to come up with an all embracing, pithy line to help them garner clients. I am so glad I don’t have to try this but I share today the funny side of my family. My aunts and uncles like all aunts and uncles, have certain characteristics…
The Left And Right Hand
America, I am told, is in the middle of her census. It is the business of government to know what its citizens need, their demographic, so it can apportion funding to all the myriad things society needs funded. The information, though, can be used to check up on citizens, uncover frauds, discover frauds and generally…
Distance
It is a funny thing about distance. Sometimes we feel that those we love or know are far away because they are in the next town, or the big city or another country. In older days when horses were the only form of speedy travel to be in another county was days away. Now to…
Train Journeys
The first I recall I was 9 on my way home from school in my uniform in those old six seater carriages with white doilies on the head rests. I wanted a cup of tea and when the steward opened the door and announced refreshments were now available this little 9 year old piped up,…
Moving With The Seasons
Birds migrate for warmth and breeding. Vast herds cross snow, ice and rivers across whole continents in time with seasons. Human beings have inhabited the whole Earth but we are not naturally a migratory species. We can make almost any place an all-year-round home. Yet in the past there have been huge tribal migrations as…
Will It Save The World If I Sneeze?
Of course the world needs saving. It has needed saving since forever. Long before whalers would slaughter gentle animals like the giant turtle and sea lion without cease. Before Cicero was appalled at the slaughter of fifty elephants in one games in the Roman Arena, or Seneca had to pretend not to prefer being a…