After escaping planned demolition in the 1960s, St Pancras railway station was renovated and expanded during the 2000s at a cost of £800 million with a ceremony attended by the Queen and extensive publicity introducing it as a public space. The restored station has 15 platforms, a shopping centre and a bus station, and is served by London Underground's King's Cross St Pancras tube station.

On the upper level, above the Arcade concourse, stands a bronze statue of the former Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman, gazing in apparent wonder at the Barlow roof. Designed by British sculptor Martin Jennings, the statue commemorates the poet's successful campaign to save the station from demolition in the 1960s. The 2-metre-high statue stands on a flat disc of Cumbrian slate inscribed with lines from Betjeman's poem Cornish Cliffs:

And in the shadowless unclouded glare

Deep blue above us fades to whiteness where

A misty sea-line meets the wash of air.

Source: en.wikipedia.org

Somewhere between Thessaloniki and Frankfurt, a mixture of cheerless gloom and unclouded sky...

I was actually expecting some fresh paint today after the array of Gevo stinkers running through while the sun was out shining and bright. There was even a double header with the 8119 112 preceding this train! I already have the 8119 posted so I think I will put up the 8101, which the capture of has been eluding me for some time now, and hope that the stars and unique locomotives align with some unclouded days ahead.

CP MacTier MP92.45 - CP 8101 (AC4400CWM), KCSM 4892 (ES44AC)

"Thou art my hope in the day of evil."

Jeremiah 17:17

The path of the Christian is not always bright with sunshine; he has his seasons of darkness and of storm. True, it is written in God's Word, "Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace;" and it is a great truth, that religion is calculated to give a man happiness below as well as bliss above; but experience tells us that if the course of the just be "As the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day," yet sometimes that light is eclipsed. At certain periods clouds cover the believer's sun, and he walks in darkness and sees no light. There are many who have rejoiced in the presence of God for a season; they have basked in the sunshine in the earlier stages of their Christian career; they have walked along the "green pastures" by the side of the "still waters," but suddenly they find the glorious sky is clouded; instead of the Land of Goshen they have to tread the sandy desert; in the place of sweet waters, they find troubled streams, bitter to their taste, and they say, "Surely, if I were a child of God, this would not happen." Oh! say not so, thou who art walking in darkness. The best of God's saints must drink the wormwood; the dearest of his children must bear the cross. No Christian has enjoyed perpetual prosperity; no believer can always keep his harp from the willows. Perhaps the Lord allotted you at first a smooth and unclouded path, because you were weak and timid. He tempered the wind to the shorn lamb, but now that you are stronger in the spiritual life, you must enter upon the riper and rougher experience of God's full-grown children. We need winds and tempests to exercise our faith, to tear off the rotten bough of self-dependence, and to root us more firmly in Christ. The day of evil reveals to us the value of our glorious hope....

Oh Life, there is much so much beauty hidden in You...

"You still don't understand what you're dealing with, do you? Perfect organism. Its structural perfection is matched only by its hostility. [...] I admire its purity. A survivor... unclouded by conscience, remorse, or delusions of morality."

BLUE:of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

Some might question how something as simple as light can have such a profound biological effect. However, the biological importance of light has been recognized for quite some time.

In Michigan, Light therapy has been around for a while. We used to have really rough, harsh winters(not so much these last 2 or 3 years). SAD is what is known as Seasonal affective disorder, kind of the same thing as "cabin fever."

"Approximately 10 percent of the population in northern climates suffers from winter depression, known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, with another 20 to 30 percent displaying some of the SAD symptoms, said Donald WIlliams, Michigan Technological University's Director of Counseling and Wellness Services." - www.mininggazette.com/page/content.detail/id/503084/Seaso...

Different colored lights and/or light boxes can be used to help people that suffer from SAD in Light therapy.

Recently we added some red bulbs in our basement along with the regular florencent white bulbs to make a more 'relaxing' atmosphere where we hang out. This is a photo of one of the bulbs. This really does work! If ever you feel sad, try changing the lighting of your atmosphere. ;)

"Long ago--We lay frozen deep in snow. It

was nice--suspended in the endless ice. Time

flew by--Worlds did weep and kingdoms

died. But still we slept--knowing that

destiny crept..."

Gwar Lyrics ("Pure As The Arctic Snow ")

Scans from Canon Atkinson's "History of Cleveland" commissioned by Henry Bolckow, 1874. Published by Joseph Richardson, Barrow in Furness

Thomas Dundas, 2nd Earl of Zetland, K.G.

Born 5th February 1795.

Died 6th May 1873.

Zetland Lifeboat Museum, Redcar

Redcar & Saltburn News 9th May 1873.

DEATH OF THE EARL OF

ZETLAND

We deeply regret to announce the death of the Earl of Zetland, which took place on Tuesday, a little before 11 a.m., at Aske Hall, Richmond.

His Lordship has been in a somewhat precarious condition of health for the last few years from the result of an accident, by which he was all but disabled from walking. Notwithstanding this his Lordship’s general health was good and his mind unclouded to the last. Last week, preparations were being made for his Lordship’s usual journey to London, and on Sunday last the Earl was in his usual health and spirits. On Monday morning, however, he awoke in a very exhausted condition, and Dr. Carter, of Richmond, was summonsed to Aske, and Sir William Gull was telegraphed for. When the latter arrived about midnight, he did not consider his patient without hope, and hopes were raised which were speedily disappointed. About 10 a.m. on Tuesday, matters became worse, and at 10.40, life became extinct. The deceased Earl was born in 1795, and is consequently 78 years of age. His Lordship’s father was created Earl of Zetland in 1838. The deceased Earl, married in 1823, Sophia Jane, daughter of Sir Hedworth Williamson, Bart, who died in 1865, by whom he had no issue. The title and estates devolve upon Lawrence Dundas, Esq., now Earl of Zetland, was born in 1844, and married in 1871, to Lady Lilian Lumley, third daughter of the Earl and Countess of Scarborough. The late Earl was educated at Harrow and at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he took his M.A. degree in 1814, the year before the battle of Waterloo. His Lordship was created a Knight of the Garter last year. Up to a recent date he was Lord Lieutenant and Custos Rotulorum of the North Riding, which offices he resigned and was succeeded by the Marquis of Ripon. He was Grand Master of the Freemasons of England for more than a quarter of a century, succeeding the Duke of Sussex in 1843, and, resigning office in 1869 was succeeded by the Marquis of Ripon.

The Noble Earl was a liberal in politics, and a member of the Church of England; he was a great patron of education and of the industries on his large estates. The schools at Redcar, and more recently the gift of ground for a cemetery, and £1000 towards the necessary buildings, are examples in Redcar of his Lordship’s magnificence. The new church at Marske, though commenced by subscription, was built chiefly at Lord Zetland’s expense, at a cost of £6000; and on all parts of his property judicious and liberal patronage of education, hospitals, and institutions tending to benefit of the community, marked by his Lordship’s career.

