Catblogger

I went to Sissinghurst gardens in Kent this weekend to see the early arrival of their spring bulbs and plants before the trees and shrubs began to take over. The idea was to enjoy a walk in the post winter - early spring garden and to contemplate on the season. It was more a trip to clear the air a bit and indulge in a little Zen meditation; the sort of thing is to relate to the bare trees and shrubs yet see the emrging foliage and enjoy the growth of the daffodils and other plants. I was also keen on taking some pictures for my writer's group web site and add some more to my google blog.

Naturally I met people with like minds and although I appreciated being a lone walker and watcher I was pleasantly surprised when people smiled and talked to me - maybe I look daft and they pity me - and this added to the pleasure of the visit.

Spring is yellow.

I also saw some lambs newly born wobbling on pipe cleaner legs and bouncing as joyfully as Tigger. I saw families enjoying the the day and bossy ten year old boys telling their dads how the world works; a couple hand in hand walking the muddy woodland tracks and volunteers smiling warm greetings.

And when I got home my cat came running.

Zen helped a lot.

I was encouraged by a contact from rainbowgirl to think again about the books I read or have read when I read her blog.  I was surprised to see that she had read some of the books I had read considering that she at age seventeen and me at age nearly sixty-seven I had some idea that she would like books so much different from my taste.   Wrong! I'm pleased to say.  Yes, I did thing that Pullman's story was a bit weak but the middle volume was excellent; and I too enjoyed and still do enjoy The Hitchhiker's Guide but do not recommend trying Arthur Dent's method of learning to fly - it hurts.  Lord of the Rings is one along with The Hobbit, CS Lewis Narnia stories and the Alice stories as well from Carroll. 

I can recommend The Half Men of O by Maurice Gee, The Life of Pi as a must read and try Catch 22 which is barmy; and also by Heller God Knows - but read a little about the Biblical David first.  As a man who has read all of Shakespeare's works, acted in a Henry V and is currently, among many other projects re-writing Hamlet from the point of view of an infinite number of monkeys, who also writes poems I also have read many books and continue to do so.  Current read is Varney the Vampyre having also for many years enjoyed Dracula and Frankenstein. 

I also dive into romances and such classics as Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre and its counterpoint The Far Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys, taken a look at Albert Camus - La Peste - and read Les Miserable, The Naming of the Rose and such quaint stories as The Thirteen Clocks and  The Wonderful O.  

My reading covers all areas from thrillers, Crime, Comedy, Sci-fi, Fantasy, Autobiography, Biographies, academic reading for subjects ranging from History to Modern technology; in fact anything that interests me.  Most importantly although we have the interenet as a most useful resource I still take pleasure in sitting down somewhere and reading a book .  In this way I discovered that Mills and Boon also have much to offer because when you research the genre you learn how they work and understand the need and apepal of the market. 

The world of literature from wherever you approach it is rich with pleasure and knowledge and its is great to hear from young people who appreciate the media.  Okay so rainbowgirl is not entirely unique but she is refreshingly exciting and has a lively and witty blog which I put down to her eclectic tastes.   As a Teaching Assistant at a Secondary school working with post sixteen students I meet young people with wide reading tastes who are also willing to read beyond their interests.  Rainbowgirl has reminded me of that.  Thanks.

I know that I have introduced myself as a cat lover so there may be nothing new in me doing so if it were not for a few more observations.  I talk to my cat and of late I have noticed that she seems to understand one or two key phrases - now don't panic I am not as daft as seem - that I say when I am talking to her.  For example if I want her to come to me I ask her and often she will do so and even using the word 'no' seems to have an effect.  I tried other phrases on the silly assumption that se might be learning English and of course, you geussed it - zilch.  No effect whatsoever.  So I tried again and carefully made a note of what worked and what didn't and came to the conclusion that it was not the language or the words selected that made a difference but the time and place, my body language and habit that did it. 

Cats seem to like adopting patterns of behavoir according to their familiarity with events.  It is well known that many dogs will recognise a familiar footstep, the sound of the masters car etc and react by running toward the sound in greting long before the person has arrived.  This awareness is recognised and can be seen in a child knowing instinctively who is mother, or where she is.  It is later whan we grow into adults we forget the instinct and ignore its pull. 

