This morning I woke up early, not for any particular reason. The alarm clock was not set, I fell asleep after midnight so a few more hours of sleep would have been good. I just woke and looked out upon the plants growing in pots on my balcony, at the rising of the sun, the …
A Writer’s Diary – America In Distress – Updated For July 4th 2020
For seventy-two years I watched as laws were passed, cities burned, appeasement tokens appointed and Black people killed by the police with no actions taken upon their white assailants. For Seventy-two years of my life Black people have been protesting for equality and being killed for being Black in America. For Seventy-two years I still …
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The Philosopher – Book II – Epilogue
A month later... It is the Coronation for Upashna, the Princess-Wizard of EarthSea and her wedding day to Tao. The Dragon Lord has invited dragons to return to the Other Realm with the promise to never call upon them again to reignite the sun. Humankind must begin to take responsibility for their actions as members …
The Philosopher – Book II – 14 – Reigniting The Sun
The father and son embrace for the first time since Ged cut Tao from his dead mother’s womb to give him life. Everyone watched in absolute silence, standing perfectly still. It was as if there was a private transmission of heart, soul, energy and time going on between the two wizards. All of The Philosopher’s …
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The Philosopher – Book II – 13 – The Assembly
While washing his face, Tao telepathically communicates with Simone. “Where did you get the ring.” “I do not know sire. It appeared when you asked Upashna to be your wife. I received the transmission of its story from the ring itself and passed it to you. I did not have the ring this morning when …
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A Writer’s Diary – Juneteenth – The End Of Slavery? But I Am Still Seen As A Slave
We believe all men are entitled to the blessings of liberty. Yet millions are being deprived of those blessings . because of the color of their skin. The reasons are deeply imbedded in history and tradition and the nature of man. We can understand - without rancor or hatred - how this happened, but it …
The Philosopher – Book II – 12 – The Time Is Near
Upashna woke early the next morning while Tao continued to sleep. Eno also woke to be with his mistress and Simone jumps upon Upashna’s bed and curls up besides Tao. Upashna and Eno leave quietly to visit her parents’ chamber on the other side of the courtyard. “Mother,” asks Upashna. “Did father speak with you …
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The Philosopher – Book II – 11 – The Void Between Dragons And Man
“We had best be getting back love. Look.” Upashna points to the darkening sun. “The darkness grows larger. We will have to time the reigniting of the sun when it is almost completely dark on this side to reduce any possible injuries.” “Any possible injury to whom?” Tao asks. “To the dragons who are selected …
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A Heart Attack
I had just closed the door When it came from all directions A weight upon my chest A pain not previously known Caused by a swelling of my heart. The veins contracting down the back of my neck. My left arm, stiffens in pain. Training or memory I know not which... Aspirin I find the …
The Philosopher – Book II – 10 – Tao And Simone, A Maiden Voyage
Tao riding on the back of his familiar, Simone, in her transfiguration as a dragon and with them the dragon transfiguration of Upashna are flying high above the small hamlet of wizards, Samadhi. “I love you my philosopher Tao. I am pleased you chose to share this life and eternity with me. There is no …
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The Philosopher – Book II – 9 – Tao Sparrowhawk, Philosopher-Wizard of Havnor, Dragon Lord
Many generations ago dragons and humans lived together peacefully in the world until man became greedy and demanded more land and resources from the dragons. The dragons had no use for the land and its resources and asked only for a small parcel of land to raise their young and to call home. They travelled …
The Philosopher – Book II – 8 – The Philosopher Receives His True Name
Upashna immediately left her chambers to visit The Philosopher. Although she had a feeling something was afoot when she studied The Philosopher’s staff and again when Extor mentioned The Philosopher having his father’s eyes she had never imagined the man she loves to be a wizard. After The Philosopher finished sweeping up the broken wine …
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The Philosopher – Book II – 7 The Known, Part Two
The Philosopher drops his wine glass and it shatters on the stone floor. Eno reacts by springing straight up into the air at least two meters before running and jumping out the open window. The wizard Baldwin takes another sip of his wine and moves to the sink counter to fetch another glass for The …
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The Gate Keeper Of Inspiration: Book II Chapter Sixteen — Hermann Hesse
It is a blessing for me to have this time and this place to share so many warm encounters with the artist, musicians, poets, writers, thinkers and all people who inspire others to dream with an unlimited imagination. To think outside the often narrow confines society constructs for us in which to function and live. …
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Indigo Blues
Confidence in daybreak modifies dusk. Emily Elizabeth Dickinson It is that deep dark indigo kinda of blues The kind you will most likely get through if you just keep on digging Easier than trying to climb out of the hole you are already in In the indigo blues every one is the same Like a …
The Philosopher – Book II – 6 The Known, Part One
“Mother,” says Upashna, “l do not care who or what he is. I want to share my life with him and I am concerned the Council of Wizards might attempt to prevent our being together as they tried with you and father. I need your help to prevent that possibility from happening.” “Upashna. Your father …
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A Writer’s Diary – Isolation And The Ironies Of History