Lord Zetland was consistent friend and patron of the turf, being fond of horses he bred and ran them for the love of sport, and his usual conscientious and honourable spirit was manifested in this as in all other matters.

The Noble Earl’s remains will be interred in the family Vault at Marske, on Monday next, at 1 p.m. We understand that a number of the tradesmen of Redcar have signified their intention of closing their places of business from 11 till 2 on that day as a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased, and we hope this will be general."

The Redcar and Saltburn-by-the-Sea Gazette 27th June 1873

THE ZETLAND FAMILY

"A notification, dated Whitehall 14th June, appears in the London Gazette, to the effect that Her Majesty has been pleased to ordain and declare that John Charles Dundas, Esq., M.P. for Richmond, and Her Majesty’s Lieutenant of the shires of Orkney and Zetland, William Fitzwilliam James Dundas., Esq. Cospatrick Thomas Dundas, Esq., Harriet Emily Dundas, Mary Dundas, Margaret Matilda Dundas, Charlotte Jane Dundas, Laura Octavia Dundas, and Alice Dundas, spinsters, the brothers and sisters of Lawrence, now Earl of Zetland, shall henceforth have, hold, and enjoy the same title, place, pre-eminence, and presedebce, as if their late father, John Charles Dundas, has survived his elder brother Thomas, second Earl of Zetland, and had thereby succeeded to the title and dignity of Earl of Zetland. This royal order and declaration is to be recorded in Her Majesty’s College of Arms."

The Cleveland Standard 7th January 1933, and the Yorkshire Archaeological Society of which he was a member.

"The Dowager Marchioness of Zetland by Hugh W. Cook. Redcar

When I called at Marske Hall, that stately old Jacobean mansion, a few days ago, I was most cordially invited by the kind hearted Dowager Marchioness of Zetland, and after a very homely talk with her I was conducted around the hall by her lady ship, whose knowledge of the history of the mansion is most remarkable and accurate.

The dowager lady pointed out to me the most interesting and historical parts of Marske Hall, which since the death of her husband (the late Marquis of Zetland) about four years ago, has been her permanent home, and she is dearly loved and respected by all sections of the community.

The dowager lady married on August 3, 1871, and her son and heir, the present Marquis of Zetland resides at Aske Hall, near Richmond when he is residence in the North. This was also the former home of the dowager lady, and is one of the oldest mansions in England. It dates back to the Saxon period, and is mentioned in Doomsday Book as “Asse.”

Her ladyship is keenly interested in ambulance work and is a Dame Grace of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. "Both the Order of St John and the British Red Cross Society have done some very good work and are still doing it," remarked Lady Zetland.

The late Lord Zetland (and the present Lord) always had a great interest in Redcar and I am sure that the Dowager Marchioness can claim to have an almost equal interest in Coatham, as she is the direct lineal descendant of the lords Lumley, who for many generations in the middle ages were lords of the manor of Kirkleatham. They owned most of the property in Kirkleatham and Coatham.

The lordship of these places and the property came into the Lumley family in 1374 on the death of Thomas Thwenge, clerk to the Holy Orders, and Rector of Kirkleatham.

This noble family, of which the Earl of Scarborough of Sandown Park and Lumley Castle, the Dowager lady’s brother – is also a member, is one of the oldest families in England and they settled around the North Country district long before the Norman Conquest.

Lady Zetland is referring to the ancient pedigree of her family laughingly remarked, “I think history goes back nearly to the days of Adam.”

Her Ladyship is the third daughter of Richard, ninth earl of Scarborough, and is well-known all around Aske, Richmond, Marske and Redcar for her charitable and kindly deeds, as she has always given to the poor and needy.

A Fairy Godmother

She is a real "Fairy Godmother" to the people of Marske and always happy when amongst them.

Place of worship, concerts, hospitals, nursing homes, and everything organised for the poor and needy always cordially supported by the kindly heart of the dowager lady. "We must do what we can for the most unfortunate ones, and there are many in Marske alone just now," stated Lady Zetland to me.

Her ladyship paid a high comment to Redcar and the wonderful enterprises carried out there during the last few years, which is further evidence of the interest she takes in the welfare and prosperity of the North Yorkshire Borough.

The noble family of Dundas, into which the dowager lady married into in 1871, is a very old and historic Scottish family, but the Marske and Redcar property passed by purchase into the hands of the family about 150 years ago.

Upleatham Hall was the former Cleveland seat of the family, but it was demolished over 30 years ago, and only a few traces of this once commodious mansion now remain. After its demolition The Marquis of Zetland took over Marske Hall as the Cleveland seat and here house parties were usually entertained by the late Marquis and the Marchioness for Redcar and Stockton races and grouse shooting.

A Delightful Home

Marske Hall the delightful old-world mansion was built about 1650 by Sir William Pennyman Bart.

It is a neat commodious mansion, and on the front I notice are two shields, one bearing the arms of Pennyman and Atherton the other the arms of Pennyman viz., a chevron, between three arrow heads.

On Sir William Pennyman dying without issue the matter came to the Lowthers, who sold it to the Dundas family, ancestors of the Marquis of Zetland.

Marske Hall, however is not on the original site, as a mansion at one period stood in a field just south of Marske station, where the broken ground still testifies to the buried foundations.

An assignment of the dowager of Dame Joan Fauconberge, dated October 26, 1408, mentions this old hall and through this deed we catch a glimpse of the surroundings of the older hall.

The Dowager Lady Zetland has just celebrated her 81st birthday, but in spite of this she bears her years very lightly, and she assures me she enjoys very good health and keeps fairly active.

On the conclusion of my visit, her ladyship pointed out to me the beautiful carved entrance-arch just inside the hall, which is a most exquisite piece of workmanship, and still bears the arms of the Pennymans. Some very fine stained glass window glass was also pointed out to me, some of which came from Cromwell’s House at Loftus. To me all these were exceptionally interesting.

I sincerely trust this good kind hearted unassuming titled lady will be spared to reside many more years at the beautiful old Jacobean mansion and amongst the people who love her so well.

In her younger days the dowager lady was affectionately known as the "lovely Lady Lilian Lumley,” a title which I should say most ably befitted her.

The family consisted of two sons and two daughters, i.e. the present Earl of Zetland, the Hon. G. Dundas, the Countess Fitzwilliam, and Lady Southampton.

The Zetland coat of arms is Argent, a lion rampant gules, within a double tressure, flory, counterflory. The rest is a lion’s head affronted gules, encircled by a holly bush.

Her ladyship is an advocate of good living of good clean sport, and of all that’s best in English village life."

Rev Richard Sedgwick BA, minister of Dent who died May 14th 1828 aged 92 years

Gifted with a clear understanding and early disciplined in sound learning , his principles as he advanced in age were exalted and refined by the religion which he taught . Thus happily qualified for his sacred calling, he lived among his flock for fifty four years revered as their pastor and loved as their brother. A bright example of humility , of piety and of charity. When to the other infirmities of old age was added the loss of sight, he retired from the duties of this church, but his mind remaining unclouded and his affections warm, and his holy influence was more than ever felt, by his household and his friends.

