Learning became valuable, there are certain teachers that had a constant influence. They were interested in their subject and wanted to pass on their knowledge. Also learning became an escape or indeed an escape route. Either way I learned to respect knowledge but not be overawed by it. Life is not a brain game, though it can be a brain drain.
Filed under Short Stories
Thanks to Naj odak and Mike Zeller and BBC News Online for the Headline
Believe it or not a “Red List” of endangered crafts was created in 2017 to highlight skills that were being lost.
Glass Crystal Cutting was one of those crafts, unfortunately due to the recent rise in energy costs, a Company who employs these highly skilled crafts people has had to close down one of their furnaces, reduce people’s hours and cut non- essential staff, including the CEO who is now putting what would have been his salary towards keeping the business going. What would William Morris have thought?
The admirable CEO has said that there are contracts to keep the business going and that hopefully they can ride the storm. I wish them well.
Namaste and Thank You for Reading.🙏
Filed under Short Stories
Perhaps I should get a tee shirt with “One is not a solution” printed on it. Instead I’m replying to a dull uninterested computer automated prompt which has the advantage that it makes me use WordPress every day. We have a symbiotic relationship. “One is not a solution” and you can take whatever you like from that, I on the other hand have a good idea for a teeshirt.
Namaste and Thank You for Reading.🙏
Filed under Short Stories
Thanks to George Wright and BBC Online for the Headline
It’s a great relief to know that two French tourists who were visiting Iran three years ago have now managed to leave the Country after being imprisoned and finally being held under house arrest in the French Embassy in Tehran.
Oman has been involved in obtaining their release as well as significant efforts being made by the French Ambassador and his staff who are running the Embassy under which must be very difficult circumstances. The two French tourists were transported by car to the border with Azerbaijan in a diplomatic convoy accompanied by the French Ambassador.
They are slowly making their way back to France to be reunited with their loved ones. It is indeed a miracle that the French were able to achieve their release with the current situation in Iran .
Namaste and Thank You for Reading.🙏
Filed under Short Stories
Whatever moves you like to do , do them and enjoy and don’t overdo it.
Namaste and Thank You for Reading.🙏
Filed under Short Stories
Thanks to Lena-Zaharah Mohanmmed and BBC News Online for the Headline
“The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace” by Welsh composer Sir Karl Jenkins was voted as the most popular work in the Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026.
The piece is dedicated to the victims of the War in Kosovo and reflects on the devastation of conflict while expressing hope for Peace.
It is as relevant today as it was when it was orginally written.
Namaste and Thank You for Reading.🙏
Filed under Short Stories
Thanks to Abhishek Dey (Delhi) and BBC News for the Headline.
The precarious living that migrant workers from India who moved into the big cities for work.
Their hope was to raise money and support their families from the villages they were born and raised in, but with the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz it is very difficult for them to afford or even find the cooking gas they rely on to run their small tea making and street food businesses. Let alone be able to cook for themselves. Thus they are having to return home as they cannot support themselves and will be unable to support their families. They have no option to return home.
It seems such a sharp contrast to the “American Dream” where if you work hard and make an effort to achieve things then you will be rewarded. However, I hope things stabilise and the “migrant street traders” can return and continue running their enterprises in the hope of a better life for their families.
Namaste and Thank You for Reading.🙏
Filed under Short Stories
Dracula it is, and a passionate answer to the prompt. I salivate about that book and it never disappoints. Forget the remakes, the television series and the Christopher Lee and arty German Cinema creations. It’s the book that outdoes them all.
Given that anything by Victor Hugo in any format is also a salivating reading prospect.
Namaste and Thank You for Reading.🙏
Filed under Short Stories
Thanks to Bernd Debusmann Jr and Tom Bateman at the White House for BBC Online News
Apparently President Trump is not worried about being charged with “War Crimes” against Civilian Populations by destroying the infrastructure, hospitals, schools, transport , energy installations and homes in Iran. I suppose he’ll claim that it was Netanyahu’s doing and if push came to shove his hands are clean.
The President has advisors that tell him that he can keep his nose clean and still come out of this a hero, for showing strength and fortitude while the rest of the World looked on and didn’t “help”.
Frankly I am appalled at this situation. The human cost of this conflict is disgusting and it seems so unecessary.
India who is very much a Power Player in todays economic world has now been able to obtain Russian Oil, as sanctions have been lifted by America to supply it. Yet the sanctions were put in place for a reason and that reason has faded into obscurity. I wonder why? Seems there is no honour among thieves and abusers.
This Headline is something I can do nothing about , but I must say it upsets me and it should do you too.
Namaste and Thank You for Reading.🙏
Filed under Short Stories
Nothing wrong with a bit of playacting or creativity except when it takes over from the practicalities of real life.
There’s no one else I’d rather be as there is only one of me.
Namaste and Thank You for Reading. 🙏
Filed under Short Stories
thenotsomightyom 