Monthly Archives: July 2017

I just read Planet of the Apes By Pierre Boulle, Written in 1963 originally as La Planete des Singes And released in ‘73 as the movie with Charlton Heston (Now deceased, gun lobbyist).   I had read it many years ago And returned to the novel After my recent confusion over the War for theContinue reading “Planet”

Today, I met an old lady. To say old Is no exaggeration she is one year off 100.   She was lying in bed, in blue and white hospital gown, crumpled, her skin soft, fingers delicate – shaped into a century-old pattern.   She struggled to hear or perhaps better Understand What I was saying.Continue reading “99 +”

This book was a gift six or seven years ago.   Given to me by someone Insightful and Wise who cared & saw through the tangles of organisational politics.   For, the book is about monks vying with abbots who are battling with bishops in a hierarchical mess within the church.   All taking placeContinue reading “Pillars of the Earth”

We suffer more in the imagination than in reality So, says Seneca.   This was perhaps, a premonition of Mindfulness.   It is the mind which leads to our suffering, Not the world.   The world is our idea, our construct our creation.   We make-up what we feel and see and hear; Slaves toContinue reading “Suffering”

Manoeuvring at speed, through a forest of at times sweaty or overwhelmingly pungent people.   It is the Kiddush.   The serving of ceremonial wine, diluted orange and kichels after The Saturday service, before heading home, Up Church Road, for lunch, which is invariably chicken soup and roast chicken and oftentimes Lokshen Kugel – theContinue reading “Forest”

Moshe Ganz, sweeping the leaves, or ankle-high in flood-water, with Kippah hanging from thinning hair.   Wry smile, Ginger moustache and freckles.   On Fridays and other occasions he would get-out his accordion and play Klezmer.   I remember his expression – ‘yofi’ and punch on the shoulder.   All these, components of leadership, broughtContinue reading “My old headmaster Moshe”

& This is how you do it…   Think of something odd; most unlikely combination – Whether too tiny to perceive or beyond our imaginings.   Something unpredictable chimerial Shimmering; Iridescent; Glowing.   Pixels collapsing down the screen odd gesture whether hand-holding or reassurance by other means   Human mixing with the mechanical, translated intoContinue reading “Safe, comical moment.”