Eskişehir, Türkiye Saturday 23 March 2024 In his solitary bed in his solitary room Tom wakes to the sound of singing from the radio station SWR 3 (ess vay r drei) from the radio alarm beside his head. Pink Floyd, “Hey You“, from the soundtrack of The Wall: “Hey you, out there in the coldGetting… Continue reading The Donkey Trail 2: Hey You
Category: Uncategorized
Dear Diary
Eskişehir, Türkiye Saturday 23 March 2024 “Inspiration does exist, but it has to find you working.“ (Pablo Picasso) Above: Spanish artist Pablo Picasso (1881 – 1973) “I had a poem in my head last night, flashing as only those unformed midnight poems can. It was all made up of unexpected burning words. I knew even… Continue reading Dear Diary
Complete Works
Eskişehir, Türkiye Friday 22 March 2024 “Advice is like snow. The softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon and the deeper it sinks into the mind.” (“Confessions of an Inquirer“, Samuel Taylor Coleridge) Perhaps Allah is reading my blogposts? I mentioned abandoning my winter coat for sweaters of spring, but this morning has proven… Continue reading Complete Works
Egghead
Eskişehir, Türkiye Thursday 21 March 2024 “You are an incomparable genius.” (Russian Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna to Peter Carl Fabergé, on receiving her annual egg, 1914) There is a long history of decorated eggs in Russia and pre-Fabergé porcelain eggs had been popular for many years. The first Fabergé egg was made for Tsar Alexander… Continue reading Egghead
The Donkey Trail 1: Dream
He draws breath and pauses on the path with deliberate precision. The ground is dry leaves with patches of deep snow beneath the boughs of mighty oaks. The forest is a maze of shadows. Branches reach out like spikes to stab the unwary. Cold wind whips through the trees, cutting and slicing into his face.… Continue reading The Donkey Trail 1: Dream
The coldest night of the year
Eskişehir, Türkiye Thursday 21 March 2024 An emotional evening yesterday. A student, proficient in his Encounter (the name of my school’s oral examination of a Unit), checks his messages on his phone as I search for a time slot wherein I can schedule the engineer’s next appointment.. He begins to cry as he learns that… Continue reading The coldest night of the year
Daily legacy
Eskişehir, Türkiye Wednesday 20 March 2024 But what is to become of all my diaries and online posts? If I died, what would people make of them? Would they be inclined to simply burn the paper and delete the electronic? Could they merit publication? Make a book as the body of work is destroyed? If… Continue reading Daily legacy
A new start
Eskişehir, Eskişehir Province, Türkiye Tuesday 19 March 2024 The itch from which I have suffered for years (but with interruptions) has recently become unbearable and for the last few months, has kept me from having any peace of mind, until I have begun once again recording my thoughts and feelings. Nothing appears on the outside.… Continue reading A new start
Canada Slim and the Magical Cactus
Landschlacht, Switzerland, Friday 10 April 2020 (Lockdown Day #24) At present, we live in interesting times, as the Chinese curse intended. Stores are shuttered. Church services suspended. My sources of employment closed. My movements outside of the apartment discouraged and travels outside the country denied. For three weeks this has been normal life across this… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Magical Cactus
Canada Slim and the Swedish Pinot
Landschlacht, Switzerland, 20 April 2019 The Norwegians find them insufferably puffed up. The Danes consider them to be party poopers. The Brits see them as sexy but cold. The Americans think they are Swiss! Above: Flag of Sweden Author Sven Linquist summed it up thus: The Swedes look at the world through a… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Swedish Pinot