WHO IS THIS GUY CALLED ARIEL?

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Sunday, January 15, 2006

GOTTA TAKE IT EASY, MY FRIENDS, SO HERE'S A REWORKING OF "TOUGH LOVE"

We went out to lunch with friends today, and didn’t get back home until seven o’clock, and so far I’m coping okay, so I guess I must be getting better. But not yet enough to sit for long at my keyboard: especially as it’s so wet and miserable here tonight. Plays hell with old bones. So, friends, I’m reposting a slightly reworked piece, which I hope you’ll like. I’ll be back in the swing soon, I hope. TOUGH LOVE It’s tough, loving you my love, for sometimes you’re as edgy and spiteful and mean as... Sign in to see full entry.

Saturday, January 14, 2006

TRUST, PART TWO (Final part )

Although, God willing, the journey upon which Rafael was to embark that very evening should be of but a few weeks duration, it would be fraught with peril. For in those parts where some powerful lord’s writ did not run; particularly in the fastnesses of the high sierras, bandoleros and slavers roamed at will. And war had flickered and flared like a grass fire between Rafael’s people: the Christians of the north, and the Moors of al Andalus since time out of mind. Spanish and Frankish Christian,... Sign in to see full entry.

Thursday, January 12, 2006

ARIEL'S NOT-SO-EXCELLENT ADVENTURE IN HOSPITAL

One must not be too melodramatic about my recent medical problems, and my resultant stay in hospital; or rather, hospitals, because after one night in Velez Malaga Hospital, I was transferred to the University Hospital in Málaga, where there are better facilities. Why I play down the drama is because I had no traumatic infarction; the kind of event that has one howling like a Dervish who’s leather Y fronts have shrunk in the sun, and performing gymnastics that even gymnasts can’t do. No,... Sign in to see full entry.

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

TRUST, PART ONE

In the year 1035 by the Christian reckoning, Rafael sat in his chamber in Lord Ahmed’s palace: perched on its lofty crag like some great couching beast, its narrow arrow slits glowering over the land and the distant Middle Sea, glittering like a scimitar: the snow capped peaks of Africa beyond – as beckoning and alluring as a sorcerer’s spell. Rafael laid aside his quill, sanded the parchment, and when the ink was dry, he blew it off and laid it aside. Captured by Moorish pirates while on a... Sign in to see full entry.

Monday, January 9, 2006

A HEARTFELT 'THANK YOU' TO ALL MY BLOGIT FRIENDS WHO SENT ME COMMENTS

I have remarked before in here how very fortunate I account myself for having a facility with words; an innate ability to select the appropriate phrase adequately to express the emotions of any given moment. I am doubly fortunate in that this does not stem from what Edward Gibbon, in his “Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire” refers to as ‘… the labours of an attentive education …’, for I left school at the age of 14 in 1945 with but a rudimentary education; and no qualifications whatsoever. But... Sign in to see full entry.

Saturday, January 7, 2006

LULLABY

Rest you now in peaceful slumber: no bad dream your sleep encumber. May no wandering wraith of Night your dear childhood’s dreams affright. Sleep, my little one, sleep. May Morpheus’s loving arms hold you safe from all Night’s harms. While my lady Moon walks the sky, there in calm contentment lie. Sleep, my little one, sleep. With my lute my watch I keep, guarding close your precious sleep: notes your tender ear to please, while you lie in Slumber’s ease. Sleep, my little one, sleep. All too... Sign in to see full entry.

Friday, January 6, 2006

TO A HEARTLESS LOVER

I sent you of late a floral token, as proof to you of vows unbroken: hoping it might your cold heart melt; this token of a love heartfelt. You say me that you love me fine: yet cruel lady you'll not be mine; while I must bide until Tomorrow; all my days are filled with sorrow. In Tomorrow lie Croesus' treasures: a glitter masking this day's pleasures; a smiling harlot clad in bright array; her smile makes wan this present day. Yearn not for Tomorrow's siren lure: live in this day, now dawning... Sign in to see full entry.

Thursday, January 5, 2006

AN TINY UPDATE ON ARIEL'S PROGRESS, AND A STORY

It’s a little depressing, how long it’s taking me to get over my heart problems, and I keep having to remind myself ( not that that’s necessary, ‘cos Lady Ariela does it for me! ) that I’m not exactly 21 any more. And as I’ve had five stents ( those are mesh tubes ) put into my arteries, to keep them open, I guess it will take some time for me to get back up to speed. And I haven’t forgotten my thank-you piece to you all; it’s just that I’m still too weak to sit at my computer for very long. But... Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, January 4, 2006

THE VILLAGE. A REPOST, 'COS I'M STILL ONLY FIRING ON TWO CYLINDERS. I THINK

Sorry about the weird spacing, folks: haven't got used to this new thingy yet. The car breasted a long slope, and Mark pulled into a slightly wider section of the road. High in an achingly blue sky the dark soot flakes of honey buzzards and eagles soared, while closer at hand the razor sharp sickles of the swallows and martins reaped the sky for its harvest of insects, their twitterings like the voices children at play in some infinitely far distant place. The air was filled with the harsh... Sign in to see full entry.

Saturday, December 31, 2005

ARIEL WISHES ALL HIS FRIENDS A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

… and to all those with loved ones absent, especially in the military, in Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere, my special good wishes. May they be safe, and be reunited with you soon. You are all very much in my thoughts, this eve of the new year, and I am sure that we all, each on our own maybe small way can – indeed will – make the world a better place with out tolerance; our friendship and affection, and our love for each other. Lady Ariela, Francie and I wish you all a happy and prosperous New... Sign in to see full entry.

