Glorious Planet Earth
Another beautiful day in this delicate ecosystem
“Time exists so that everything doesn’t happen at once.
Space exists so that it doesn’t all happen to you.”
— Susan Sontag, writer
It is another glorious day on this great blue and green planet.
As I write, I welcome the bright light & sunny skies above Scotland and I am grateful for the beautiful sound of birdsong, nature’s soundtrack to our lives.
Today marks my 13,391st day on this “third rock from the sun” — a fleeting moment in the grand dance of time, yet still one with plenty to savour.
“She’s not a Branwen or Angharad, she’s not a long rooted, long versed story of lake or hill, she is a mover and a waker and a shaker, a loose-hipped Zanzibar priestess of the blown fuse of the sacred everything, a prophetic wanderer, even if her migrations take centuries to complete. She is a great clatter-bash of gnostic lightning. Wherever she is, she can remember a place before that. She has charisma in every setting.
In the morning her mind is full of fur and light.”
— The Five Fathoms by mythologist Martin Shaw
Still, I learn. Still, I seek. Today I had a go at learning to sing, which was rather fun. The mighty mosaic of life unfolds before me — animals and animations, cultures and cuisines, music and memories, people and places — mostly moving in harmony, sometimes clashing and colliding. Each encounter, a story. Each experience, a gift.
I feel blessed to have witnessed worship in many settings — the sacred stillness of the Golden Temple of Amritsar, the solemn majesty of the Great Mosque of Damascus, and the ancient rural Scottish serenity of Kemback Church in the Kingdom of Fife. These places, these moments, are echoes of something greater than ourselves.
To be part of a cause and community beyond oneself is among life’s greatest blessings. It humbles us, it liberates us and helps us all to shine brighter. It is the ‘The Cause of Humanity’, which my great great grandfather Walter Archer wrote so movingly about:
“It must be remembered that the song which the Angels sang on the first Christmas Day more than nineteen centuries ago was “Glory to God in the Highest” — not glory to the ruler of this or that mighty nation — “on Earth Peace” — not merely peace in the land of this or that nation — “goodwill towards men” — not merely goodwill amongst the people of this or that country, but to the whole human race.
In a word, the spirit of the message was — the cause of humanity.”
— Walter Edward Archer C.B. F.R.S.E., British Civil Servant
I am thankful for fresh air, thankful for clean water, thankful for family, friends & fun. I am grateful for music and dancing and celebrations!
Of course, one of the greatest joys in life can be good food, shared in good company.
Three of the most delicious things I ever tasted have been my mother’s lemon pudding using an old family recipe, a homemade rosewater & pistachio pavlova made by a natty Northern Irish man named Andrew and this beautiful handmade three-layered rose jelly, which a very accomplished friend made for New Year’s Eve. It was so good!
I also enjoy beans on toast or Welsh rarebit too!
During lockdown, I really enjoyed making this sweetcorn salsa to go with some green herb pancakes, with chili jam, coriander and feta. I don’t think I followed a recipe, I just made it up as I went along. A success!
A traditional afternoon tea is hard to beat, if you have a sweet tooth — and I’ll never forget the friend who made marshmallows from first principles for my birthday.
Thank you to all those who have taken the time, effort and skill to cook for me, I am very impressed and truly grateful. It is surely no coincidence that the word for friend — “companion”, “copain” — in so many language means someone we break bread with.
I love feta in omelettes. Such a pleasing taste.
I am appreciative of adventure, advice and art.
I believe there is still so much beauty to be found on this planet — often, though not only, in the natural world.
Please take a look at these lovely Imprint Casts created by the talented Katie Eccles, whom I was lucky enough to go to school with. I wish a very good day to you all!