During the gradual decay of his bodily frame, he was still thankful and cheerful, and he died without pain or suffering, full of faith in his Redeemer, and strong in the hope of a blessed immortality "

- Dent church Yorkshire

Kalix, April 28, 1986: All of a sudden Sweden melted and I found myself in the Garden of Eden. No kidding. Today it got up to +10ºC. There's still snow on the ground in lots of places, but much of it has melted now. Parched-dry streets streaked with rivulets of flowing water! Mirror-like pools in people's front yards, reflecting a brilliant sky and an unclouded sun. The wind could be chilly, but you only felt the wind on certain streets or on a certain side of the building. And out of the wind it was warm. I lay down on a park bench and slept. Outside! Unbelievable.

Здание железнодорожного павильона, возведённое к приезду семьи императора в 1913 году

Пожар в День Победы 9 мая 2014 года в селе Шахманово Нижегородской области

Richard Dunderdale. was a brother of Canon William Dunderdale.

WILLIAM CANON DUNDERDALE.

"The choice of a successor to Dr. Wrennall," as the Tablet thus

announced at the time, " has fallen upon Canon Dunderdale, of Great Harwood, in the Diocese of Salford, and the choice has been received with applause. Canon Dunderdale has long enjoyed the confidence of the clergy of Lancashire, of whose fund he has been for many years the indefatigable Secretary. He has also been for some time an active member of the Poor School Committee. His excellent business habits, punctuality, and considerate kindness to all are no doubt strong recommendations ; and his intimate acquaintance with the practical work of a priest's life on the mission, and his knowledge of what is required in the education of the clergy to fit them for their arduous duties, are no less important

qualifications for one who is to preside over a college with some two hundred ecclesiastical students. "

William Canon Dunderdale, son of Richard and Ellen Dunderdale, was born at Bolton, October 1st, 1827. He went to college February l0th, 1840, and commenced his studies in, the first class of Underlow. He had for schoolfellows among others of the clergy, Revs. G. Coulston, D.D., George Flint, and Gerald O'Reilly. At the close of his Philosophy in July, 1848, he was appointed Minor Professor, and taught mathematics, arithmetic, writing, and drawing for three years ; the drawing he continued to teach till the close of his college course in 1854. He was ordained priest,

September 23rd, 1854, and went on the mission, October 3rd, in the same year, as assistant priest to the Very Rev. Canon Toole, D.D., at St. Wilfrid's, Hulme, Manchester. On June 24th, 1857, he commenced a new mission at Great Harwood, with 78 Catholics for a congregation. Of this mission James

Lomax, Esq., was a liberal patron and benefactor. In April, 1858, the new church of Our Lady and St. Hubert was begun, and on November 3rd, 1859, was opened. In July, 1860, he was elected Secretary of the Lancashire Infirm Secular Clergy Fund, succeeding the Very Rev. Canon Worthy, then made Treasurer ; at the close of 1885 he had held the office

for 25 years. On the 12th of March, 1865 he was elected by concursus Canon Theologian of the Diocese of Salford. On January 5th, 1886, he left his mission at Great Harwood, with its 1300 Catholics, and entered on the discharge of the responsible duties of President of St. Cuthbert's College, Ushaw, to which he had been appointed by the co-interested Bishops, on the resignation of the Right Rev. Mgr. Wrennall, D.D., on November 26th, 1885. On New Year's Day, 1886, the members of our Lady and St. Hubert's, Great Harwood, in testimony of the high esteem, love, and gratitude, which they entertained for him, presented Canon Dunderdale with an illuminated address and purse of gold containing ^"no. The address expressed the deep regret which they felt at his loss from amongst them as their pastor, friend, father, and guide, for more than eight and twenty years, heartily congratulating him at the same time on the important position which he had been elected to fill, of President of St. Cuthbert's College, Ushaw. It was not on the 5th, as above stated, but on the 7th of January, 1886, that Canon Dunderdale was able to leave Great Harwood, and assume the duties of his new and important appointment. Though he had lived for many years so far from Ushaw, he was intimately and affectionately known by all the professors, and was no stranger to the students. On his arrival, the heartiness of the welcome he received showed in a way not to be mistaken how he was regarded by those over whose interests he had come to preside. As soon as he entered the college, he was received with enthusiastic cheers, again and again renewed. When silence was obtained, Dr. Lennon, the Vice- President, read the following address from the professors and students: TO THE VERY REV. WfLLIAM DUNDERDALE, PRESIDENT OF ST. CUTHBERTS COLLEGE, U.SHAW, CANON OF SALFORD. VERY REV. AND DEAR SIR, In dutiful affection we vonture op this yoor flirt appearance amongst tumour Pn. - nl.Mit to bid you a and resi>ectfnl we!< i >v.U ;uid unln-i'.i'inu ob.-Ushaw to their 1'ridi'iit i- one of the proiide-t of our traditions. Hut in \ .''li^'lit with which we have heard of your appointment, and tin- joy with ir coiniir.r. an- more ardent and n i duty of it-w'lf could have evoked. Your great and vr . witli which you hav d' of l'-haw in the past, whilst they hare > .'HIT Ihely and lastiii',' gratitude, have 1,-d 11-1 to hope for a splendid fir when i: . We know, too, '

ML' in coiuiii'.' to ii-, we ki:or ; ;. .pur fiiend- are ni.i : .

\oiir i .iinniu'. and w 'jratetul for it. 'I'l nly return that it is in oiir powvr t,, make will !>> found .

mpport which we ihall gin -dd to he reputation uf tbe college. Aud whilst we pn>mie you our affectionate and unceasing submission, we assure you our constant and earnest prayer shall be that your tenure of the office you are entering upon may be long and illustrious, and unclouded by anxiety or sorrow. We are, Very R'-v. and d> ar Sir, your obedient servant. (Signed) JAMES LENNON (on behalf of the Professors), THOMAS REILLY (on behalf of the Students).

