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
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"
Beliefs: Part I In the battle of beliefs. Who wins? Might? Wisdom? Gods? Beliefs are always right of course, at least to those who hold a particular belief. Why would anyone believe something they do not believe is true? We are conditioned to believe what we believe. The course of this planet's existence following the …
I have written about beliefs before (Beliefs Part I and Part II). I am writing about them again this week because one of my isolation mates is a fundamentalist christian. Basically fundamentalism is a movement or attitude stressing strict and literal adherence to a set of basic principles emphasizing a literal interpretation of the Bible …
Continue reading "A Writer’s Diary – Isolation – Day 28 – Beliefs"
Beliefs: Part II Every act is a statement of your beliefs. What you believe is so ingrained with the consciousness and with the body that you and its reflection are one. A man cannot be separated from his beliefs any more than he can be separated from his soul. A change of belief can occur …
While growing up in Trenton, New Jersey whenever my brother or I would face a defeat in life and feel life was no longer worth living our mom would always say, “It’s not the end of the world, you know.” As an adult facing so many of life’s never ending traumas, I kept her words …
Continue reading "A Writer’s Diary – It’s Not The End Of The World You Know"
Each day I search the numbers. The newly infected, the newly dead, the total infected, the total dead. The numbers keep rising. I search the countries and states where my friends and families live, Estonia, Cuba, Wales, Spain, Fuji, Australia, New York, New Jersey, California. People I usually only contacted once or twice a year, …
Continue reading "A Writer’s Diary – Being Old Is A Gift, Sometimes"
There lived some time ago in the village of South Port on the Isle of Havnor in the land of EarthSea a philosopher. The cerebral castle of his thoughts filled much of his life but existed only in the air. His kingdom lived in his heart. He was a good, generous, fair and just man. …
It is late afternoon as I wonder through the Great Hall and into one of our many gardens on the property where I sit down on the small bench under the large oak tree to ponder my talk for this evening. My guests have asked me to speak to the topic of why we fear …
Continue reading "The Gate Keeper Of Inspiration: Book II Chapter Fourteen — Olga Jacoby"
I ended a recent diary entry with three words: Life Goes On! I have no doubt whatsoever that it will. It always does. Life survives. Through famines, floods, plagues, damnation, wars, the impact of meteors and the carelessness of humankind, life survives. It always has and always will unless we kill or destroy the planet. …
Today is the twentieth day of stay at home isolation. I feel as if I lucked out with this situation because I am in isolation with two others and am not alone. We spend most of our time separated in our rooms but we share two meals together each day, language lessons, an occasional film …
Continue reading "A Writer’s Diary – Isolation – Day Twenty"
This is an extraordinary time full of vital, transformative movements that could not be foreseen. It’s also a nightmarish time. Full engagement requires the ability to perceive both. — Rebecca Solnit I have been reading quite a bit lately about the arc of the CoVid-19 pandemic. Based upon computer models and projections scientists show how …
While living in Cuenca I would occasionally see people wearing face masks. That was long before CoVid-19 came into our lives. The masks were used to prevent the inhaling of bus and car fumes while walking. I carried a handkerchief to cover my nose and mouth when a bus approached or I would hold my …
The Philosopher Dedication: This story is in the realm of science fiction and fantasy due to the first fantasy series I read and fell in love with, the EarthSea series by Ursula K Le Guin. Later I read J R R Tolkien and CS Lewis but Le Guin was the first. She was the …
I am and have been for the vast parts of my life a loner so the isolation and social restrictions resulting from CoVid-19 have not affected me to a great degree psychologically, but it has physically. I have never enjoyed exercising indoors or even at health clubs except for playing tennis inside during the cold …
Continue reading "A Writer’s Diary – An Abundance Of Caution"
The great difficulty with language is that we use it in our attempts to explain things for which no true explanation exists. In the Hermetic writings of the third century it was written, "If you don't make yourself equal to God you can't perceive God: for like is known by like." Anything I say about …
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
