Diary On The Road

APRIL 2003

What have I to do with violence?
What can I do when rulers go mad
With power?

I am shocked at the brutality
Children, mothers, elderly
All mutilited and flowing
In their own blood

Our ruler cries out
We are not here to
Conquer you
We are here to
Liberate you

I see pictures of victims
of the Liberation
What had they to do with
The power struggle
and war from our ruler?

So it has been
Must it be til the end of Time?

Each generation who survives
Must make the most of its skills
Must be more compassionate
Loving and Kindly

Some day we will learn
To love our neighbor
Yea, even to love our enemy
As the great Rabbi Jesus
Implored us several thousand years ago

But first we must curb the violence
Within ourselves
Reconcile differences in ourselves
Our families, and our neighbors

We must forgive ourselves
For our weakness
And try to live with others
With love and compassion
For them and ourselves

For my 84th birthday celebration, gathered with my family upon the day of my return from New York City, having been away for some six weeks.

Starting in Vermont, spent a winter ski vacation with grandchild, Dannie and two great-grandchildren. Followed by more visits with daughter Ilene, and two more grandchildren, Susan and Annie.

Leaving cold Vermont to sunny Spain, another delightful holiday with Suso in Valencia, Victor and Montse in Barcelona. And then to Marbella with Jan Briski, her sister, and niece.

Trudy never stops working!

From Marbella to Aberdeen to visit with another grandson, Adam, for a marvelous visit walking the streets, visiting the library, and staying at a magnificant youth hostel.

And then the most glorious ten days. Eight days in Oxford, with the American Museum of History, at New College, thinking about Darwin and the theory of Evolution. And then four exciting days in London, three movies in one day, followed by evenings of the latest musical shows in London. Langston Hugh's play of 1928, Simply Heaven, was a real treat.

London to me is the greatest city for old cathedrals, beautiful buildings, theatre, opera, dance. And especially for me the special OAP (old age pension) prices for seniors. First row orchestra for no more than $25.00.

I was accepted for another residency at Oxford, Christ Church in August, to read about monasticism in Great Britain. And also taking another week or so to live in London, with a daily circuit of theatre, dance, movies, opera.

The final visit to New York City, upon return from London, and overnight at Best Western, was with Bonnie Stein, and Vit Vorjes, at their hilarious "Don Juan" production of the Czech Marionettes.

Vit and his colleagues take us through the adventures of Don Juan, from an old poetry script. With no imagination, one can see easily that the puppets come alive and lead the Grand Maestro through his pace keeping up with the agile puppets.

The grand adventure ended with a family gathering for a birthday party honoring the wanderer on her 84th birthday.

What a beautiful way to end a journey,and get ready for the next! Ethiopia for the ancient Christian Easter? There is an invitation.. Now to unpack, clean up messages, mail, and make necessary travel arrangements!