The President, who seemed unprepared for such an outbreak of irrepressible and spontaneous sympathy and was much moved by it, said that though he had parted with pain from friends most dear to him, it was with sincere joy and gladness that after an absence of thirty years on the mission he found himself once more an inmate of Alma Mater. He was glad of the opportunity of returning thanks to the superiors to whom he looked for help in the arduous task that had been im] upon him ; he thanked the students too, in whom he knew he should find true followers of their predecessors in their love for the college and their desire to be an honour to it. He had come to make their interests his interests, their sorrows his sorrows, their joys his joys, and he hoped that each one of them would find him a sincere friend. He trusted that if sacrifices had been made, not only on his part, but also on the part of others whom he had left behind, they would draw down a blessing on each one of them, that united they might be able to complete the good work they had in hand to the glory of God and the honour of Alma Mater. As soon as he had concluded his reply, all repaired to the College Chapel where the Te Deum was sung. Nothing could have been more enthusiastic or more universal than the joy at Ushaw that day. Canon Dunderdale's tenure of the office of President was however of short duration. Not many weeks after his installation, his health, which was not the strongest, began to give way under the onerous duties and responsibilities which had devolved upon him. Moreover, after an active missionary life, the seclusion of a college was far from being compatible with, or beneficial to his health's improvement. Hence for these and other reasons he found himself compelled to resign the dignity to which he had been raised. From Ushaw he retired to his former mission at Great Harvood, where he laboured with renewed zeal, enjoying the affection, gratitude, and respect of a faithful people. The Canon's brothers, John and Richard Dunderdale, both received their education at Ushaw. The health of the former, after ten years' zealous and successful labours at Barnard Castle, failed him, and he died at his father's house at Bolton, January 4th, 1870, at the age of thirty-seven years. He was buried at Our Lady and St. Huberts Great Harwood. The latter named brother, Father Richard Dunderdale, having been ordained priest, September 6th, 1856, commenced his missionary labours at St. Ann's, Manchester. He was next sent by Bishop Turner to found a new mission at Blackburn, where he first erected an iron church ; he then built St. .Mary's beautiful church, which from time to time has been embellished by the gifts of friends and the liberality of others. Father Dunderdale was twenty-seven years at Blackburn: he went there October 1 5th, 1860. Previous to his death, he had been for some time in weak and delicate health. On the morning of the 9th of August, he calmly passed away at the age of fifty-eight years. The funeral obsequies took place at St. Mary's, Blackburn, at which the Bishop of Salford, and upwards of eighty of the deceased's fellow priests assisted. The Bishop preached ; the Very Rev. Canon Dunderdale sang the Requiem Mass. His remains were then conveyed to Great Harwood, and interred in a vault by the side of his younger brother, the Rev. John Dunderdale, at Our Lady and St. Hubert's. The Rev. Richard Dunderdale was a priest of blameless life and manners " placnit Deo, et inventus est Justus" devoted to his duties and the spiritual welfare of his flock, to whom he was much endeared, and five hundred of whom, the Sunday but one after his funeral, paid a visit to his grave, at Great Harwood. The grave had scarcely closed over his deceased brother when Canon Dunderdale, whose state of health for some time past had not been very satisfactory, was overtaken by sickness, which terminated fatally, and cut short his useful life. Having borne with exemplary patience and resignation his protracted illness, and fortified with the rights of holy Church, the Canon breathed forth his soul in peace on the morning of Sunday, October 2nd, the Feast of the Must Holy Rosary. On the day previous he attained the age of sixty years, thirty of which he had passed at Great Harwood, labouring with tireless /cal for the salvation of souls, and the advancement of religion. God be gracious to him ! His flock, his friends, and fellow priests lament his departure; but let them take comfort "Bead mortui qui in Dsmino moriuntur." He has departed from their midst, and gone to

" Where fret and fear, and toil and troubling cease,

And knows at last what joy it is to live,

Where life is love, love immortality,

And perfect peace God's last best gift to give."

As the Bishop of Salford observed in his discourse at the funeral of the Canon, Canon Dunderdale had proved himself a model parish priest, and no greater need of praise could be given to a priest ; he was also in every way a model of order, regularity, and attention to duty. Indeed he (the Bishop) knew not where to turn to replace him. During his last illness, a crucifix, blessed by the Pope, with a plenary indulgence attached for the hour of death, along with his Rosary, was his constant companion. The body of the deceased was laid to rest by the side of his two brothers, Revs. John and Richard Dunderdale, in the cemetery attached to the beautiful church of Our Lady and St. Hubert. There was a very numerous attendance of the Salford diocesan clergy at the funeral. The Right Rev. Mgr. Wrennall, D.D., the Right Rev. Mgr. Gillow, Ushaw College, and the Very Rev. Canon Carr, V.G. , of Liverpool, were also present on the mournful occasion.

Childhood is looked upon as the happiest time of life. Is that always true? No, only a few have a happy childhood. The idealization of childhood originated in the old literature of the privileged. A secure, affluent, and unclouded childhood, spent in a home of inherited wealth and culture, a childhood of affection and play, brings back to one memories of a sunny meadow at the beginning of the road of life. The grandees of literature, or the plebeians who glorify the grandees, have canonized this purely aristocratic view of childhood. But the majority of the people, if it looks back at all, sees, on the contrary, a childhood of darkness, hunger and dependence. Life strikes the weak – and who is weaker than a child?" Leon Trotsky, My Life

Location : Lahore, Pakistan

Пожар в селе Шахманово Нижегородской области в День Победы 9 мая 2014 года

Kalix, April 28, 1986: All of a sudden Sweden melted and I found myself in the Garden of Eden. No kidding. Today it got up to +10ºC. There's still snow on the ground in lots of places, but much of it has melted now. Parched-dry streets streaked with rivulets of flowing water! Mirror-like pools in people's front yards, reflecting a brilliant sky and an unclouded sun. The wind could be chilly, but you only felt the wind on certain streets or on a certain side of the building. And out of the wind it was warm. I lay down on a park bench and slept. Outside! Unbelievable.

The Rigs o' Barley

(Robert Burns)

It was upon a Lammas night,

When corn rigs are bonie,

Beneath the moon's unclouded light,

I held awa to Annie;

The time flew by, wi tentless heed;

Till, 'tween the late and early,

Wi sma' persuasion she agreed

To see me thro the barley.

Chorus:

Corn rigs, an barley rigs,

An corn rigs are bonie:

I'll ne'er forget that happy night,

Amang the rigs wi Annie.

The sky was blue, the wind was still

The moon was shining clearly.,

I set her down, wi right good will,

Amang the rigs o barley:

I ken't her heart was a' my ain;

I lov'd her most sincerely;

I kiss'd her owre and owre again,

Amang the rigs o barley.

Chorus:

I lock'd her in my fond embrace;

Her heart was beating rarely:

My blessings on that happy place,

Amang the rigs o barley!

But by the moon and stars so bright,

That shone that hour so clearly!

She ay shall bless that happy night

Amang the rigs o barley.

Chorus:

I hae been blythe wi comrades dear;

I hae been merry drinking;

I hae been joyfu gath'rin gear;

I hae been happy thinking:

But a' the pleasures e'er I saw,

Tho three times doubl'd fairly

That happy night was worth them a',

Amang the rigs o barley.

Meaning of unusual words:

Rigs=narrow strip of land, ridge

Lammas=legal quarter day on 1 August

tentless heed=without a care

ken't=knew

gath'rin gear=earning money

Reaching for the cigarette!

The "CHECKERBARRNIES" of Rimini

南1種イ8側61～63、70～72番

サー・ヒュー・フレイザー, ヒュー・フレーザー

外交官, 駐日英国特命全権公使

Stone coffin of Sir Hugh Fraser, K.C.M.G.

1837.02.22 - 1894.06.04

===============================

Here rests Hugh Fraser of the House of Balmain in Scotland.