Cats have an instinct that allows them to recognise patterns in your behavior and relate that to good things in their lives, comfort, treats, feeding times, times when doors will open, play times and sleeping times plus your voice when you announce them.  Voice accompanied by actions that make them happy will attract cats toward you and as it is Mothering Sunday I am sure that we can claim to be surrogate mothers to our cats and so any noises we make can be intr=erpreted by them as the precursor to treats or comfort. 

That does not mean fro one moment I will give up talking to my cat in my own language as long as I also attempt to learn hers.  Result: I remain as daft and as soppy with my cat as normal and my cat gets fed, watered and fussed as normal which a is a mutually beneficial arrangement because to get all these things all she has to do is smooch, grovel, purr and trill her way around me. 

The bonus is that I get an affectionate pet and the illusion that I am in control and have somebody more interesting than myself to talk to.

Okay, so we are going through some tough times here, right? Be aware that for the past two decades we have ridden high on good wages, unlimited credit, piles of available goods and the expectation we can have what we want at any time we want it. Added to that we have suffered from the embarrassment of celebrity culture that has created some awful people, some horrendous behavior and Big Brother. Eek! The reason I don't like the program is because it creates celebrities with little or no talent unless it is that they are celebrities because they have been on Big Brother. The problem is that in Orwell's story the room 101 was where Winston Smith and Julia faced their worst nightmare and sibsequently betrayed each other. In our version the inmates face only minor humiliation and it is not life threatening. Except of course outside of the program when one celebrity with little or no talent other than her place on Big Brother is discovered to be ill with a rather nasty form of cancer.

Now, this is where I changed my opinion of the poor woman and began to wish her all the best in her fight to gain as much from the situation for her family as she possibly could. Her tragic circumstances and the media hype that was whipped up to help her maximise her profits is a brave attempt to gain the advantage in a financial climate that is as hostile as the cancer that invades her.

I do not like the persona that Jade Goody showed to the public but that does not mean that I have no sympathy for her in these tough times. In fact I must make a tribute to her and her efforts and offer my sympathy to her. Tough times for her and tough times for us but let us learn from her. Be brave and face the future however short or precarious and howver cock-eyed it may seem do what you do best and let things happen. Like Jade you may go under but there is always hope that those you leave behind will benefit from your sacrifice and survive the tough times.

There is one thing that happens to all of us at some time or another and that is the need to disappear for a few weeks and as they say to chill out.  In this case the chilling out was chilling in.  I had no gas heater to keep this slightly overweight body warm or a place for my cat Sophie to stretch and purr in the luxury that cats expect.  I spent Christmas day with my sister and devoured much food in the warmth of their large, well heated mansion and afterwards, having spent the night there, staggered home to a cold building which cost me an arm and a leg (metaphorically speaking) to heat with electric heaters.  The chaparrived to do the gas heater after the 'chimley' as he described it was repaired. 

The landlord was as tight as could be and was reluctant to spend the dollars on scaffolding, bricklayers and such to repair what was a leaky chimney so I had to threaten him with withdrawal of rent and a visit to the council offices who provide me with the wherewithall to pay the sum.  result: a sudden enthusiasm for getting the job done.  We had snow and ice but eventually the thing was done and Sophie puss and owner had a place that was warm.  Great stuff!

But what about the dropping out?

I decided to change a few things and so with all that was going on I left this blog to last.  So, Cat and I apologise and will be in touch.  For the moment we are trying to find a company to work for - preferably a Scottish bank - to enhance our retirement fund.  The idea of gaining £650000 for messing up a financial icon is quite attractive.  We are op[en to offers. 

Okay, so we are at the end of the year; the mad scramble to feed the metaphorical five thousand has emptied the supermarket shelves of brusssel sprouts, turkeys and many perishable viands; wines and spirits are disappearing as fast as they can be put on the shelves and finding a parking space downtown is a frustrating exercise. Santas wander around the shopping centers, children queue up at makeshift grottos and the tinsel, lights and plastic decorations glitter provocatively.