One hundred sixty five years ago today the Civil War between the southern states and the northern states in the Divided States of America came to an end. This was the war to end slavery, bring about equality between the races and unite the divided states into one nation of one people. It is estimated …
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The Philosopher – Book II – 5 The Familiar And The Unknown
The Philosopher finally catches up to Eno, while a bit out of breath, he feels much stronger and youthful than his seventy two years normally felt like. “Normal. That is an interesting word to use as I no longer seem to know what normal is anymore,” he says to himself. “Well sir, if I may …
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The Philosopher – Book II – 4 Samadhi – The City Of Wizards
Upashna tilts her wings to a forty-five degree angle and she and The Philosopher glide gently down to a grassy site on the outskirts of the Great Hall. She telepathically tells The Philosopher to climb down her left wing. He grabs their packs along with their staves and does as instructed. Then he steps away …
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A Writer’s Diary – The Dehumanization Of A Human
Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way. Viktor Frankl (March 26, 1905–September 2, 1997) Whenever nations go to war there are two events which must take place immediately. The first is …
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The Philosopher – Book II – 3 The Vortex
Most of the far side of the sun is dark like the darkness on the new moon. There is only a glowing outline where there was once a bright burning sphere. Upashna had heard stories in her youth of this event happening before but had never imagined the possibility in her own lifetime. She steered …
The Philosopher – Book II – 2 Currents Of The Sun
Upashna knew her heart was true but she did have one worry she did not share with The Philosopher nor Kara. The Philosopher was not a wizard. Wizards were not permitted to marry non-wizard humans. The marriage between her father the Wizard Baldwin of Swansea and the Princess of Morocco was only permitted because the …
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A Writer’s Diary – Isolation Day 70 – Is It Worth Dying For?
Today is Day 70 of isolation here in Loja, Ecuador. Like most of the world, Loja is beginning to open up, slowly. Yesterday, our restriction status went from red (strict restrictions) to yellow (relaxed restrictions) and a later curfew from 2:00pm to 9:00pm. Everyone is still required to wear a mask when outside and gloves …
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The Philosopher – Book II – 1 The Princess And The Dragon
“Wow. This is amazing. In my wildest imagination I could not have imagined this. Upashna! You are a dragon! A beautiful dragon,” exclaims The Philosopher. “Please do not be afraid of me my Philosopher. I will bring you no harm. This form is the only way we can ride the currents of the Other Wind …
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A Writer’s Diary – Donald Trump, Serial Killer Extraordinaire – Day 66
On day 66 of isolation as I count the number of friends and family lost to the CoVid-19 virus, my thoughts once again turn political and to the President who failed America. A serial killer is typically a person who murders three or more people, usually in service of abnormal psychological gratification, with the murders …
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The Philosopher – 13 The Other Realm
Extor was surprised by The Philosopher’s willingness to forget all memories of his life but he was not surprised by his attraction to Upashna, the Princess of EarthSea, for she was an intelligent and most comely figure of a woman. “Well then my good man and Princess Upashna you are both permitted to pass through …
The Philosopher – 12 The Other Wind
That night The Philosopher had many dreams. They swirled around his head like a kaleidoscope. Upashna, The Princess of EarthSea. The gatekeepers, Extor, Free and Mingus. The stone walls of the labyrinth, the forest of trees, the desert with four suns. He could no longer remember who he was or what he was searching for. …
A Writer’s Diary – The Ritual In The Routines
There are certain things I do everyday. I get out of bed, I go to the bathroom, I wash my face, I brush my teeth, I make up my bed, I look outside at my mountain, I look at the sky to check the weather, I put water in the microwave, I put leaves or …
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The Philosopher – 11 The Last Gatekeeper
After Upashna and The Philosopher refreshed themselves and dressed in the fresh clothing provided by their host Extor, the third gatekeeper of the labyrinths, they meet each other at the entrance to the tent which Extor had also provided for their use and comfort. “A warm bath in the pool and a set of fresh …
The Philosopher – 10 The Desert Labyrinth
“Philosopher.” “Yes?” “I think I can walk now. You can put me down,” said Upashna. “O’ I had grown use to your being in my arms but if we are to get through this desert labyrinth we will each do better under our own power.” This desert had four suns and it looked as if …
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A Writer’s Diary – Remembering Mom
Every man or woman who is sane, every man or woman who has the feeling of being a person in the world, and for whom the world means something, every happy person, is in infinite debt to a woman. Donald Woods Winnicott (April 07, 1896 – January 25, 1971) This Hollow Emptiness In My Soul …
The Philosopher – 9 The Second Gatekeeper
The Philosopher, who no longer knew himself by that name nor responded to it except when called by Upashna for they met in the realm of magic where he sacrificed his name for passage through the first gate, picked up their two packs placing one across his chest and the other on his back. He …
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A Writer’s Diary – Asking For What We Need
Why do we make asking for what we need so difficult? There should be no shame in asking in the same manner there should be no shame in saying, ”Yes or No.” No one is obligated to give just because they are asked. For whatever reason we make the decision to assist or not is …
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