British Minister in Japan Son of Sir John Fraser, K.C.M.G. and of Selina his wife. Born at Stede Hill, Kent Feb 22 1837, Entered Queen's Service Jan 15 1855 Fell asleep in Christ Jun 4 1894

Erected by his wife and family and by the members of Her Majesty's diplomatic and consular services in Japan.

*Stede Hill, Harriestham, Kent.

===============================

[from a newspaper article]

MR. FRASER'S FUNERAL.

THE funeral of Mr. FRASER, H.B.M.'s Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary in Japan, took place on the 6th inst. The body lay in state throughout Tuesday afternoon, and was visited by a great concourse of mourning friends, among whom were the Japanese Ministers of the Crown and the Foreign Representatives. The floral tributes sent were numerous and beautiful; they filled the whole vestibule and hall, as well as the principal salon, where the coffin lay. It had been announced that the cortege would leave the Legation at 3 o'clock, and long before that time hundreds of the principal residents of Tokyo, official and private, as well as a large number of the British residents of Yokohama, had assembled.

Excellent arrangements having been made, owing to the forethought of Mr. R. PAGET, Secretary of the Legation, Mr. J. H. LONGFORD, H.M.'s Acting Consul, and other members of the staff, all confusion was avoided. The Japanese Ministers of State did not proceed to the Legation — the programme being that they should go direct to the church — but the deceased Minister's colleagues were all there, as was every British subject in Tokyo, together with nearly all the leading members of the Yokohama British community and not a few of other nationalities. It had been hoped that a contingent from the Navy would be in attendance, but although H.M.S. Centurion was ordered from Kobe to Yokohama at full speed, she did not arrive in time.

Why the simple, less expensive, and more expeditious plan of bringing up a force of Marines by train was not resorted to, we do not know, but doubtless there were good reasons for not adopting that alternative. Except as a matter of national sentiment and appearance, however, the absence of British troops did not signify, the duties they would have performed in carrying the coffin to and from the hearse at the Legation, the church, and cemetery, being taken by parties of British residents.

That part, and some other details, of the ceremony were carefully and zealously arranged by Mr. J. CONDER. Precisely at 3 o'clock the coffin was carried out and placed in the hearse, but owing to the great number of persons present a start was not effected for some minutes. It proved impossible to pack into, and hang on, the hearse the multitude of floral wreaths and other tributes, and with difficulty could those remaining be piled in another large carriage lent by the German Minister.

The church was reached at a little past 4 o'clock. The steep approach and the narrow road presented serious difficulties for the great crowd of carriages that followed the hearse, but the police exercised admirable control, and not a semblance of a hitch occurred. Within the church, a tiny building, never planned for such imposing ceremonies, very little space was available. When seats had been reserved for the representatives of the EMPEROR and EMPRESS, the Japanese Ministers of State and the Foreign Chefs de Mission, scarcely any room remained.

The service — full choral — was performed by the Very Rev. Bishop BICKERSTETH [Edward Bickersteth 1850-1897, Bishop of South Tokyo], assisted by Mr. CHOLMONDELEY [Lionel Berners Cholmondeley 1887-1921], the whole of the St. Andrew's staff, as well as Mr. FRANCIS and the Trinity Church clergy and choir. The singing was excellent, and the reading of the ritual being partly reserved for the cemetery, an overlong detention at the church was avoided.

— The Japan Weekly Mail, June 9, 1894, p.693.

===============================

[Obituary]

DEATH OF MR. FRASER.

"Along the cool sequestered vale of life

"They kept the noiseless tenor of their way."

MR. HUGH FRASER, Her Majesty's Representative at the Court of Japan, expired on the evening of the 4th inst. at a quarter to nine o'clock. He had lingered for several days in a condition that left no room for hope, and that must have reached a fatal terminal ion sooner but for the exceptional vitality and high courage of the sufferer. The illness commenced only some sixteen days before death, and had been preceded by no disquieting indications of any kind. From an early period, however, its grave character was recognised. The physicians in attendance diagnosed the necessity of two operations, but the possibility of performing the second was dependent on results unhappily not brought about by the first. Instead of recovering strength, as had been hoped, the patient sank steadily, retaining almost to the last an unclouded intellect and meeting the end with fortitude and resignation.

Mr. FRASER entered the Diplomatic Service in January, 1855, and was only fifty-seven at the time of his death. He saw considerable service in the East, having been Second Secretary in the Legation in Peking from January, 1867 to February, 1871, and Secretary of the same Legation from February, 1874 to November, 1879. His promotion from Minister Resident and Consul-General at Santiago to be Envoy Extraordinary, Minister Plenipotentiary and Consul-General at Tokyo, took place on April 30th, 1888, and he arrived in the latter city to take charge of the Legation in March, 1889.

Mr. FRASER was one of those rare men who, with abilities of the highest order and perfectly balanced judgment, live lives of perpetual self-effacement and find their highest reward in a conscientious sense of duty faithfully discharged. ...

— The Japan Weekly Mail, June 9, 1894, p.693.

=======================================

[ Notes on Sir Hugh Fraser ]

Born : Stede Hill, Harriestham, Kent, England

Father : Sir John Fraser, K.C.M.G. (d.1864), Secretary to the Government of the Ionian Islands

Mother : Selina Charlotte (d.1882), daughter of William Baldwin of Stede Hill

Wife : Mary (1851-1911), daughter of Marion Crawford

Children : 1) John Fraser (1875-1931)

2) Hugh Crawford Fraser (1877-1915)

adopted dau. Katharine Lucy Fraser (1871-1938)

[yc]

青山霊園／東京都港区

撮影：河野利彦（2015/03）

bad weather now and I have think of some yellow and blue.........

hb.cult.bg/ps/?seek=03.context&and=pn187&from=188...

From the website: You cannot change fate. However, you can rise to meet it, if you so choose.

Sheer brick red with a slight brown undertone.

Ingredients: coconut oil, candelilla wax, jojoba oil, carnauba wax, red #40, iron oxide, castor oil, tocopherol, flavor.

Comes in a 0.15 oz round silver tube.

Personal Comments: I have a pretty large Shiro collection, and I can count the number of products that have disappointed me on a single hand. Unfortunately, the count just went up by one. As you can see from the swatches, this doesn't build up in the slightest, and it doesn't change the color of my lips at all. It feels nice on and will make a great lip balm, but if I want anything resembling color on my lips, this won't fit the bill.

This shade is based on San's mask from Princess Mononoke. Though a green shade based on the Forest Spirit would have been really fun, this is a great interpretation of one of the film's beautiful costume pieces.

www.indieknow.net/2014/04/collection-spotlight-shiros-new...

Kalix, April 28, 1986: All of a sudden Sweden melted and I found myself in the Garden of Eden. No kidding. Today it got up to +10ºC. There's still snow on the ground in lots of places, but much of it has melted now. Parched-dry streets streaked with rivulets of flowing water! Mirror-like pools in people's front yards, reflecting a brilliant sky and an unclouded sun. The wind could be chilly, but you only felt the wind on certain streets or on a certain side of the building. And out of the wind it was warm. I lay down on a park bench and slept. Outside! Unbelievable.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Dana Cunningham, an aviation engineer from Air Station Traverse City, looks at a fuel sample from an MH-65C Dolphin helicopter at Air Facility Waukegan, Ill., July 31, 2013. Fuel samples must be “free and clear”- free of any debris and unclouded by water. U.S. Coast Guard photo by auxiliarist Jonathan Roth.