Me, I mutter 'Bah Humbug' and wish for a return to the innocence of my childhood when the Christmas hassle was far removed from my ken and grandma sang carols at the piano and we came downstairs on Christmas morning to see the living room transformed into a magic place of warm food, Christmas tree in the corner with parcels underneath and the smell of spiced puddings being readied for the pot.

So, I send my contacts a greeting for Christmas and hope that you are all going to use the Christmas message of hope and weather the economic storm.

In the meantime to cheer you up try the Sheppey Writers web site and read the Christmas stories written by year seven children of the Westlands School at Sittingbourne. The address is: http://www.freewebs.com/sheppeywriter and you are invited to make comments on our guestbook, read the stories and if you want to download the PDF pieces that are attached.

Incidently, my cat cares not a fig for Christmas but will eat a portion of Turkey if placed close to her nose; otherwise it is jellymeat and biscuits.

Merry Christmas!

I left my cat at home snoozing fatly beside the heater on Saturday 22nd and took to walking with my sister using the Ringlestone Arms in Kent as my base.  We dressed up well in 'sensible' clothes took off to walk the exposed hills between the villages of Frinstead and Wormshill.  The thing is to keep moving, look for the sunny spots and step out a bit more vigorously than normal.  The reward was a wonderful experience that embraced the mid Autumn colors and some great views out over the Thames and Medway estuaries. 

Returning to the pub we enjoyed the warmth of a cheery fire and ate a pleasant lunch having exercised well.  The method I use for keeping the cold at bay is to warm up by walking along a road or an easy path first at what is described by us oldies as 'a brisk pace' and then venture into the less easier walking where you are forced perhaps to slow down and get a little exposed to the cold.  This day the wind was cold and vicious but with hats on and scarves we weathered the cold breeze and by the time we had clambered over a few stiles, climbed a few hills and finally reached the road we were well warmed up. 

Why walk in the cold?

The reason is that you can layer clothes on and as long as it is not yer actual artic conditions you can walk a long way without sweating your veritables off.  If you get too warm you can always take a layer off and add it on again when you get cold. 

I apoligised to my cat when I did get home after sitting with my sister at her home waffling and drinking hot chocolate.  She, the cat that is, seemed to accept the apology and cuddled up happily and all was well in the Apps household. 

Have you seen a cat walking in the cold?

Mine hates it and would rather be inside warm and sleeping, but then I do not blame her, after all she has only her fur to protect her and with bare feet on a cold surface I should imagine the experience leaves a lot to be desired.  She cannot add or remove layers so easily.

Mind you, I think she quite liked the idea joining me at the pub in front of their roaring fire.  But then I may be wrong.  Who can tell?  Cats have minds of their own.

From where I sit and watch the American elections it appears that the American people have taken the inevitable step and voted for the right man. Even if his opponant had been of a similar ilk, white or black, he still came across as the right choice.

That he is black is an advance, bearing in mind that many people in high administration in the USA are black, it is great that Obama has been chosen. I was impressed, as we all were, by Martin Luther King's speech and the promise that one day all men will be equal in the USA and now his dream has come partially true. The USA has a black president but there is still a long way to go. The next step is to elect a woman - right?

The amazing thing about Obama's election is that the American people have recognised a man with presence, a man who is strong in his ideas and can offer hope for the ordinary people.

What I like about Obama is that when he chose his running mate he discarded Hillary Clinton and made his own selection. I believe if he had been stuck with a Clinton he would be making a rod for hios own back and she and her husband would be like the Ancient Mariner's albatross hanging upon his soul.

So, let us watch what happens and in the meantime let's welcome him as the new leader of the free world. A little sarcastic perhaps but let's hope that he makes Iraq free and thinks again about Afghanistan and is strong enough to face off against other major powers and help us to stop the fiasco in both places.

Bush's war against terror and Blair's illconcieved involvement may find a new direction and in the meantime we will celebrate the change.

Welcome on board Barack Obama

I am a writer:  that I am also an artist is another part of me that adds to my status a servant to my cat and a lover of motorcycles, and allows me to be creative on my own count and appreciate creativity in others.  The Haiku comes into the picture through an artistic project at the RSPB site in Elmley marshes on the Isle of Sheppey.  A small group of us went there in the evening and in between showers walked in the dimming light trying to write Haiku poems.  Great fun when it stopped raining. 

