Sunday, July 31, 2022

Ach, Croagh Patrick!

In a few minutes it will be August. And only a few minutes ago I became aware of it is the last Sunday in July. Phew. 37 years ago on such a Sunday I climbed Croagh Patrick on my bare feet, one week after this agnostic had "made" Station Island, and thus kept a second promise I had given to myself. Lovely remembrance.






Croagh Patrick

St. Patrick's Purgatory

Station Island

Saturday, July 23, 2022

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Beers & Books CCXXXI – Alistair MacLeod

I like to think
that I am telling a story rather than writing it.


Alistair MacLeod (20 July 1936 – 20 April 2014)

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Beers & Books CCXXX – Laurent Binet

Civilizations
*
“What would you do if you ruled the world?”
The gigolo replied that he would abolish all laws.
Barthes said: “Even grammar?”

Laurent Binet * 19 July 1972

Monday, July 18, 2022

His rainbow-loving Highness

As I read the Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ)
only very irregularly, I am very much indebted
to the Russian Embassy in Bern
for threatening the newspaper with legal action
for insulting the deeply religious President of the Russian Republic and vigorous defender of orthodox christianity.

Otherwise I might never had become aware
of this fine caricature of his rainbow-loving highness.


Monday, July 04, 2022

Sunday, July 03, 2022

Sunday idyll

Whilst I was picking black currants,
the sky turned dark,
and behind my back painted this picture.



Friday, July 01, 2022

Beers & Books CCXXIX – The Letters of John McGahern

I think technique can be taught but I think
the only way to learn to write is to read,
and I see writing and reading as completely related.
One almost couldn't exist without the other.

John McGahern (12 November 1934 – 30 March 2006)