Dusty Memories

Years and years ago, I was a boarder in an old girls boarding house. Those years inspired the collage above. It is hard to explain, but I felt all disjointed and out of place in the establishment. Others I knew, adapted well or even quite liked it.

Just Couldn't Resist II

Just Couldn't Resist

Ain't That The Truth? (II)

I've seen this drawing a few times in the last months and every time I see it, I can't help to think, "Ain't that the truth?" At risk of repeating myself... do enjoy.

Spent the weekend harassed by the noise (pollution) of hundred and hundred of Harley-Davidsons driving by slowly and continuously under our living room windows. Visually, it was a hoot to go out our door and see all the rockers and bikers. But, the noise was unstoppable and unsupportable. I really must be getting old.

Converting to Short Stories

One of the weekly podcasts that I listen to with great pleasure is Writers & Company from the CBC Radio. It is a pleasure to listen to Eleanor Wachtel speak with writers about their work. She does it in such a methodical and informative manner that the authors are tantalized into speaking forthrightly within the safe net of her questioning.

Overall, writers seem a tricky bunch. They can be prickly (interview with Doris Lessing), or reclusive (interview with J. M. Coetzee), but they can also charm the pants off of you. Which is what happened in the Writers & Company: Irish Panel (May 16, 2010) program. In this program Roddy Doyle, Claire Keegan and Kevin Barry speak with wit and magnificence about the art of writing short stories.

Yesterday, I listened to the program for the third time: discovering new forms of nuance, humour and insight in the art of short stories. The interview is a veritable Babette’s Feast (1 & 2) to convert us all to this genre of literature.

Quote of the Day

Jason Clay of WWF asked a Sudanese refugee why the world didn't help in Darfur Conflict and he responded,

"You can't wake someone pretending they are asleep."

How true and truly sad this is.

Thunder Storms

One last of my window collages.

A dear friend of mine who moved to Germany nearly two years ago from Cameroon puzzles at our preoccupation with the weather. And, I usually try not to mention the weather too much. But, today there is a torrential storm. No nice patter of drops, just the swoosh and battering of the rain falling down.

I love the suspense before a storm breaks, especially, after this summer of heat and drought.

Do go and listen/read Caroline Caddy’s poem, Thunder. It so eloquently describes the “prowling thunder”,

"Sometimes very early a spatter of rain wets the ground.
  Sometimes a patch of blue sleight-of-hands a few clear drops
  but always the cough and growl
                    at the back of the trees
                        like a pet gone wild
  exploring the place between having and getting
                    and won’t come closer."

Ain't That The Truth?

 Source: http://www.thinkmogul.com/

Yes, I know, very cynical... but it still caught my attention.

Chilled Out

We had the great pleasure of visiting the Natural Historical Museum in Karlsruhe the other day. The Vivium (fish and reptiles) section kept us fascinated and smiling with wonder for over an hour. I do not have the ablility to describe in detail how beautiful and quirky nature is when it comes to their design of sea creatures. The diverstiy of colours, shapes, and sizes is beyond comprehension.

I've never seen such remarkably coreographed aquariums and terrariums.They were the sort of sea landscapes that VanGogh would have painted if he knew of them.

While most of the fish seemed very occupied and busily doing what fish do, the reptiles were childed out. I stood and starred back at a iguana for over two minutes before it deemed necessary to blink. A lesson in Zen. 

Fruit Salad for 100 Dollars

We've arrived yesterday to Karlsruhe, where our son will be attending university come this fall. Couldn't have picked a better day to arrive at the city he will be living in for the next few years. The sky was blue, the temperatures mild, and the general feeling of lightness to our hearts.

When we came to the hotel where we had made our (online) reservation, the first thing we saw was a sign at the side of their door saying,

"Fruit Salad for 100 Dollar*"

All three of us took a double take! Then we looked at the footnote in small print,

"Price includes overnight accomondations for 3 persons and breakfast buffet with as much fruit salad as your hearts desire."

Hope you are all having as much fun as we are.

What a delightful marketing scheme; we liked the place even before we entered the door just because the owners possessed a good sense of humour.