And in the shadowless unclouded glare

Deep blue above us fades to whiteness where

A misty sealine meets the wash of air.

www.mobli.com/post/100854493

Bog flowers at Splinter Hill Preserve.

St Pancras Railway Station & Midland Grand Hotel, Euston Road, London N1, 1865-76.

For the Midland Railway Company.

By Sir George Gilbert Scott (1811-1878).

Grade l listed.

A misty sea-line meets the wash of air.

You can't help but think in poetic quotes in Ostafyevo, a manorhouse which saw Russia's greatest writers within its walls and on its winding paths, including Pushkin. Oh, by the way, here's another one: "A brilliant azure lights the sky, And still transparent to the eye The naked woods show downy green." (from Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin)

Zetland Lifeboat Museum, Redcar

"Grangemouth in Scotland was founded in 1768 by Sir Lawrence Dundas as a result of the construction of the Forth and Clyde Canal. His grandson, also Lawrence, was created Earl of Zetland on the occasion of Queen Victoria's coronation in 1838 and it was his son Thomas, the 2nd Earl, who had provided the money for the construction of the town's original place of worship and who, at the time of The Great Disruption, had sided with the Free Church."

www.bygoneboozers.co.uk/post/back-on-dry-land?postId=6c14...

Redcar & Saltburn News 9th May 1873.

DEATH OF THE EARL OF ZETLAND

We deeply regret to announce the death of the Earl of Zetland, which took place on Tuesday, a little before 11 a.m., at Aske Hall, Richmond.

His Lordship has been in a somewhat precarious condition of health for the last few years from the result of an accident, by which he was all but disabled from walking. Notwithstanding this his Lordship’s general health was good and his mind unclouded to the last. Last week, preparations were being made for his Lordship’s usual journey to London, and on Sunday last the Earl was in his usual health and spirits. On Monday morning, however, he awoke in a very exhausted condition, and Dr. Carter, of Richmond, was summonsed to Aske, and Sir William Gull was telegraphed for. When the latter arrived about midnight, he did not consider his patient without hope, and hopes were raised which were speedily disappointed. About 10 a.m. on Tuesday, matters became worse, and at 10.40, life became extinct. The deceased Earl was born in 1795, and is consequently 78 years of age. His Lordship’s father was created Earl of Zetland in 1838. The deceased Earl, married in 1823, Sophia Jane, daughter of Sir Hedworth Williamson, Bart, who died in 1865, by whom he had no issue. The title and estates devolve upon Lawrence Dundas, Esq., now Earl of Zetland, was born in 1844, and married in 1871, to Lady Lilian Lumley, third daughter of the Earl and Countess of Scarborough. The late Earl was educated at Harrow and at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he took his M.A. degree in 1814, the year before the battle of Waterloo. His Lordship was created a Knight of the Garter last year. Up to a recent date he was Lord Lieutenant and Custos Rotulorum of the North Riding, which offices he resigned and was succeeded by the Marquis of Ripon. He was Grand Master of the Freemasons of England for more than a quarter of a century, succeeding the Duke of Sussex in 1843, and, resigning office in 1869 was succeeded by the Marquis of Ripon.

The Noble Earl was a liberal in politics, and a member of the Church of England; he was a great patron of education and of the industries on his large estates. The schools at Redcar, and more recently the gift of ground for a cemetery, and £1000 towards the necessary buildings, are examples in Redcar of his Lordship’s magnificence. The new church at Marske, though commenced by subscription, was built chiefly at Lord Zetland’s expense, at a cost of £6000; and on all parts of his property judicious and liberal patronage of education, hospitals, and institutions tending to benefit of the community, marked by his Lordship’s career.

Lord Zetland was consistent friend and patron of the turf, being fond of horses he bred and ran them for the love of sport, and his usual conscientious and honourable spirit was manifested in this as in all other matters.

The Noble Earl’s remains will be interred in the family Vault at Marske, on Monday next, at 1 p.m. We understand that a number of the tradesmen of Redcar have signified their intention of closing their places of business from 11 till 2 on that day as a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased, and we hope this will be general."

The Redcar and Saltburn-by-the-Sea Gazette 27th June 1873

THE ZETLAND FAMILY

"A notification, dated Whitehall 14th June, appears in the London Gazette, to the effect that Her Majesty has been pleased to ordain and declare that John Charles Dundas, Esq., M.P. for Richmond, and Her Majesty’s Lieutenant of the shires of Orkney and Zetland, William Fitzwilliam James Dundas., Esq. Cospatrick Thomas Dundas, Esq., Harriet Emily Dundas, Mary Dundas, Margaret Matilda Dundas, Charlotte Jane Dundas, Laura Octavia Dundas, and Alice Dundas, spinsters, the brothers and sisters of Lawrence, now Earl of Zetland, shall henceforth have, hold, and enjoy the same title, place, pre-eminence, and presedebce, as if their late father, John Charles Dundas, has survived his elder brother Thomas, second Earl of Zetland, and had thereby succeeded to the title and dignity of Earl of Zetland. This royal order and declaration is to be recorded in Her Majesty’s College of Arms."

The Cleveland Standard 7th January 1933, and the Yorkshire Archaeological Society of which he was a member.

"The Dowager Marchioness of Zetland by Hugh W. Cook. Redcar

When I called at Marske Hall, that stately old Jacobean mansion, a few days ago, I was most cordially invited by the kind hearted Dowager Marchioness of Zetland, and after a very homely talk with her I was conducted around the hall by her lady ship, whose knowledge of the history of the mansion is most remarkable and accurate.

The dowager lady pointed out to me the most interesting and historical parts of Marske Hall, which since the death of her husband (the late Marquis of Zetland) about four years ago, has been her permanent home, and she is dearly loved and respected by all sections of the community.

The dowager lady married on August 3, 1871, and her son and heir, the present Marquis of Zetland resides at Aske Hall, near Richmond when he is residence in the North. This was also the former home of the dowager lady, and is one of the oldest mansions in England. It dates back to the Saxon period, and is mentioned in Doomsday Book as “Asse.”

Her ladyship is keenly interested in ambulance work and is a Dame Grace of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. "Both the Order of St John and the British Red Cross Society have done some very good work and are still doing it," remarked Lady Zetland.

The late Lord Zetland (and the present Lord) always had a great interest in Redcar and I am sure that the Dowager Marchioness can claim to have an almost equal interest in Coatham, as she is the direct lineal descendant of the lords Lumley, who for many generations in the middle ages were lords of the manor of Kirkleatham. They owned most of the property in Kirkleatham and Coatham.

The lordship of these places and the property came into the Lumley family in 1374 on the death of Thomas Thwenge, clerk to the Holy Orders, and Rector of Kirkleatham.

