Susanna and I spent a lovely morning and early afternoon in the Cambridge University Botanic Garden and, for your enjoyment, I include here a few photographs.  Just click on a photo to enlarge it All were taken with a Fuji X100V and are straight out of camera jpegs

Satan in his Original Glory: Thou wast Perfect till Iniquity was Found in Thee William Blake, c.1805 A short “thought for the day” offered to the Cambridge Unitarian Church as part of the Sunday Service of Mindful Meditation  (Click on this link to hear a recorded version of the following piece) —o0o— I was interested to read that last year in the UK a total of 15 babies were named “Lucifer.”  In one sense I’m not vexed or offended by this because, as any passably competent student of Jewish and Christian texts has long known, the name “Lucifer” simply means “light-bringer” and for millennia it has been used as the name of the planet Venus in its morning aspect because its rising preceded the welcome rising of th...

Winter Sun Yesterday I posted a few photographs under the title of "Winter sun, trees, and teasels in the Cambridge University Botanic Garden." I publish here a black and white version of the "Winter Winter Sun Yesterday I posted a few photographs under the title of "Winter sun, trees, and teasels in the Cambridge University Botanic Garden." I publish here a black and white version of the "Winter

Henry Bugbee (1915-1999) Readings: Luke 14:28-30 and Acts 17:22-28 From “The Inward Morning: A Philosophical Exploration in Journal Form”, University of Georgia Press, 1999, pp. 121-123 Tuesday, July 28th, 1953 I remember how my heart went out to William Carlos Williams when he prefaced the reading of some of his poetry with some remarks so genial and unassuming, so quiet, and so ordinarily phrased, that one might readily have missed what he was saying. It has just dawned on me what he was saying, after some two years. He was talking about listening to poetry, something like this: “Relax! relax. Enjoy it. Poetry is to be enjoyed. Do not try to make something of it. Don’t try to batter down the doors and take possession of it. Tak... Henry Bugbee (1915-1999) Readings: Luke 14:28-30 and Acts 17:22-28 From “The Inward Morning: A Philosophical Exploration in Journal Form”, University of Georgia Press, 1999, pp. 121-123 Tuesday, July 28th, 1953 I remember how my heart went out to William Carlos Williams when he prefaced the reading of some of his poetry with some remarks so genial and unassuming, so quiet, and so ordinarily phrased, that one might readily have missed what he was saying. It has just dawned on me what he was saying, after some two years. He was talking about listening to poetry, something like this: “Relax! relax. Enjoy it. Poetry is to be enjoyed. Do not try to make something of it. Don’t try to batter down the doors and take possession of it. Tak...

On Saturday morning, 28th January 2017, at Conway Hall in London, long an important place of radical religious, philosophical, social and political thinking in the UK (one with a Unitarian lineage I might add), DiEM25 held its UK organisational launch. I was privileged to have been able to work with a fine group of British DiEM25 activists, and of course Yanis Varoufakis and Srećko Horvat, to arrange this meeting. Like all DiEM25 gatherings, more than half of the meeting was made up of conversations involving all those attending but, to set the scene and introduce some important initial ideas, the morning began with brief keynote contributions from Brian Eno, Elif Şafak, Agnieszka Wiśniewska and Igor Stokfiszewski and, finally, Yanis... On Saturday morning, 28th January 2017, at Conway Hall in London, long an important place of radical religious, philosophical, social and political thinking in the UK (one with a Unitarian lineage I might add), DiEM25 held its UK organisational launch. I was privileged to have been able to work with a fine group of British DiEM25 activists, and of course Yanis Varoufakis and Srećko Horvat, to arrange this meeting. Like all DiEM25 gatherings, more than half of the meeting was made up of conversations involving all those attending but, to set the scene and introduce some important initial ideas, the morning began with brief keynote contributions from Brian Eno, Elif Şafak, Agnieszka Wiśniewska and Igor Stokfiszewski and, finally, Yanis...

I needed to pop into town to do some food shopping but thought I'd come back the long-way round by the river. Even on a grey old day like today it's a powerful and important reminder to me of how lucky I am to live in a city with so much green space. All the photos were taken with my iPhone 6+ using the Filmborn App using their Kodak Portra 160 setting. Just click on a photo to enlarge it. I needed to pop into town to do some food shopping but thought I'd come back the long-way round by the river. Even on a grey old day like today it's a powerful and important reminder to me of how lucky I am to live in a city with so much green space. All the photos were taken with my iPhone 6+ using the Filmborn App using their Kodak Portra 160 setting. Just click on a photo to enlarge it.

