Totally Pointless Action of the Week.

1. Remove the heads from some Daffodils.

2. Move them about 3 metres away, then drop them on the ground.

3. Re-attach headphones, put on backpack, stare blankly at phone, clutch plastic Coffee cup.

4. Walk away feeling reinvigorated, clever, and proud.

 

Pickettywitch - That Same Old Feeling

Things were very different back in the early 1970's. Hairstyles were different, girls make-up was different, and the songs were very different; they had 'tunes'.

I had just graduated, bought my first house, had a teaching job, and was thinking about moving to France. Nothing seemed impossible.

This song, and the band, represent the feeling around at that time. The novelty of 'Swinging London' had become normalised, and the new-found liberty was spreading fast.

It was a time when we all felt safe, financially secure, and optimistic. I think this song echoes that feeling.

Foxes, Foxes, everywhere.

This, below, is one of the Foxes that I feed in the mornings here in central Brighton. He, or she, is given a handful of dog food at about 5.30 am every day (after I've had my own breakfast). It's such a beautiful animal, and very healthy looking.

Mostly he/she comes alone, but occasionally brings a friend. I have no idea how many there are living nearby, but Lady M invariably sees a few when she takes Billy for his final evening walk of the day. Billy and the Foxes have an 'understanding'; they just sit and look at each other.

Meanwhile in France we also have Foxes; or at least I know that we have one. Here he/she has triggered the surveillance camera (below), whilst walking across the lawn under the Quince tree.

We don't see many Foxes in France, in fact I was very surprised to see this one. However, we did lose a whole run-full of 15 Chickens to a Fox one night, way back in the late 70's. I took the shotgun out into the woods quite often after that; but no sign.

I do like Foxes, they are beautiful animals. Of course they have to eat, and unfortunately they tend to enjoy the same things that we enjoy, Chicken, Duck, Lamb, etc; so one cannot be complacent.

We have plenty of Wild Boar, Deer and Badgers around the house in France, and it's good to know that we also have Foxes. A good variety of wildlife is a sign that all is well with the world (apart from Putin).

14-Year-Old Hero Saves Toddler Trapped in a Well

We probably all remember the heroic action of 14 year old Cristian Becheanu back in 2012. But it's worth reminding ourselves.

So, what became of him? He's obviously taking his heroics in his stride, as little is known about what happened to him over the past decade or more.

However, we do have this one photo of him now, with his own little boy.

Happy Christmas Cristian.

Bertrand Russell - His Message To Future Generations (1959)

With the world as it is, it is timely to listen to this man.

Bertrand Russell was without doubt one of the world's greatest philosophers. 

When I was up at my senior school, in the early 60's, I read two of his books. 'Fact and Fiction' was one, I can't remember the name of the other. They were impressively logical and informative works, and influenced my life enormously. He was so clear and precise about everything he'd researched, and it rubbed-off on the young reader (me).

Here he is, back in 1959, being as coolly logical, reasoned, and analytical as he always was. His words are as important today (if not more important) as they were then.

May I suggest watching the short video TWICE.

Bottoms everywhere!

Sussex (The Garden of Eden) has some interesting place names. Above are just a few.

Peculiar to Sussex is the upside-down nature of certain place names. For example, East Grinstead is to the West of West Grinstead, Upper Beeding is lower than Lower Beeding, and, of course, The Downs are hills; which go 'UP'.

I cannot claim to have visited many of the villages above, but I'm looking forward to spending some time in Poverty Bottom, Bushy Bottom, and Loose Bottom. All delightful I'm sure.

 

With God on our Side.

 

I am not a Church-goer, nor am I ascribed to any religion.

However, I have absolutely nothing against anyone believing whatever they wish. I don't hate Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, Jaynes, Hindus, or the members of any other of the countless different religions. They all have their imaginary gods and devils, and that's fine by me.

I don't like members of certain religions who use their beliefs for terrorist reasons, but that's a different matter. Nor am I too sure about priests 'Blessing Guns', as above!

Most religions teach their followers to love one-another. To be kind and generous to our fellow man. Yet many extremists ignore that, and are determined to kill those who believe something slightly different to themselves.

I suppose the most bizarre extreme of this attitude must be between the Catholics and Protestants in N Ireland. They use the exact same book, yet they seemed to hate each other because one group reveres one character more than another..... For goodness sake!!!

All religions have their own festivals, ceremonies, and even dress-codes, which I'm happy to accept as a bystander. I even take part in certain religious ceremonies myself.

So please, may I plead with members of religious groups and congregations. Keep believing in your own ideology if you must, but leave others to believe in theirs. There is no reason to hate or kill people simply because they worship some different non-existent god to yours.

I hate to suggest such a thing, but have any of the religious terrorists ever 'suspected' that their deities may not actually exist? Just because someone tells you that there are gods and devils out there.... it ain't necessarily true.