Though not a Christian - thoughts of you and Palestinians (and backgrounded by the story of the infant Jesus and parents) as those seeking refuge from the Herods of our times spring to mind. Something I read a decade or more ago explained that the Egypt to which the Baby Jesus was taken was not the Egypt we think of to-day - rather ALSO including the region we now know as Turkey. And how important that 21st century Erdogan has at last raised his voice against the Zionists. South Africa and the case before the ICJ - so important since it has evolved out of an apartheid state previously supported by the Zionists - it has all the "experience" and authority to identify the Zionists for what they are - a colonialist/settler ethnic-cleansing land-stealing murdering regime. On the other points you outline, Patrick: the importance of Birdsong (I'm thinking a novel of that title by (1993 war novel) English writer Sebastian Faulks - but also, of course, of the tweets and chirps and trills and notes from our feathered companions which do lift the heart and the spirits. And then - the kindness of friends - in your own hour of need (your sudden housing crisis). A friend - a writer friend - one of my oldest students - in Sydney - has just come to such a moment herself - her partner died a year ago - he'd have sorted the matter - but she - overwhelmed with grief in this past year - has at last sought help from friends who have rallied around...And Sydney (Australia, really) in an economically manipulated way and lack of public housing - no fixed mortgage rates - they rise with interest rate rises and rents rise accordingly to fill the pockets of the already wealthy enough class - make it virtually impossible for those on pensions/social welfare - with children/other dependents - to find accommodation - and pay utilities and eat properly. In Australia - one of the richest countries on earth. We are thinking of you Patrick and M - and hoping that a good long term solution is quickly found for you. And grieving for John Pilger - for all Palestinians - for all others being menaced by the US and threats of being attacked. A post earlier to-day seems to be suggesting that here in the state of NSW legislation is to be introduced to make it unlawful to support the Palestinians and to criticise or oppose the murdering Zionists of Israel - the Zionist lobby here not unlike Epstein/Mossad - threatening, blackmailing our politicians into silence (that's how I see it)! I apologise for bringing this away from joy and friends and birdsong - all that is positive we do need to keep hold of - as the human thing - even in the midst of a kind of holocaust madness wrought by some of the very people who themselves suffered and survived or whose family members suffered and lost their lives in back in the 1930s/1940s.
A simple open letter to joebiden I wrote this day. I pray too, with the multitudes, for peace. "Amos and Boris" by William Steig inspired the first page. For big & little helpers, hearts in place, we must write, report, show up. Share. In solidarity. Thanks, Patrick Lawrence. And Peace for all.
6. Shape the psyche and consciousness by listening to beautiful, harmonious music into the balanced, happy, well-being and good, because music is a huge, positive power when it touches man in the heart through its harmony, whereby he finds balance, peace, love and peace.
These thoughts bring to mind these words of Wendell Berry....
Whatever is foreseen in joy
Must be lived out from day to day.
Vision held open in the dark
By our ten thousand days of work.
Harvest will fill the barn; for that
The hand must ache, the face must sweat.
And yet no leaf or grain is filled
By work of ours; the field is tilled
And left to grace. That we may reap,
Great work is done while we’re asleep.
When we work well, a Sabbath mood
Rests on our day, and finds it good.
Though not a Christian - thoughts of you and Palestinians (and backgrounded by the story of the infant Jesus and parents) as those seeking refuge from the Herods of our times spring to mind. Something I read a decade or more ago explained that the Egypt to which the Baby Jesus was taken was not the Egypt we think of to-day - rather ALSO including the region we now know as Turkey. And how important that 21st century Erdogan has at last raised his voice against the Zionists. South Africa and the case before the ICJ - so important since it has evolved out of an apartheid state previously supported by the Zionists - it has all the "experience" and authority to identify the Zionists for what they are - a colonialist/settler ethnic-cleansing land-stealing murdering regime. On the other points you outline, Patrick: the importance of Birdsong (I'm thinking a novel of that title by (1993 war novel) English writer Sebastian Faulks - but also, of course, of the tweets and chirps and trills and notes from our feathered companions which do lift the heart and the spirits. And then - the kindness of friends - in your own hour of need (your sudden housing crisis). A friend - a writer friend - one of my oldest students - in Sydney - has just come to such a moment herself - her partner died a year ago - he'd have sorted the matter - but she - overwhelmed with grief in this past year - has at last sought help from friends who have rallied around...And Sydney (Australia, really) in an economically manipulated way and lack of public housing - no fixed mortgage rates - they rise with interest rate rises and rents rise accordingly to fill the pockets of the already wealthy enough class - make it virtually impossible for those on pensions/social welfare - with children/other dependents - to find accommodation - and pay utilities and eat properly. In Australia - one of the richest countries on earth. We are thinking of you Patrick and M - and hoping that a good long term solution is quickly found for you. And grieving for John Pilger - for all Palestinians - for all others being menaced by the US and threats of being attacked. A post earlier to-day seems to be suggesting that here in the state of NSW legislation is to be introduced to make it unlawful to support the Palestinians and to criticise or oppose the murdering Zionists of Israel - the Zionist lobby here not unlike Epstein/Mossad - threatening, blackmailing our politicians into silence (that's how I see it)! I apologise for bringing this away from joy and friends and birdsong - all that is positive we do need to keep hold of - as the human thing - even in the midst of a kind of holocaust madness wrought by some of the very people who themselves suffered and survived or whose family members suffered and lost their lives in back in the 1930s/1940s.
I would like to share this in concert and support of your moving Birdsong and Laughter. https://elizabethwainwright.substack.com/p/the-darkling-thrush
How deeply beautiful these sentiments and the words of Thomas Hardy!
Lovely thoughts...and true.
A simple open letter to joebiden I wrote this day. I pray too, with the multitudes, for peace. "Amos and Boris" by William Steig inspired the first page. For big & little helpers, hearts in place, we must write, report, show up. Share. In solidarity. Thanks, Patrick Lawrence. And Peace for all.
Billy Meier:
6. Shape the psyche and consciousness by listening to beautiful, harmonious music into the balanced, happy, well-being and good, because music is a huge, positive power when it touches man in the heart through its harmony, whereby he finds balance, peace, love and peace.
https://www.figu.org/ch/