Yanis Varoufakis spoke about the need for a New Deal for the West at the recent DiEM25 UK organisational launch at Conway Hall, about which you can found out more by clicking this link. The short video I post below an excellent two and a half minute summary of what Varoufakis thinks should lie at the heart of any European New Deal. For what it's worth, I agree with him wholeheartedly. Yanis Varoufakis spoke about the need for a New Deal for the West at the recent DiEM25 UK organisational launch at Conway Hall, about which you can found out more by clicking this link. The short video I post below an excellent two and a half minute summary of what Varoufakis thinks should lie at the heart of any European New Deal. For what it's worth, I agree with him wholeheartedly.

Yesterday I posted a piece about the organisational launch of DiEM25UK on 28th January 2017, at Conway Hall in London, long an important place of radical religious, philosophical, social and political thinking in the UK (one with a Unitarian lineage I might add). For those interested my report of the event has now been published on both the DiEM25 website and that of openDemocracy and you can read them, see a few pictures and hear audio recordings of the event at the following links: openDemocracy:  DiEM25-UK—launching at Conway Hall DiEM25:  DiEM25-UK: Organisational launch meeting at Conway Hall, London The meeting in full swing Yesterday I posted a piece about the organisational launch of DiEM25UK on 28th January 2017, at Conway Hall in London, long an important place of radical religious, philosophical, social and political thinking in the UK (one with a Unitarian lineage I might add). For those interested my report of the event has now been published on both the DiEM25 website and that of openDemocracy and you can read them, see a few pictures and hear audio recordings of the event at the following links: openDemocracy:  DiEM25-UK—launching at Conway Hall DiEM25:  DiEM25-UK: Organisational launch meeting at Conway Hall, London The meeting in full swing

READINGS: Matthew 12:46-50 and Ruth 1:6-18  From Ernst Bloch: Atheism in Christianity (Verso Press, London 2009, original edition published 1972, pp. 71–72).  What was, must be tested. It does not hold good of itself, however familiar, for it lies behind us. It holds good only so far as the Where-to continues to live before us in the thing itself. If the link binding backwards is false, it must be cut. All the more so if it was never true, but simply a shackle.           It is telling, that even the loyal Ruth did not go back the way she came; she did not turn back, but followed the path of her own free choice. And on this point Jesus’ goodness itself strikes off at a singularly sharp angle, away from tradition. How small is [... READINGS: Matthew 12:46-50 and Ruth 1:6-18  From Ernst Bloch: Atheism in Christianity (Verso Press, London 2009, original edition published 1972, pp. 71–72).  What was, must be tested. It does not hold good of itself, however familiar, for it lies behind us. It holds good only so far as the Where-to continues to live before us in the thing itself. If the link binding backwards is false, it must be cut. All the more so if it was never true, but simply a shackle.           It is telling, that even the loyal Ruth did not go back the way she came; she did not turn back, but followed the path of her own free choice. And on this point Jesus’ goodness itself strikes off at a singularly sharp angle, away from tradition. How small is [...

All photos taken with my iPhone 6+ and the Hipstamatic app.  As always just click on a photo if you wish to enlarge it.                         All photos taken with my iPhone 6+ and the Hipstamatic app.  As always just click on a photo if you wish to enlarge it.                        

Charles Darwin in 1881 Readings: Various sections from Charles Darwin's posthumous autobiography Today, on the 12th February 1809, the naturalist Charles Darwin was born. He is of interest to us as a religious community for two connected reasons. The first is that was raised in a Unitarian family which included a number of avowed freethinkers.  This upbringing clearly had an influence on his own ability and freedom to think freely and critically. The second was his publication on 24 November 1859 of “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life” a book which stands as a wellspring for what we now call evolutionary biology — a discipline which brought about r... Charles Darwin in 1881 Readings: Various sections from Charles Darwin's posthumous autobiography Today, on the 12th February 1809, the naturalist Charles Darwin was born. He is of interest to us as a religious community for two connected reasons. The first is that was raised in a Unitarian family which included a number of avowed freethinkers.  This upbringing clearly had an influence on his own ability and freedom to think freely and critically. The second was his publication on 24 November 1859 of “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life” a book which stands as a wellspring for what we now call evolutionary biology — a discipline which brought about r...

This afternoon I, Susanna and her grandson went to the Cambridge University Botanic Garden for a late lunch and a stroll. Lots of Indian themes and colours in the glasshouses. All photos taken with my iPhone 6+ and the Hipstamatic app. Just click on a photo to enlarge it. Enjoy. This afternoon I, Susanna and her grandson went to the Cambridge University Botanic Garden for a late lunch and a stroll. Lots of Indian themes and colours in the glasshouses. All photos taken with my iPhone 6+ and the Hipstamatic app. Just click on a photo to enlarge it. Enjoy.