This noble family, of which the Earl of Scarborough of Sandown Park and Lumley Castle, the Dowager lady’s brother – is also a member, is one of the oldest families in England and they settled around the North Country district long before the Norman Conquest.

Lady Zetland is referring to the ancient pedigree of her family laughingly remarked, “I think history goes back nearly to the days of Adam.”

Her Ladyship is the third daughter of Richard, ninth earl of Scarborough, and is well-known all around Aske, Richmond, Marske and Redcar for her charitable and kindly deeds, as she has always given to the poor and needy.

A Fairy Godmother

She is a real "Fairy Godmother" to the people of Marske and always happy when amongst them.

Place of worship, concerts, hospitals, nursing homes, and everything organised for the poor and needy always cordially supported by the kindly heart of the dowager lady. "We must do what we can for the most unfortunate ones, and there are many in Marske alone just now," stated Lady Zetland to me.

Her ladyship paid a high comment to Redcar and the wonderful enterprises carried out there during the last few years, which is further evidence of the interest she takes in the welfare and prosperity of the North Yorkshire Borough.

The noble family of Dundas, into which the dowager lady married into in 1871, is a very old and historic Scottish family, but the Marske and Redcar property passed by purchase into the hands of the family about 150 years ago.

Upleatham Hall was the former Cleveland seat of the family, but it was demolished over 30 years ago, and only a few traces of this once commodious mansion now remain. After its demolition The Marquis of Zetland took over Marske Hall as the Cleveland seat and here house parties were usually entertained by the late Marquis and the Marchioness for Redcar and Stockton races and grouse shooting.

A Delightful Home

Marske Hall the delightful old-world mansion was built about 1650 by Sir William Pennyman Bart.

It is a neat commodious mansion, and on the front I notice are two shields, one bearing the arms of Pennyman and Atherton the other the arms of Pennyman viz., a chevron, between three arrow heads.

On Sir William Pennyman dying without issue the matter came to the Lowthers, who sold it to the Dundas family, ancestors of the Marquis of Zetland.

Marske Hall, however is not on the original site, as a mansion at one period stood in a field just south of Marske station, where the broken ground still testifies to the buried foundations.

An assignment of the dowager of Dame Joan Fauconberge, dated October 26, 1408, mentions this old hall and through this deed we catch a glimpse of the surroundings of the older hall.

The Dowager Lady Zetland has just celebrated her 81st birthday, but in spite of this she bears her years very lightly, and she assures me she enjoys very good health and keeps fairly active.

On the conclusion of my visit, her ladyship pointed out to me the beautiful carved entrance-arch just inside the hall, which is a most exquisite piece of workmanship, and still bears the arms of the Pennymans. Some very fine stained glass window glass was also pointed out to me, some of which came from Cromwell’s House at Loftus. To me all these were exceptionally interesting.

I sincerely trust this good kind hearted unassuming titled lady will be spared to reside many more years at the beautiful old Jacobean mansion and amongst the people who love her so well.

In her younger days the dowager lady was affectionately known as the "lovely Lady Lilian Lumley,” a title which I should say most ably befitted her.

The family consisted of two sons and two daughters, i.e. the present Earl of Zetland, the Hon. G. Dundas, the Countess Fitzwilliam, and Lady Southampton.

The Zetland coat of arms is Argent, a lion rampant gules, within a double tressure, flory, counterflory. The rest is a lion’s head affronted gules, encircled by a holly bush.

Her ladyship is an advocate of good living of good clean sport, and of all that’s best in English village life."

via Instagram ift.tt/2kLaXHY

Sir John Betjeman statue in St Pancras railway station, London, UK, by Martin Jennings.

The statue stands in a disc of Cumbrian slate, inscribed in two rings. The inner ring is Betjeman's name and dates and the words “Who saved this glorious station”. The outer ring contains the sixth stanza from the poem Cornish Cliffs: “And in the shadowless unclouded glare / Deep blue above us fades to whiteness where / A misty sea-line meets the wash of air.”

Снимок с самого начала утренней прогулки по Канавинскому мосту через реку Ока в Нижнем Новгороде в мае 2014 года.

Фотография сделана 20 мая 2014 года в ходе пешей прогулки от района Нижегородской ярмарки по Канавинскому мосту в исторический центр Нижнего Новгорода (район Речного вокзала и Строгановской церкви на Рождественской улице города).

В начале мая 2017 года на площади Минина и Пожарского в Нижнем Новгороде в рамках подготовки парада 9 мая состоялся прогон военной техники. Снимки сделаны на одной из центральных улиц Нижнего Новгорода, которая примыкает к этой площади — Верхне-Волжской набережной, простирающейся вдоль волжского откоса, а также непосредственно на площади Минина и Пожарского.

9 мая 2017 года у стен Нижегородского кремля прошёл традиционный праздничный парад войск нижегородского гарнизона. В Параде приняли участие военнослужащие и военная техника.

John William Waterhouse's The Lady of Shalott, 1888 (Tate Gallery, London)

One of my favorite paintings at the Tate Gallery from daily walks along the Thames river. Painted by James William Waterhouse from a poem by Lord Tennyson.

In this picture, the Lady of the Shalott has broken her curse and is free. She has escaped her self kept fortress and takes a boat ride with life down the river.

"...And down the river's dim expanse

Like some bold seer in a trance,

Seeing all his own mischance—

With glassy countenance

Did she look to Camelot.

And at the closing of the day

She loosed the chain, and down she lay;

The broad stream bore her far away,

The Lady of Shalott."

John William Waterhouse, The Lady of the Shalott. 1888. Tate Gallery, London. pre-Raphaelite painting. Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–1892). The Lady of the Shalott. 1833, 1849. The poem is Lord Tennyson's Arthurian studies of the artist and the dangers of personal isolation.

A few chosen stanzas with notes.

The Lady of Shalott lives in the island castle of a river which flows to Camelot. A castle of isolation.

And by the moon the reaper weary,

Piling sheaves in uplands airy,

Listening, whispers, " 'Tis the fairy

The Lady of Shalott."

The Lady of Shalott is cursed, and compelled to weave a magic web without looking outside her walls to the world. She works and watches reflections of Camelot through her mirror as she weaves.

She knows not what the curse may be,

And so she weaveth steadily,

And little other care hath she,

The Lady of Shalott.

One day the Lady of the Shalott watches Sir Lancelot ride past her window.

All in the blue unclouded weather

Thick-jewell'd shone the saddle-leather,

The helmet and the helmet-feather

Burn'd like one burning flame together,

As he rode down to Camelot.

The lady, inspired by Lancelot, stops weaving. She looks out her window toward Camelot, thus breaking her curse.

Out flew the web and floated wide-

The mirror crack'd from side to side;

"The curse is come upon me," cried

The Lady of Shalott.

She leaves her tower in a boat with her name. Down the river to Camelot, she dies floating in the waters before the palace.

There, standing above the knights who see her, is Lancelot.

