*** A good word to live by: harmony
***I am reading right now (9.23.15) two books: 'Paris, He Said' by Christine Sneed and 'A Manual for Cleaning Women' by Lucia Berlin both of which I may want to comment further on after finishing. Let me say now that the former, I have put down several times, is superficially about a small segment of 'a' Paris art world but truly it's of the easy and ongoing unfaithfulnesses and untrustfulnesses among all in and around a group connected by a Paris art gallery. The second is a collection of stories doubtlessly heavily colored by Lucia's varied and many times difficult life. After reading her first story I see she is special and master of her own style. 1.16 Just noted that Lucia's collection has been chosen by the NYT as one of the ten best books of 2015.
10.22.15 Yesterday, being my birthday, was a good one with a family dinner at my oldest daughter Jeannie's home. While riding the Dial-a-Ride bus into town today to have lunch with Jeannie, I mentioned all this to my bus driver Susan. Riding with Susan back home she told me that on her lunch break she wrote 'Silly Happy Birthday Song to Phil' and emailed it to me. I've tried but so far I've not figured out how to place it on PD. Anyhow, lucky guy is me!
11.12.15 My God Almighty. This afternoon I turned on the TV and saw the horror in Paris. What is this world coming to.The mentality of those who perpetuate such hideous acts is totally and completely illogical and incomprehensible given my life and the world I live in. Where do we go from here?
*** The horrific Paris attacks have stunned me. Will I ever comprehend what motivates and drives people to carry out such unspeakable acts on innocent, unassuming individuals. Are they attempting to WHAT, WHY? And in a place as Paris? Paris, my favorite city, is a place I've always felt safe as I absorbed and imitated everyday life as a Parisian. It will take me a while, if ever, to come to grips with all this. Meanwhile, I will be going to this city, Paris, to walk its avenues, ride its metro, take in its magnificence, explore its dining and drinking experuences and all the rest of it every chance I get for the rest of my days.
*** "Shit happens."