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With the increasing attack,  on the natural world, by humans who seem toy prefer hard and cold metal and bricks and motar, how nice it is that this pair of urban foxes have survived to make their first show of 2018?   Yes, it is very pleasing. No signs of any patter of little feet, but, who knows, we might yet be blessed with same one fine day. In the meantime, please take a look and have a listen to the recorded or canned music.  You will notice that the foxes are not moving about much, but they do look in good condition; better than they did last year.  They remained visible on this occasion for over 10 minutes, which is an indication of their sense of familiarity with the area and lost of fear.

The relationship between humans and our environment is as ambivalent and problematic as is our relationship with our fellow humans.  And yet, just as how us humans cannot survive and prosper, without getting better at working as a united family.   So also are we not able to survive and prosper, without getting better at having a mutually health and reciprocal relationship with our environment and ecosystem.' It is probably easy enough for those of us who are both cursed and blessed, probably in equal measures.   To be sceptical, suspicious and dismissive about the claims of 'native peoples', that they can and do communicate with pretty much everything in their observable and sensory universe.  That they communicate with the animals which are now present amongst them, or have disappeared.  Either from an excess of hunting or fishing, or, as is sometimes the case, from 'outsiders' coming in and using great boats and machines to deplete their resou

And, a we came to the short pre-cremation ceremony for Y, which has been so succinctly  officiated by Sara.   Beginning with one taped song, which seemed appropriate, and ended with another.  Tom Jones' Sex Bomb, which seemed less appropriate, unless it was chosen by Y herself, with the mischievous intention of shocking us on our final goodbye to her.  We continue the process of our remembrance Y, and of coming to terms with her transition from being a 'live' person in body and spirit.  To her no longer being so in body, but in our memories of her.  Of her having been a live sister, wife, relative amongst us and with us. Even if, in the latter years, relationships were more problematic and enigmatic, and contacts were much restricted.  And now is the time when we will have to, and should suffice with our memories of the happy times we share with Y.  Of being regaled by her infectious and body shaking laughter. Goodbye, Y. And, if you do meet w

This is another short video of a close encounter with the florality of the Garden in Summer. There is much to see, if the observer is willing to commit just a short amount of time to move in closed and examine what there is to see. Please find the time to have a look and a listen, and see if your time and application is, even in some small way, rewarded!

For her having given her the gene which has led to her having the disease which has helped to create the complications from which she was to die.  She also spoke about the apparently differing opinions of some of the medical staff responsible for treating her.   With one ominously indicating that nothing more could be done to save her.   While another, she indicated, had given her some hope of something being done.  We will never know the full account of the information to which Y and her spouse had been privy.   As she did not agree to her sisters and in-law speaking to the consultants.   While her spouse had an estranged relationship, if that, with Y's relatives.  Indeed, had not Y, with a certain amount of firmness, and probably some desperation.  Told her in-law, in a phone conversation.  How she knew he wanted to help, but how there was no point in him speaking directly to the consultants to get their opinion of her predicament, as they w

Subscribe to a principle and/or practice, which is likely to put their own freedom, and even their lives, at risk further down the line. That is now prudent. It is not consistent or compatible with the mindset which says humans must rise above the traditions, the customs, and the orthodoxies  which hold them enslaved to the past.  If they/we are to continue to evolve and realise a more humanocentric and enlightened future. And, in doing so and effecting the changes in Western societies, have, along with other, made the sacrifices which were required.  Not to raise questions about and frankly debate serious and important issues, like the implications and significance of wearing of burqa in the West.   Would be both negligent and complicit with the guardians of this misogynistic and archaic tradition.  It is the case that people, in ever age or epoch, have to make choices. We have to give up something we already have, in order to acquire something we do not

Just another little video of some birds having  some gravity defying aerobatics. Please take a look and have a listen, and, if you are so moved, do enjoy these moments of wonder.

Although Y's death at what is a comparatively early age, made it more difficult for us to accept the fact that we must all die, Sara went on.  We should be comforted in knowing that she, Y, is no longer experiencing any pain and is at rest. At the point of her passing, it had been no longer than a couple of months since 3 of us had seen and conversed with Y.  Her sisters and her reflected on and reminisced about the times they had spent together in the past.  The close, almost mother and daughter bond between Y and her oldest sister, who had played a crucial role in helping to care for her.   As, even in her tender years, she had had to struggle with fighting the disease which has now played a crucial role in her too soon demise.  During what was to be their final two meetings, the three sisters and one of their in-laws had many laughs.  Even though the atmosphere was filled with unspoken poignancy.  The gloom which might have been present was mitiga

How can the 'liberals' achieve such a feat, without offering comfort and support to the oppressive forces of traditions, which are responsible for 'human rights' activists like the Badawis, in Saudi Arabia.   Being incarcerated for questioning these archaic traditions and systems, which the ultra misogynistic cultures in which burqa wearing and other oppressive measures are enforced on Women?   How, indeed. It is clear that there is something greatly amiss, when you have apparently liberal forces which should be encouraging frank, open and responsible discussion difficult issues.   Illogically and misguidedly trying to close down the discussion and seemingly arguing for the 'criminalising' of those who dare to challenge things they are concerned about. The liberals and progressives in the West, should remember that, they are only 'liberals' and 'progressives.'   Because they belong to a mindset,  a benevolent tradit

Especially as, with the loss of Y, there might be no or little incentive or motivation to resolve them and to repair relationships which have now become atrophied. Thoughts about final or last contacts with Y, irrespective of whether they were happy or sad ones, but would now be all perceived as poignant ones.  As we are confronted with the conscious or subconscious shock of her death. Is she really gone?  As some of us would have remembered the resonating and doleful voice of her partner, J, telling us, just after 8pm on that fateful evening of  24th July 2018.  Yes, some of her relatives and friends would be thinking, including those of us now gazing on her Coffin, we knew she was seriously ill.  Even that she might not have seen out 2018, but why were we not told in time about her final hospital admission, and given time to visit and see her again?  Why, Why? And, not having any acceptable answers, they might be thinking that they were deliberatel