"Who is this? And what is here?"

And in the lighted palace near

Died the sound of royal cheer;

And they crossed themselves for fear,

All the Knights at Camelot;

But Lancelot mused a little space

He said, "She has a lovely face;

God in his mercy lend her grace,

The Lady of Shalott."

2005.06.15 - Donosti

Sunset serie

====For Karaoke Group====

Zerraila de Ken7.

Uhm... más que por la música por la letra...

Por eso la pongo la original y traducida ;)

=======================

Zerraila

Koloreak preso bizi dira egunez.

hala ere gauez, ihes egiten dute hegan eta lo dagoen jendearen ametsetan sartzen dira, ordu batzuetan besterik ez bada ere, libre bizitzeko.

Hargatik izaten dira ametsak hain bizi.

Egunak ez du oraindik argitu baina oskarbi dago zerua.

Pentsa, inor gutxik daukala bere herriaren egunsentiaz gozatzeko aukerarik.

Ireki ba begiak jaiotzear dagoen egun berrirako,

Jarri gaitezen zirrikitutik harago begira, sarrailatik haragoko argira, gure bidean.

Cerradura

Los colores viven presos de día.

Pero por la noche, se escapan volando y forman parte de sueños de gente dormida, para vivir en libertad, por lo menos unas horas.

Por eso, los sueños suelen ser tan vivos.

Todavía no ha amanecido, pero el cielo esta despejado.

Piensa que poca gente tiene la oportunidad de gozar del amanecer de su pueblo.

Abre pues bien los ojos al nuevo día que esta por amanecer.

Pongámonos a mirar más allá de las rendijas, a la luz que esta más allá de las cerraduras, en nuestro camino.

The lock

The colours live prisoner during the day.

However, they escape flying during the night and get into people’s dreams to live free, even if it’s just for a couple of hours.

Because of that, dreams are so bright.

The day hasn’t begun yet but it is unclouded.

Think, few have the opportunity to see the daybreak of their nation.

Open your eyes to the new day.

Let’s look through the cracks, to the light that's further than the lock, in our way.

Living and a Dead Faith

The Lord receives his highest praise

From humble minds and hearts sincere;

While all the loud professor says

Offends the righteous Judge's ear.

To walk as children of the day,

To mark the precepts' holy light,

To wage the warfare, watch, and pray,

Show who are pleasing in His sight.

Not words alone it cost the Lord,

To purchase pardon for His own;

Nor will a soul by grace restored

Return the Saviour words alone.

With golden bells, the priestly vest,

And rich pomegranates border'd round,

The need of holiness expressed,

And called for fruit as well as sound.

Easy indeed it were to reach

A mansion in the courts above,

If swelling words and fluent speech

Might serve instead of faith and love.

But none shall gain the blissful place,

Or God's unclouded glory see,

Who talks of free and sovereign grace,

Unless that grace has made him free!

~~William Cowper

Just an adolescent in 1946, I went to sign my name on the underside of the sky during a fantastic “realistico-imaginary” journey. That day, as I lay on the beach at Nice, I began to hate the birds which occasionally flew in my pure, unclouded blue sky, because they tried to bore holes in my greatest and more beautiful work.

Excerpt from “Chelsea Hotel Manifesto,” in Overcoming the Problematics of Art: The Writings of Yves Klein, trans. Klaus Ottmann, 199.

Image: Yves Klein, "Le ciel au-dessus de Nice [The Sky Above Nice]", published in ZERO, 1961. © 2010 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADAGP, Paris. Courtesy Yves Klein Archives

I was welcomed here—clear gold

of late summer, of opening autumn,

the dawn eagle sunning himself on the highest tree,

the mountain revealing herself unclouded, her snow

tinted apricot as she looked west,

Tolerant, in her steadfastness, of the restless sun

forever rising and setting.

~Denise Levertov

Part of a poem written about moving to the Pacific Northwest...it felt apt for my homecoming. The Mountain dominates everything, and is an integral part of life here. It's no wonder that the natives here gave her a name and a story and a reason for her height.

“The body is peculiar,” the large inspector said. “The main part is the trunk, main referring in this context to its central location and principal function as virtual anchor and primary warehouse of the body’s other parts and important organs, respectively.”

Erika moved her scarlet brooch from her left breast to her right breast.

“Stuck onto the trunk are the limbs, two that come out of the upper trunk via the shoulders and hang down alongside, and two that come straight down from the bottom,” the large inspector continued, brushing a white powder from his shoulders, left then right.

Archie moved his nearer arm to a position that gave it a small frisson of contact with the larger instance of Clio’s two taught triceps.

“Things are not as bad as they seem,” the small inspector said. “That is my first point. It is based on the principle that things are never what they seem.”

Rafe removed his wallet, counted his money, then returned his wallet to his pocket. A dog barked, another dog answered.

The large inspector said, “Not counting ornamentation and accessories, that leaves the head and feet, which are at opposite ends of this trunk-anchor complex.”

The small inspector said, “Which means that things may really be as bad as they are and even worse than they seem but are never just as they appear.”

Hildie lit a cigarette, extinguished the match, and handed it to Tildie, who deposited it in a sandwich bag she removed from her purse.

“Inside the trunk,” the large inspector said, “we have wires, organs, tubing, slosh. A real quagmire.”

Erika accepted a cigarillo from Claude, then she accepted a light from Joseph, an ashtray from Morton, a small brandy from Archie, a peppermint lifesaver from Cyril, two neatly-folded twenty-dollar bills from Rafe, and a devastating scowl from Swift.

A third dog barked. It was a bark that extended the idea of barking into lands unknown. It was very loud.

“The description of the body I have rendered here aligns with perceptible fact and is unclouded by sentiment or obscurantist drivel,” the large inspector said, turning toward the mantel and placing one hand there. The right.

The small inspector said, “When I hear the word trunk, I always think of elephants and those little cookies shaped like an elephant that came in a small box with a string handle and the pictures of animals painted on the side riding in a train.”

The large inspector turned from the mantel and said, “I remember those cookies. If you held one in your mouth, on the tongue between the tongue and the upper palate and let your saliva drench it, the sensation was very pleasant as you felt the cookie dissolve and release its modest flavor into your mouth.”

Erika mashed out her cigarillo. “I wonder if you can still buy such cookies,” she said.

Everyone looked at the large inspector.

The large inspector went in search of the Yellow Pages.

And dreaming eyes of wonder!

A bit of nonsense I put together in honour of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, aka Lewis Carroll... born 187 years ago today ♥

The poet holds his hat as he gazes up at the roof of the station. The statue stands on a plinth of Cumbrian slate with words from some of Betjeman's poems inscribed in the base.

The central text reads:

And in the shadowless unclouded glare, Deep blue above us fades to whiteness where, A misty sealine meets the wash of air.

John Betjeman, 1906 – 1984, poet, who saved this glorious station.

St Pancras railway station, London

on Instagram instagr.am/p/SV81syvUCL/ at November 22, 2012 at 08:07PM