Privacy … and the Garden of Eden
The question of privacy is a disturbing one, one that takes us right back to the Garden of Eden.
The need for privacy is an adult concept. It comes with the awareness of sin and evil – our own, which we know about and wish to hide – and that of others which we thrill to see laid bare, and yet expect to be protected from. It is the same for all of us.
Published in The Weekly Telegraph under the pseudonym George Mackenzie
The cold breath of Storm Emma reaches Cornwall
Should we go? Shouldn’t we go? Mad to go! Mad not to go! Outside the window the snow drifts … ominous and unsettled.
“If we can get out of here the middle looks quiet.”
“No storm here yet,” they assure us in St Ives.
From The Graphic – weekly newspaper 1879
This is copied from The Graphic – the bath routine looks interesting.
Forgotten Kingdom – Nine Years in Yunnan, 1939-48 by Peter Goullart
This is a travel book that unfurls like a lotus flower. It has happiness at its heart but is grown out of hardship in the steep-sided valleys of south-western China.
The decade is the 1940s and the location is the province of Yunnan, geographically cut apart from the rest of China and still webbed with tribes, traditions and traders.
Thoroughly read copy of The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
I know of slavery, of its shame and horror, and neither makes it my preferred topic when it comes to books. But this was a gift … so I began.
It was worth it.
Invitation to the reception held by the Chinese Embassy in London and the WWF-UK to mark the closure of China’s domestic ivory market
China has closed its domestic ivory market. The evening begins with speeches, each given to mark the giant step taken by China to protect the elephants of Africa.
Gargoyle on Gloucester Cathedral, England
Gloucester is a city with heart and a sense of self. It knows its bones, and lays them out with pride.
My desk – it’s been busy
Dear Reader,
In case you’re there, and wondering where I might be, this is an apology for the silence, and an explanation … two explanations. The first is sad, and the second is hopeful.
The site should be ready and gleaming by the end of the month. Meanwhile, I hope you have the time to do some browsing – The Phraser is open for that.
I look forward to getting back to you, and wish you good reading and good company … always!
Georgie
