In July this year a new bright spot was discovered on Venus. That is a beautiful metaphor.
It's summer time and the livin' is easier.
I feel like a hummingbird who has been living on Greenland until now...I wish to drink the nectar of summer and swim in ponds and smell the scents all around me of water, grass, flowers, sea breeze, sand, wet moss, pine...fireflies on my path at night.
Alegria!
Saturday, 1 August 2009
Thursday, 30 July 2009
Happy Birthday Noah!
Today is the birthday of my son Noah.
We are having lunch together at his fave Hexham restaurant Bouchon. Then with tea time at his I shall give the gifts I will bring and other things of interest: a newspaper article I cut out on Jasper Joffe an artist "auctioning his life away", a jar of grass seed to patch his lawn-a game of croquet anyone?, my gardening book so that we can identify what disease one of his tomato plants has, a Betjeman LP he gave on loan and I want the reggae cd set back!
These are the minutiae, the details of exchange and yet the larger issue is how do you actually celebrate a birthday. And why?
Pretty much everyone I know has a different relationship to their birthday and how they wish to deal with it.
For me when I turned 50 I made it an opportunity to spend some time with the people I love. Friends who were spread out all over the world and bringing them together to pamper them and enable them to meet and enjoy eachothers company too. It was a massive weekend party/event with outings and dinners, parties, live music, fantastic food, and fun.
I felt good about it and since none of us really know how long we are around for it seemed like a perfect time to do it.
And I found the right place nearby to where I live, a large house with grounds, an outdoor jacuzzi, views and walks, plenty of space...
Would I do it again? I will think of something different if I celebrate again.
Today is Noah's birthday and I am looking forward to spending the day with him.
We are having lunch together at his fave Hexham restaurant Bouchon. Then with tea time at his I shall give the gifts I will bring and other things of interest: a newspaper article I cut out on Jasper Joffe an artist "auctioning his life away", a jar of grass seed to patch his lawn-a game of croquet anyone?, my gardening book so that we can identify what disease one of his tomato plants has, a Betjeman LP he gave on loan and I want the reggae cd set back!
These are the minutiae, the details of exchange and yet the larger issue is how do you actually celebrate a birthday. And why?
Pretty much everyone I know has a different relationship to their birthday and how they wish to deal with it.
For me when I turned 50 I made it an opportunity to spend some time with the people I love. Friends who were spread out all over the world and bringing them together to pamper them and enable them to meet and enjoy eachothers company too. It was a massive weekend party/event with outings and dinners, parties, live music, fantastic food, and fun.
I felt good about it and since none of us really know how long we are around for it seemed like a perfect time to do it.
And I found the right place nearby to where I live, a large house with grounds, an outdoor jacuzzi, views and walks, plenty of space...
Would I do it again? I will think of something different if I celebrate again.
Today is Noah's birthday and I am looking forward to spending the day with him.
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Ledbury Poetry Festival Rocks
Every July the Ledbury Poetry Festival takes place in this charming ancient market town in the Malvern Hills.
This year I would say it was the best ever! Congratulations to Chloe Garner and her excellent team!
Highlights for me were the tennis finals between the Williams Sisters and Roger Federer and the other one. Just kidding.
But just barely, that weekend was riveting and I saw some of the best tennis since last years final between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. It seems that during the festival Wimbledon is wrapping up and I must take time out for that!
Alice Oswald, Brian Catling, Ian Sinclair, Chase Twichell, Paul Farley, Ben Okri, Benjamin Zephaniah, Fred D'Aguiar, August Kleinzahler and John Hartley Williams were some of the poets I saw whilst there this year. Great variety and span.
Chase Twichell was a highlight for me. She is a commanding reader of insightful and intense poetry. She is very real and I was transfixed. August Kleinzahler is unique as a performer of his poetry. He is riveting.
I like this festival very much not only for its diverse programme but also for its friendly spirit and warm welcome.
There is a large room made availbale to those at the festival to sit down, read papers, relax with a hot beverage, talk to other attendees, and to meet. There are always snacks and drinks available and very friendly and helpful volunteers at all times!
I love that aspect and makes it very special in the world of festivals.
We have made good friends over the past couple of years that we have been going.
A visit to Great Malvern and its many second-hand bookshops yielded some finds. The Malvern Hills are lovely and it does not matter if it rains which it did! Had hot tea at Elgars tea room the Blue Bird! How about that?
If you are ever in that part of the country in the beginning to middle of July do consider visiting this poetry festival I highly recommend it.
I should also add the county is Herefordshire and the nearest large town is in fact Hereford.
This year I would say it was the best ever! Congratulations to Chloe Garner and her excellent team!
Highlights for me were the tennis finals between the Williams Sisters and Roger Federer and the other one. Just kidding.
But just barely, that weekend was riveting and I saw some of the best tennis since last years final between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. It seems that during the festival Wimbledon is wrapping up and I must take time out for that!
Alice Oswald, Brian Catling, Ian Sinclair, Chase Twichell, Paul Farley, Ben Okri, Benjamin Zephaniah, Fred D'Aguiar, August Kleinzahler and John Hartley Williams were some of the poets I saw whilst there this year. Great variety and span.
Chase Twichell was a highlight for me. She is a commanding reader of insightful and intense poetry. She is very real and I was transfixed. August Kleinzahler is unique as a performer of his poetry. He is riveting.
I like this festival very much not only for its diverse programme but also for its friendly spirit and warm welcome.
There is a large room made availbale to those at the festival to sit down, read papers, relax with a hot beverage, talk to other attendees, and to meet. There are always snacks and drinks available and very friendly and helpful volunteers at all times!
I love that aspect and makes it very special in the world of festivals.
We have made good friends over the past couple of years that we have been going.
A visit to Great Malvern and its many second-hand bookshops yielded some finds. The Malvern Hills are lovely and it does not matter if it rains which it did! Had hot tea at Elgars tea room the Blue Bird! How about that?
If you are ever in that part of the country in the beginning to middle of July do consider visiting this poetry festival I highly recommend it.
I should also add the county is Herefordshire and the nearest large town is in fact Hereford.
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
The List
Having been away literally and not from DJANG for so long, much has happened, and if I do not list them they will escape me...
Ledbury Poetry Festival
Presenting Life is IMMENSE visiting Samuel Menashe
The Wimbledon Tennis finals
Full Moon
Malvern Hills and Great Malvern
Visit to Philip Gross in South Glamorgan, Wales
Banksy at Bristol City Art Gallery and Museum
Compton Verney Surrealist exhibition Subversive Spaces
A family visit from Sweden
London and to the Zoo for Kenneth Martins mobile
Pauls Birthday at the Engineer
Ledbury Poetry Festival
Presenting Life is IMMENSE visiting Samuel Menashe
The Wimbledon Tennis finals
Full Moon
Malvern Hills and Great Malvern
Visit to Philip Gross in South Glamorgan, Wales
Banksy at Bristol City Art Gallery and Museum
Compton Verney Surrealist exhibition Subversive Spaces
A family visit from Sweden
London and to the Zoo for Kenneth Martins mobile
Pauls Birthday at the Engineer
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