Listen to the most recent episode of my podcast: The Metaphor and the Chameleon https://anchor.fm/john-bartels/episodes/The-Metaphor-and-the-Chameleon-e20kaq1
The Metaphor and the Chameleon
Food for Thought
Freedom to Speak: Freedom to Hear
Listen to the most recent episode of my podcast: The freedom to speak includes the freedom to hear. https://anchor.fm/john-bartels/episodes/The-freedom-to-speak-includes-the-freedom-to-hear-e20d4ig
Sad News: Dear Kiera passed on at 5am today – See her last poem below
Please scroll right to the end as you read. Thank you.
RIP Kiera Cariad (Hera)
26.5.2012 Romania – 28.2.2023 England
KIERA’S LAST POEM
I sense the touch of cosmic wings
And hear these words, an angel sings…
“We are calling,
Calling you home “….
I am falling, falling
But not alone.
An Angel waits now by my side
Smiling too, she is my guide
I seem to awaken
Then gently taken….
Then up and away we fly
Passed the stars
Beyond the sky
Round the moon
Then through the sun
And there I see
The Holy One..
Arms outstretched
Greeting me………
But I’m a dog
This can’t be?
I had to gasp
I was surprised….
“ALL ARE EQUAL
WHO HAVE DIED
COME TO ME
MY DEAREST ONE
YOUR JOB ON EARTH
HAS BEEN WELL DONE”.
……Gently, drifting bathed in light
……Warm and cosy so ‘Good Night’.
End
Read Kiera’s amazing story here.
The Forest is Mourning – Kiera’s Tribute to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll
Please scroll down all the way.
Kiera in a forest glade From time immemorial forest glades have been revered as spiritual, sacred places. Places of healing and refuge. The quiet picture of Kiera was taken close to the time of Her Majesty’s passing. Hence the somber poem gifted to us by Kiera. But the poem is underpinned with hope and joy, the same hope Kiera’s wishes for us as she approaches “the Bar”.
THE FOREST IS IN MOURNING.
The Forest is mourning
Strange shadows pass
And yet not unseen
Trees hang their boughs
As their leaves weep
Everywhere silent
All seems asleep.
Arise our Dear Monarch
Rise to your glory
As we remember
This special story…
Honoured to live
In the time of your reign
And likes of yourself
We’ll not see again…
Please rest in peace
Now with THE ONE
And thank you dear Ma’am
For all you have done.
The Window: Have you seen it?
“The shortest essay in the recently rereleased collection, Confessions of a Heretic, is entitled “Effing the Ineffable.” In it, the late Roger Scruton speaks of the brief and indescribable glimpses we human beings are sometimes afforded of a world of meaning that seems to exist on a plane just outside of our reach. In these moments arising from contemplation or from the experience of great beauty, we sense that the deep mysteries of existence are somehow brought before our eyes, but they still defy our attempt at understanding. “When they occur it is as though, on the winding ill-lit stairway of our life, we suddenly come across a window, through which we catch sight of another and brighter world—a world to which we belong but which we cannot enter.””
Quote from Here
The Owl and the Rabbits: The Golden Rule*
Once upon a time, there was a wise old owl named Mary who lived in Richmond Park in London. One day, Mary gathered the rabbit family and explained to them the importance of the “golden rule.”
Mary told them that the golden rule is a principle that says “Treat others the way you would like to be treated.” She said that this is important because it means being kind, respectful, and fair to others.
She also added that when we treat others the way we would like to be treated, it makes everyone feel good and happy. And when we don’t follow the golden rule, it can cause problems and fights.
The rabbits listened to Mary and they understood the importance of following the golden rule. They realized that by treating others with kindness and respect, they could make the whole community a better and happier place. From that day on, the rabbits always followed the golden rule and lived in peace and harmony with the other animals in Richmond Park.
*Story created by AI with iteration
The Owl and the Rabbits: Sour Grapes*
Please scroll below pictures for the story.
Once upon a time, there was a wise old owl named Mary who lived in a big park called Richmond Park in London. One day, Mary gathered the rabbit family and told them a story about a fox who wanted to eat some grapes but couldn’t reach them. He got mad and said “those grapes are probably sour anyway.”
Mary explained that this story is about when you want something but can’t have it and then make an excuse for not getting it. She told the rabbits that it’s important to be happy with what you have and not to compare yourself to others. She encouraged the rabbits to be grateful for what they have and not to always focus on what they don’t have.
The rabbits listened to Mary and they learned a valuable lesson. They realized that it’s better to be happy with what you have than to always want more. From that day on, the rabbits were happy and content with what they had and Mary the wise owl was always there to guide them and tell them stories that taught them valuable lessons.
* AI Generated with iteration
The Owl and the Rabbits: Fast vs Slow*
Once upon a time, in a forest, there was a wise old owl named Mary. All the animals in the forest would come to her for advice and guidance.
One day, a group of young bunnies came to Mary and asked her to tell them a story. Mary thought for a moment. She remembered a story a wise man called Aesop told her. Mary began to speak.
“Once upon a time, there was a rabbit named Speedy and a turtle named Slowpoke,” she said. “Speedy was very fast and loved to brag about how fast he could run. Slowpoke, on the other hand, was slow but steady.
One day, Speedy decided to challenge Slowpoke to a race. He laughed and said, ‘There’s no way you can win, you’re too slow!’ But Slowpoke accepted the challenge.
The day of the race arrived and Speedy took off quickly, leaving Slowpoke behind. But Speedy got too confident and took a nap during the race. When he woke up, he saw Slowpoke crossing the finish line first.
The moral of the story is that slow and steady wins the race. Don’t be like Speedy and brag all the time. Instead, be like Slowpoke and work hard and you will be successful in the end.”
The young bunnies were very impressed and thanked Mary for the story. From that day on, they remembered the story of Speedy and Slowpoke and worked hard to achieve their goals.
*Story created using AI with iteration
Danielle Steel: No miracles only discipline.
“There are no miracles. There is only discipline” – Danielle Steel
Read this great article about Danielle Steel. What an amazing person!
Thanks for pictures: Paris :Chris Kadis AND San Francisco: Maarten Van Heuvel
The Holy Family
The Holy Family
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