The most we can do is to write — intelligently, creatively, evocatively — about what it is like living in the world at this time. — Oliver Sacks
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 …
Continue reading "A Writer’s Diary – The Dehumanization Of A Human"
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 …
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 …
Continue reading "The Philosopher – Book II – 2 Currents Of The Sun"
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 …
Continue reading "A Writer’s Diary – Isolation Day 70 – Is It Worth Dying For?"
“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 …
Continue reading "The Philosopher – Book II – 1 The Princess And The Dragon"
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 …
Continue reading "A Writer’s Diary – Donald Trump, Serial Killer Extraordinaire – Day 66"
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 …
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. …
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 …
Continue reading "A Writer’s Diary – The Ritual In The Routines"
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 …
“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 …
Continue reading "The Philosopher – 10 The Desert Labyrinth"
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, 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 …
Continue reading "The Philosopher – 9 The Second Gatekeeper"
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 …
Continue reading "A Writer’s Diary – Asking For What We Need"
The Philosopher and Upashna were through the first gate. They felt a sigh of relief which soon faded when they looked up and realized the stones which formed the walls of the labyrinth before were now a forest of trees. “The unchanging factor when traveling in magical realms is that they are always changing,” said …
Continue reading "The Philosopher – 8 The Journey Continues"
“We must complete the journey through the labyrinth within the next forty eight hours. It is imperative that we arrive in the Other Realm by the third night of the new moon. My father told me to keep due North whenever possible,” said Upashna. “Our only choice right now is to go either west or …
When Upashna awakened the next morning, The Philosopher, his bedroll, pack and staff were not there to be seen. Her heart felt a sudden emptiness in his absence. He was a man she had only met two days ago but she was inspired by his joy, his views of life, his vitality and love for …
It is one of those early rainy mornings that I love as much as the warm sunny mornings which also awaken my heart. I just returned from a rather long stroll through he gardens and to the other side of the lake. Along the way I encountered many of our wonderful guest. I am very …
Continue reading "The Gate Keeper Of Inspiration: Book II Chapter Fifteen — Albert Camus"
Following the abrupt, unexpectedness of a heart attack three and a half years ago I started to put my end of life wishes in order. You know what I’m talking about, those things growing roots in the back of your memory to prevent them from moving forward and getting done. Those things which claim squatter …
Continue reading "A Writer’s Diary – Isolation Day 50 – Everything Is In Its Place"
The sun was just beginning to set below the surrounding mountains when Upashna and The Philosopher reached the stone labyrinth. Above the entrance was a sign written in an ancient language. Upashna said the language was once used by the First Wizards. Her father had taught her to read and write the forgotten script when …
You and I are told increasingly that we have to choose between a left or right, but I would like to suggest that there is no such thing as a left or right. There is only an up or down — up to a man's age-old dream; the ultimate in individual freedom consistent with law …
Continue reading "A Writer’s Diary – The Downward Spiral Of America"
Upashna woke early before the sun and made a hearty breakfast of porridge, fresh warm eggs from her hens and dates from the tree near the cabin. She rolled the leftover bread from the night before in a moist towel for later in the day along with some berries and herbs from the garden. The …
Continue reading "The Philosopher – 4 The Unexpected Journey"
Why is life worth living? Okay, for me, I would say...well, Groucho Marx, to name one thing, and Willie Mays and the second movement of the Jupiter Symphony and Louis Armstrong's recording of 'Potato Head Blues', and um, Swedish movies, naturally. Sentimental Education by Flaubert, Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra, those incredible Apples and Pears by …
Somewhere in the area of twenty two years ago I watched an episode of Star Trek Voyager. I remember being a fan of the first two Star Trek series Original and Next Generation but except for a few memorable episodes, Voyager never settled into my fading TV viewing habits at the time. In the Voyage …
Continue reading "A Writer’s Diary – Isolation Day 42 – When Will It Be Over"
As he lay unconscious on the floor of the small cabin, The Philosopher dreamed he was in a different, far off land, a land of dragons where he was the only human who walked upon the earth. He felt a wave of water upon his face. “Wake up! Wake up.” The distant sounding voice called …
Continue reading "The Philosopher – 3 The Wizard Of SwanSea"
I love my two isolation mates. Good thing as we have shared the last month together and will most likely share at least one more. They have their room, office space and hotel duties and I have my space. We get together for delicious Ecuadorian lunches, language exchange lessons and for the occasional movie. Life …
President Donald Trump has frequently insisted that "nobody" could have seen the coronavirus outbreak coming and that it "came out of nowhere." But Li Wenliang, a 34-year-old ophthalmologist in Wuhan, China who was the first to raise the alarm about a dangerous new virus saw it and notified the authorities on December 30, 2019. Trump’s …
Preparing For The Unexpected I love books. Even though I no longer work at the library, nor is my collection of books as large as it once was, I still love books for the knowledge and information I gain from them. I love them for the journeys and adventures they have taken me on. As …
My beautiful dear friend Rebecca sent me these words from Samuel Ullman in celebration of my seventy two years of living. YOUTH Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind; it is not a matter of rosy cheeks, red lips and supple knees; it is a matter of the will, …
I made it! I completed my seventieth second voyage around the sun. Although there were occasions this last year where I was not sure I would make it? I am here today to commemorate my seventy two years of life and to jump start my seventy third. This of course is all happening from my …
Continue reading "A Writer’s Diary – Isolation – Day 33 – Happy Birthday"
I remember every one I loss to death because I love each of them as an influential part of this life I still live. As far as I know from my limited experiences very few want to die unless they see death as a physical release from the pain they are experiencing in life. So …
The Philosopher placed the tome on his desk and studied the intricate pattern of the raised labyrinth on the cover. Once again he thought his eyes were deceiving him because the pattern of the labyrinth seemed to change when ever he peered too closely. He decided it might be best for him to get some …
Many of us do not understand the concept of exponential growth with regards to how quickly things grow and change. The explanation below, in layman terms, is the best I found so far from Jane E Brody, Personal Health columnist for The New York Times. Dr. Slovic, author of “The Perception of Risk,” explained exponential …
Continue reading "A Writer’s Diary – Exponential Growth – CoVid-19 And Climate Change"
Transformation literally means going beyond your form. — Wayne Dyer
When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man's concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses... We must never forget that art is not a form of propaganda; it is a form of truth. — John F. Kennedy
...If one looks long enough at almost anything, looks with absolute attention at a flower, a stone, the bark of a tree, grass, snow, a cloud, something like revelation takes place. — May Sarton
The truest philosophy, is not to long for anything in particular, but to accept everything as it comes, and find out the reason of it coming. — Marie Corelli
The most we can do is to write — intelligently, creatively, evocatively — about what it is like living in the world at this time. — Oliver Sacks
