June 19, 2019
Dearold Sam, we are two old dogs together now….
Our dear old Sam has just gone out into the damp garden after dozing away on my lap for half an hour while I talked to him about our past adventures by the river side, chasing flying swans and playing fighting games in the kitchen. We are both old dogs now, but both still slowly make it up to the river a few times in the week. It is rather poignant seeing him grow old at the same time as me. He has caught up now, and in dog years he is older than me. I thank the Gods for the time we have, and will, spend together, and I treasure every moment of our close and magical friendship X
Terstan NGS Garden is Open for Charity Sunday afternoon June 23rd
It is warm and humid this morning and thunder is threatened. The whole garden gives off a variety of herbal and floral scent, including the white flowered Philadelphus shrub beside the small round pond – intoxicating! We open again for the National Gardens Scheme on Sunday afternoon, and the forecast is for a dry day, just right for garden visiting. Come along and have some tea and cake, listen to live music and buy some interesting plants – all proceeds to NGS supported Care and Nursing Charities. #NationalGardensScheme
June 17, 2019
Sister Moon
Window open wide in the middle of a short midsummer night, I stood before our Sister Moon – full, and radiating a gentle energy, a healing balm. I basked in her beauty and gave thanks for her presence – she reminded me that she was there long before I arrived on this Apparent World, and assured me that she will still be shining and reigning serenely long after my own stay here has ended.
June 12, 2019
Goddess Terstana
Sam is pretty fit for an old un – losing a bit of weight has helped his old joints. His pal is not too bad either, apart from creaky joints and a rusted out knee. Heartened by my BP today – 114 systolic and 63 diastolic – glad I started BP meds a few years back, they have been very effective, though jus could be my healthy lifestyle, despite all the cream and cheese! Sam and I went down to the Bridge today where I performed a Peace and Gratitude Ritual, by the flowing river and Goddess Terstana- then the rain started, we still need it, but hopefully warmer and drier by the weekend. Blessings to all existences – past , present and to come đź’Ąđź’Ąđź’Ą
The Yellow Devil in the East and the Orange Devil in the West….”he who sups with the Devil should use a long spoon”
There is much about China that I love – the people, Buddhist philosophy and Dim Sum dumplings. But China has a Totalitarian Government. The Judiciary and Business is controlled by the elite, Communist Party, communist in name only, but in fact a privileged and rich ruling class.
The students in Hong Kong are indeed right not to trust mainland Chinese justice where there is no concept of an independent fair trial. Likewise business and our own Government should be wary of working with the Chinese firm Huawei – it is difficult to see how this company could be truly independent of the Chinese Communist Party machine, with tentacles everywhere.
China is powerful economically and in the business world, but there is something that our own government must remember. “He who sups with the Devil should use a long spoon”. And to make things more complicated this also applies to the Devil in the West – the Trump Government in the USA. I am reminded of the Chinese curse “May you live in interesting times…”
June 11, 2019
Message from a psychopathic robot….
I have now had a few messages from a robot purporting to be BT and threatening to disconnect my Broadband because my privacy has been compromised by persons nearby. I can apparently stop this by pressing 1 and talking to a BT technician or 2 to leave the internet. This sinister and impersonal message is very much 1984 in style, something from the Ministry of Truth…Many will have been taken in by this scam, which must be lucrative to some psychopaths in this sick planet. You can’t be angry with a robot, but I did consider sending a large shock back down the line to disintegrate it – sadly the technology, as they say, is not yet there…
June 10, 2019
Rory Stewart – honest, courteous, kind and clever
I have just listened to Tory PM candidate, Rory Stewart, answering questions from the public on Radio Four. He was courteous, direct, honest and understanding, despite often rude or intolerant questioning. His experience as a Diplomat have clearly been invaluable to him. A clever, educated man who knows how to compromise without giving in. I am not a Tory, but I hope he wins the contest for our next PM – goodness, common sense, experience and a sharp intelligence are just what is needed at the moment, and actually always…..
June 8, 2019
The Really Healthy Breakfast….
There is much talk about the healthy breakfast these days, low sugar, lots of fibre, no additives etc. etc. – all very worthy but boring. In fact modern food gurus are now saying we don’t even need to eat breakfast at all…spoil sports! But what about the feel good factor? Like the French, I have been enjoying the occasional croissant with butter and jam, washed down by hot chocolate for petit dĂ©jeuner. Nothing better for a feeling of pure pleasure, leaving me with a spirit of “Bonhomie”. That, I think, is really good for my health and relationships….
June 7, 2019
Life cycles, the resilience of Nature
The rain patters outside the open window, and the Songbirds sing fit to burst – the Cuckoo keeps up his repetitive onslaught – in June he is meant to change his tune but no sign yet, before flying away in July. Nature is resilient, the Moon and Sun return in their cycles, as does the Cuckoo, and we go through our cycles too – Birth, Death, Rebirth…Blessings to the Ancestors and those still to come đź’Ąđź’Ąđź’Ą
June 6, 2019
It is hard for Mr Badger at Midsummer….
On these short nights and long days it is easy to forget Mr Badger, and I guess in these enlightened times, Mrs, Miss and Ms Badger too. The Badgers like to come out at night, when they often have the place largely to themselves. Recently I have heard their strange noises outside, sometimes quite spooky. Usually it’s a gruff cough or a growl. But sometimes it’s a whistling noise, or a scream fit only for the Brides of Count Dracula himself…(hope that’s not a sexist comment, but if it is I shall hear from the Thought Police, no doubt). Short nights for Badgers must be like long nights at midwinter for us, but perhaps they have parties – yes they do, but mostly around Halloween when they get drunk on fermented apples – now those screams and growls are really scary! Sleep well folks, and have another fun night Badgers….
