Notwithstanding earthquakes elsewhere and hurricanes a-hurrying, it’s a glorious and very still, early Spring day here - a mile up and a world away.
The Magnolia blooms three weeks late and if the only certainty is change then it’s the rate of change which tugs at the skirts of our attention.
“Hands up” those who expect a not too eventful life - apart from ‘nice’ holidays - with twilight years spent dozing pleasantly in the sun..... hmm ..... sounds a bit boring when put like that but, no doubt, you get the drift.
“Now is the winter of our discontent.” is closer to the cry of the grimly desperate as the slowly disintegrating financial system reveals - nothing left to take.
Plenty left to take and just as well that evil can only exist by corrupting that which already exists.
Satan is a twit. Seventy two virgins in Paradise makes one wonder at the silliness and empty imagination of whoever dreamt that up.
Seventy two virgins and no questions asked? What if they don’t like you? What if you have no desire? What happens after seventy two nights? Do you get a new lot or are you left with the responsibility of feeding and clothing a tribe of women and ... grin ..... what about the children?
Love is a constant although that’s not the obvious experience of many.
BLUFM - our local community radio station - and The Gearins hotel are putting on their yearly songwriter contest.
BLUFM are very supportive of local talent as is the Gearing hotel. I enter each year because it’s ‘good’ to be supportive and ‘winning’ isn’t everything or the only thing.
I’d entered and then pulled out of this competition because August was too full to give this positive attention.
And then, turning away from the ATM machine on the main street, the other day, and there’s Ken from BLUFM, looking at me a bit quizzically.
Could I play this Thursday? Early start?
‘Yes’ say I.
Funny how the Universe works. An opportunity presents and it really isn’t about winning. It’s about taking part, joining in - all the ‘things’ that I don’t find easy.
So ..... I did it and a young girl with a splendid voice won and that brings me to the awesome amount of talent bubbling away within every community.
The monthly songwriter night approaches and it will be a relief to play a few songs with Bruno and, hopefully, with Adrian on sax.
It’s remarkable how much we cease to pay attention to that which makes us uneasy. Fukushima disappears from the news but turns up in our food. The Gulf of Mexico spews more oil and not a mention.
Libya - and a ‘horrible dictator’ who didn’t ‘buy in’ to the central bank charade which passes as a sound basis for life. I don’t know how much of a bastard he was but he couldn’t be as odious as Mugabe who ruined a country and still clings to power. Our leaders are silent on this and worse.
I have no faith left except to hold to what is eternal......... and enjoy some rugby union and rugby league ‘vital’ games on T.V. .... and also to keep playing.