“I Will Never See The World Again” by Ahmet Altan
Reviewing this book for The Guardian in 2019, Simon Callow said, “To review certain books seems like an impertinence. This is one of them. It speaks for itself with such clarity, certainty and wisdom that only one thing needs to be said: read it. And then read it again.” I agree. I have just…
Read MoreThe Marvel of the World
I’m sitting at my desk in front of the window at the cabin, looking out on the laneway and the creek. I am trying to write. I am trying to be present to the All-That-Is. I’m not doing very well. Monkey-mind and an inner voice that tells me it’s all shite after all. A thunder…
Read MoreWisdom Companion #5 – The Bittersweet Bread of the Human Condition
Another entry from my aman-cara, Sister Rita, on the wisdom she discovers as she walks this path with cancer… Rita says… One full course of treatment is complete, and I am now one-third of the way through course two. Each course consists of two shots of Fulvestrant and 21 days of Ibrance. My experience is mostly…
Read MoreAnnie Ernaux – “Happening” Review
Although I had heard of Annie Ernaux (one could hardly live for a decade in France and NOT hear about her), until now I hadn’t read her work. Why not? Well, to be honest I am generally not terribly interested in memoirs of someone’s erotic life, nor of autobiography at all. I rarely find they…
Read MoreWisdom Companion #4 from Sr. Rita. Season of Surrender
Another entry from my aman-cara, Sister Rita on the wisdom brought to her as she walks this path with cancer… Welcome back and thank you for taking the time to read this. Yesterday I met with the oncologist, got my double shot of Fulvestrant and an additional shot of XGEVA – a supplement to strengthen my…
Read MoreWisdom Companion #3 The Comfort of Paradox
Another entry from my aman-cara, Sister Rita on the wisdom brought to her as she walks this path with cancer… (And please see my note at the end.) The Comfort of Paradox Journal Entry by Rita Woehlcke I am not a fan of the limitations of binary choices, nor of the way they are used by…
Read MoreWisdom Companion #2 Sr. Rita’s Journey
Many of you, friends and readers, have heard me talk about Sr. Rita, who has been my aman-cara, my heart friend, for many years, and who is the inspiration for the character of Sr. Eileen in my latest novel, EVEN SO. Sr. Rita had breast cancer some years ago and we have now learned it…
Read MoreWisdom Companion #1 – Cancer and Sr. Rita
Many of you, friends and readers, have heard me talk about Sr. Rita, who has been my aman-cara, my heart friend for these many years, and who is the inspiration for the character of Sr. Eileen in my latest novel, EVEN SO. Sr. Rita had breast cancer some years ago and we have now…
Read MoreThe Wheel Turns To Remind Us
A blessed Lughnasadh/Lammas to all. After a brutal spate of heat (that many are still suffering), I woke to a cool wet morning. The creek has been alarmingly low these past weeks. The deer tiptoe across and barely get their hooves wet. It rained for a couple of hours last night, but hardly enough to…
Read MoreNew Perspectives, Old Simplicities
Ever since those astonishing photos taken by the Webb telescope were released my inbox has been filled with emails discussing them. It’s a mixed bag of astonishment, wonder, and, well, horror. Seems more than a few people have been sent spinning into existential dread, right along with the stars and galaxies spinning in the images.…
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