Friday, December 30, 2005

NIGHT IN THE CITY. A RE-POST.

I'm unable to write much of any worth today ( again! ), so once more, I offer you a repost, which has been modified a little since I first posted it. I hope you'll like it. Many thanks for you continuing support, and interest in my work, and I haven't fogotten that the emotional and spiritual support that you've all given me lately deserves an appropriate piece to express my thanks. I muse in my window, gazing out over city sprawl stretching away to earth’s end and maybe – who knows? – beyond.... Sign in to see full entry.

Thursday, December 29, 2005

LA MATANZA, A RE-WORKING

I'm still unable to sit for long at my computer, so I offer this edited version of a piece that I posted some months ago. I hope you like it. The bridge that you would have seen here, had I been able to paste pictures, as I used to, ( I can't say that I'm very impressed with this new toolbar ) is in the mountains near our house, and it spans a long-disused railway that used to run from Malaga to Ventas de Zafarraya; about eight miles from where we live. The track runs from just above our house... Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

THIS REALLY IS ARIEL!!!! I AM HOME, BUT STILL WEAK

Unfortunately, some of you seemed to think that I was home yesterday, because Francie was making posts for me. At the earliest possible moment: tomorrow, I hope, I shall, write and thank you all for your wonderful and deeply moving comments while I was in hospital. If I can find words adequately to express my feeling, that is. But meanwhile, thank you all so much. I must rest now. Sign in to see full entry.

Monday, December 26, 2005

GRIM REAPER POSTPONED

Here follows a short missive from Ariel: "Hello Bloggers. I am still in hospital, fighting an heroic battle against death but, when I overcome, I shall return". So as you can see Ariel's feeling quite a lot better! You can tell that from the endless complaints that he's making: from being bored to his hair being uncomfortable! Today he has had an x-ray to check that his lungs are ok because he had some trouble breathing a couple of days ago but, as it's Christmas, the Doctor isn't in to... Sign in to see full entry.

Saturday, December 24, 2005

A CHRISTMAS STORY FROM ARIEL

The sky was the colour of old bruises, and even the Christmas lights strung across the streets, and the displays in the shop windows, could not dispel the gloom of the winter day. A thin, bitter wind scoured the streets with its razor edge, sending the litter soaring like grubby birds. Carol drew her scarf up over her chin, and she sighed wistfully, as she gazed at the breathtaking display of pashminas in a shop window. Such incredible colours: and so far beyond her reach. A few paces on, she... Sign in to see full entry.

Thursday, December 22, 2005

ARIEL'S STILL HORIZONTAL

Ariel is still lounging in hospital, determined to stay as long as he can in order to squeeze out as much sympathy, stash as much spare food and leer at the nurses as much as he possibly can before they turf him out. Today he's having more stuff put in his arteries to keep them working and, if they have any sense, they'll kick him out before Christmas! I get in big trouble if I dont print him out your messages and he appreciates your support very much. Hopefully he'll be here in person soon,... Sign in to see full entry.

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

ARIEL'S JUST BEEN UNBLOCKED!

Hi again. Pa is now in the uni hospital in M'alaga and today they got rid of one of the blockages that he had in an artery or the heart or somewhere, which absolutely took it out of him so they aren't going to get rid of the second one until Friday to give him time to recover a bit. Apparently he's doing ok though. Thanks again for your support, Francie Sign in to see full entry.

Monday, December 19, 2005

UPDATE ON THE OLD MAN

Hi again. Pa sends his thanks to everyone who wrote such lovely messages of support. He's got to go to the university hospital (I spy student victims...!)tomorrow for an angiogram and more tests. He had some more pains this morning but seems better this afternoon and the doctor has said that the ole ticker is still beating strongly, so that's a relief. I'll let you know how it goes in the great centre of learning in the big city and thanks again for your messages. Francie. Sign in to see full entry.

Sunday, December 18, 2005

ARIEL'S HAD A HEART ATTACK!

Hi there Bloggers, this is Ariel’s daughter, Francie. Pa has had a small heart attack and is in hospital giving what-for to the nurses. He’s going to be in for about a week so he can keep giving them welly over Christmas. I thought I’d let you all know so that you can send him lots of sympathy cos that’d really cheer him up. I’ll keep you informed of how he (and the nurses) are getting on. Sign in to see full entry.

Friday, December 16, 2005

FIESTA. PART THREE

Susan said “ I bet he’s just overheard us talking, Helen. That’s how he knows you name.” Alex said vehemently “ No, I swear it wasn’t like that!” Then, he smiled and said “ And I can prove it! why don’t I show you my story? I’m about to send it to an English language magazine here in Spain. Look, why don’t you go to that bar along the street: I’ll go my place, get the story, and you can read it. How does that sound?” Alex smiled, relieved to see that Helen believed him, when she said. “ Yes.... Sign in to see full entry.

About this Blog

Fiction, poetry, articles and a whole lot of other Ariel's stuff ; musings and ponderings ; they're all here, and i hope you'll find something here that you like. But I have a deeper purpose in mind. See, reading the papers and watching TV, it's so easy to think that the whole world's motivated by racial and religious hatreds of various kinds. Well most of us aren't, are we? We ordinary people are moved by love and compassion for our fellow humans ; and respect and tolerance for their differences. It's true that all that it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing, so we who are motivated by love have a duty speak out against the evils of the world ; not to be ashamed of our histories, nor embarrassed about being and saying clearly what we are and what we believe. If we don't learn to love each other, we'll perish. Although I am an atheist, my guiding principle is, and always has been, Christ's adjuration to " Love thy neighbour as thyself"

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