It was Oscar Wilde who said that anyone who doesn’t judge by appearance is a fool. Well, Oscar, I hate to disagree with a fellow Irishman but the latter comment doesn’t necessarily hold water. We do judge on appearance, which is not to our credit. Furthermore, such an attitude doesn’t add credit to one’s bank account.
I have nothing against the Welsh. After all, as man and boy, I was blissfully happy in this beautiful land of someone else’s father. But not everyone agrees. Their most famous lyricist, Dylan Thomas once said, ‘Land of my Fathers? They are welcome to it.’
Was there ever more elegance and style than when women’s dress sense was further enhanced by fur stoles, veils and dress gloves. I am reminded of U.S. President Reagan’s wife Nancy Reagan when being received by the Pope. Wearing a veil this otherwise ordinary lady is transformed into an almost saintly figure.
The eyebrows of my cardiologist lifted when I conceded that I once smoked 40 cigarettes a day. Smiling, he then told me that had I said I had never smoked he wouldn’t have known. My lungs had completely recovered from the effects of 25-years of heavy smoking. My addiction started when I was a 16-year-old sailor and continued until I was 40-years-of-age.
I am much amused by a Hagar the Viking cartoon in which Lucky Eddie declares Norwegian girls as being the best. Hagar the sea bandit says, ‘Yes, but Bulgarian girls are pretty and they’re good cooks.’
Over far more years than I can count on your fingers and toes and mine, I was compelled to save wise or endearing quotations as I chanced upon them. As it was long before home computers or self-publishing was an option, I had no idea what I was going to do with them. Like the stuff in the attic I just could not bring myself to discard them.
European culture offers a feast of quality music that accompanies the more discerning on a journey from womb to tomb. Perhaps these suggestions will inspire you to explore and enjoy the finest music created by Europe’s most gifted musicians over centuries. Do feel free to YouTube or purchase any of the following titles that will familiarise you with music that will continue to enhance your life. Think of each track as a glass of sublime aphrodisiacal wine. I think you will return again and again.
Children under 6 years of age are as nature intends very good at memorising any information. It’s not news at all that the best and most pleasant way to develop children’s memory is poems and songs.
On 14 November 1907, the famous Swedish children’s writer Astrid Lindgren was born. She created such memorable characters as Pippi Longstocking, Emil i Lönneberga, Karlsson-on-the-Roof, the Six Bullerby Children, The Brothers Lionheart and many others.
I asked one of my friends who has crossed 70 and is heading to 80-years of age what sort of changes he is feeling in himself? He sent me the following very interesting lines, which I would like to share with you.
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