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
One of the activities I engage in everyday when possible is a walk along the Tomebamba River near my home in Cuenca, Ecuador. During this walking meditation my mind wonders along with that of the river. I love the sound of water. When the river is high, it blocks out the sounds of the city …
Continue reading "Rollo Del Tomebamba XXV — Lessons From The River"
Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end. Seneca (c. 4 BC – AD 65) Lessons From The Mountain 1. Remain solid and steadfast. A pillar for all to witness. 2. You are here because the earth exploded with life. You are life’s embodiment. 3. Be still and let the world come to you. …
The Hour Of Man I wrote down the quotation below in my composition pad some years back before the time of personal computers, and although my research on the man who made the statement, Harold Maine, did not yield any results, I still find his words relevant today. Please see note below.* I want to …
Tao Writer (April 17, 1948 -) **For my friend Bob McGuinn** Be careful of growing old, he tells me.It happens so suddenly over the years.One day you are young, in love, full of energythe next day you are old, loveless, lackingboth muscle mass and strength.The legs are the first to go, he continues,but from my …
It has been a long time since I have written anything down. A lot of things have happened. So many things I have been unable to write them. Kelth Haring I “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end,” said Seneca. No truer words, I believe, have ever been spoken. One must always leave …
Continue reading "A Writer’s Diary – Disparity Of Thoughts – Born Different"
Acceptance—What The World Needs Now With the senseless killing of Black men by white police officers in the United States, at a rate which has not been seen since the racial unrest of the sixties, to the ISIS bombings in France, Yemen, Turkey, Afghanistan, Algeria, Tunisia, Syria, and Brussels, etc., to the endless bloodshed between …
…for good or evil, we are a single people: the more we become conscious of this, the less difficult and long will be humanity’s progress toward justice and peace. Primo Levi (July 31, 1919 – April 11, 1987) Something we learned from the Human Genome Project is that the entire 7.5 billion-member human species goes …
Continue reading "A Writer’s Diary – One Tenth Of One Percent"
It is one of those mornings most only get to dream of and here I am living it every day with those who inspired and continue to be a great inspiration to me and this life I love and live, but it is time to leave. I have devoted enough time and words to this …
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 …
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 …
Continue reading "A Writer’s Diary – America In Distress – Updated For July 4th 2020"
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 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 …
Continue reading "The Philosopher – Book II – 14 – Reigniting The Sun"
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 …
Continue reading "The Philosopher – Book II – 13 – The Assembly"
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 …
Continue reading "The Philosopher – Book II – 12 – The Time Is Near"
“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 …
Continue reading "The Philosopher – Book II – 11 – The Void Between Dragons And Man"
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 …
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 …
Continue reading "The Philosopher – Book II – 10 – Tao And Simone, A Maiden Voyage"
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 …
Upashna immediately leaves 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 …
Continue reading "The Philosopher – Book II – 8 – The Philosopher Receives His True Name"
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 …
Continue reading "The Philosopher – Book II – 7 The Known, Part Two"
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. …
Continue reading "The Gate Keeper Of Inspiration: Book II Chapter Sixteen — Hermann Hesse"
Confidence in daybreak modifies dusk. Emily Elizabeth Dickinson Tao Writer (April 17, 1948 -) 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 …
“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 …
Continue reading "The Philosopher – Book II – 6 The Known, Part One"
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 …
Continue reading "A Writer’s Diary – Isolation And The Ironies Of History"
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 …
Continue reading "The Philosopher – Book II – 5 The Familiar And The Unknown"
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 …
Continue reading "The Philosopher – Book II – 4 Samadhi – The City Of Wizards"
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 …
If you begin to understand what you are without trying to change it, then what you are undergoes a transformation. —Jiddu Krishnamurti
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