A Haiku is a three line poem consisting of seventeen syllables with five in line one, seven in line two and five in line three.  Traditionally the Japanese Haiku should be about what you see immediately and should have a seasonal theme.  They are a fascinating form to write and should be written down and then left as they were written to capture that immediacy. 

In the 1950's and 60's the so-called Beat Poets took the Haiku and changed it to suit themselves but still used the short form and the immediacy of it to say what they needed to put across.  Simple, direct but with the images thus invoked led to quite complex thoughts rising from the words.  I use one of my own as an illustration. 

 In the thunderous dawn, The sparrow flies, Forever.

or-

In the rain, the sun gleams yellow and green, my cat shakes diamonds from her fur.

The second one has seventeen syllables.   Note that in both poems there is the bones of a short story if you can bridge the ideas that are presented and add your own imagination to words.  

So, this is what I have in mind. 

Check out the Sheppey Writer's website and if you feel you want to submit some work to us and if we like it we will put it on the site.  No prizes offered but it is great to have your work published. 

Now, as for short stories, I am sure that many people have a short story or two tucked away that could be published too.   Again, submit them to the site and see what happens. 

The site?  We are the Sheppey and Sittingbourne Writer's Group and to learn a little about our group click HERE. 

I was sad when I read about Daniel James. 

When I say sad it was not just because of his condition or the decision he came to, but that we in this society of ours have forgotten that in societies past there was a personal choice.   Greeks took their lives for many reasons - Socrates was given the option - take his life or be executed.   Dianne Pretty had a choice - take her own life or be executed by the disease and Debbie Purdy is facing the same dilemma.  Three deaths that are nasty, uncomfortable - not that death is comfortable - and possibly painful.  Dianne Pretty wanted her husband with her at the end to help her in her last moments and so does Debbie Purdy.  Both women are entitled to have their wishes respected.   Socrates was niether brave nor foolish but merely practical in following the edicts of the times. 

Daniel James made a choice - right or wrong - to take the Socratean way, condemned as he was to a life with very little meaning - a life sentence more restricting than a murderer, more punishing than being on death row in an American state prison.   He made his choice and his parents and family did their best to help him carry it out. 

The 'what ifs' are obvious - what if he were cured of his paralysis?

What if he regained some control of his body some years down the track?

Obviously there is also what if he didn't? 

He could spend a hopeless life seeking hope or have hope and keep going or do as he did and end his life.  Not much choice really is there? 

But I knew a man in New Zealand whom I shall call Joe who was in a similar position.  He sustained a spinal injury that paralysed his whole body and although he could talk and eat he had to have everything else catered for.  He was kept in a spinal treatment unit and one day a nurse doing a regular test on his extremities saw a reaction and this began waht turned out for Joe a painful recovery.  I met him in the rehabilitation unit and the man was an inspiration to me to work towards my own recovery - his condition made mine look like a scratch to a major open wound - and I saw him recover almost completely.

Daniel James may not have had that option.

But what makes me sad is that he might have had the chance.  

What else makes me sad is that his family cannot rest and take stock in their grief without being charged with the crime of assisting suicide. 

I do not agree with assisted suicide as a means of resolving a situation unless that situation is proved to be hopeless for the person concerned.  The thought of allowing this solution to happen without extreme justification is horrendous - the opportunity for abuse is too much to contemplate, but there is a need to make  a law that will allow people in situations such as Dianne Pretty, Debbie Purdy and now Daniel James to make a rational decision and then permit their loved ones to accompany them without prosecution. 

It is time that this situation is carefully examined and the law process carefully devised to make sure that people have the right to die with dignity. 

Is it morally acceptable to deny choice to a rational person as a opposed to making a choice for somebody who is perhaps too ill to think rationally.  Danial James, Dianne Pretty, Debbie Purdy and Socrates are all rational people and it seems irrational that they are not allowed to make their choice without it affecting the lives of those who love them in such a way as to cause them suffering. 

Did the man who handed Socrates the hemlock suffer from the hands of the law?   No, the cup was properly prepared and willingly taken. 

I am not brave enough to make such a choice - are you?