Hope Not Hate interfaith event in the church after the morning service Readings:  Leviticus 19:33-34   When the alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt:  I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 24:22 You shall have one law for the alien and for the citizen: for I am the Lord your God. Hebrews 13:2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Hannah Arendt (1906-1975) From “We Refugees” (1943) by Hannah Arendt In the first place, we don't like to be called “refugees.” We ourselves c... Hope Not Hate interfaith event in the church after the morning service Readings:  Leviticus 19:33-34   When the alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt:  I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 24:22 You shall have one law for the alien and for the citizen: for I am the Lord your God. Hebrews 13:2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Hannah Arendt (1906-1975) From “We Refugees” (1943) by Hannah Arendt In the first place, we don't like to be called “refugees.” We ourselves c...

I've recently been re-reading Edward Storey's book "The Solitary Landscape", his 1975 journal about the Fens that I first read not long after it was published. As regular readers of this blog know that I, like Storey, love the Fens. I love them I'm sure because they remind me of the flat, marshy, coastal landscape of Essex on the Tendring Peninsular where I grew up. In consequence, coming to live and work in Cambridge on the edge of the fens in 2000 was a kind of homecoming for it, too, is a landscape neither fully land nor fully water. But, land and water aside there is also the shared special quality of light found in such flat landscapes and light is, of course, an obsession of all visual artists including photographers such as myself... I've recently been re-reading Edward Storey's book "The Solitary Landscape", his 1975 journal about the Fens that I first read not long after it was published. As regular readers of this blog know that I, like Storey, love the Fens. I love them I'm sure because they remind me of the flat, marshy, coastal landscape of Essex on the Tendring Peninsular where I grew up. In consequence, coming to live and work in Cambridge on the edge of the fens in 2000 was a kind of homecoming for it, too, is a landscape neither fully land nor fully water. But, land and water aside there is also the shared special quality of light found in such flat landscapes and light is, of course, an obsession of all visual artists including photographers such as myself...

I was in a decidedly hauntological mood today as I cycled out to Fulbourn Fen for a walk across the fen itself and then on to Fleam Dyke as far as the bronze-age barrow at Mutlow Hill. The photos below, all taken with my iPhone 6+ and using a couple of Hipstamtlc settings of my own, pretty much capture that mood. I stopped for lunch and a flask of tea on Mutlow Hill and took the opportunity to listen to the first two movements of Delius' "North Country Sketches" (1913-1914) which, musically speaking, were a perfect accompaniment to the landscape around me and the grey skies above. Just click on a photo to enlarge it.   I was in a decidedly hauntological mood today as I cycled out to Fulbourn Fen for a walk across the fen itself and then on to Fleam Dyke as far as the bronze-age barrow at Mutlow Hill. The photos below, all taken with my iPhone 6+ and using a couple of Hipstamtlc settings of my own, pretty much capture that mood. I stopped for lunch and a flask of tea on Mutlow Hill and took the opportunity to listen to the first two movements of Delius' "North Country Sketches" (1913-1914) which, musically speaking, were a perfect accompaniment to the landscape around me and the grey skies above. Just click on a photo to enlarge it.  

Taking my time (and tea) with "Bifo" Berardi's words READINGS: 2 Peter 3:8-9 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. From Chapter XXII of E. M. Forster’s novel of 1910, “Howards End”   Only connect! That was the whole of her sermon. Only connect the prose and the passion, and both will be exalted, and human love will be seen at its height. Live in fragments no longer. Only connect, and the beast and the monk, robbed of the isolation that is life to either, will die. From Franco “Bifo” Be... Taking my time (and tea) with "Bifo" Berardi's words READINGS: 2 Peter 3:8-9 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. From Chapter XXII of E. M. Forster’s novel of 1910, “Howards End”   Only connect! That was the whole of her sermon. Only connect the prose and the passion, and both will be exalted, and human love will be seen at its height. Live in fragments no longer. Only connect, and the beast and the monk, robbed of the isolation that is life to either, will die. From Franco “Bifo” Be...

Winter Reeds  in the Cambridge University Botanic Garden Taken with a iPhone 6+ and the Hipstamatic App (Just click on a photo to enlarge it) Winter Reeds  in the Cambridge University Botanic Garden Taken with a iPhone 6+ and the Hipstamatic App (Just click on a photo to enlarge it)

Emmanuel College Chapel This morning I thought I'd take a spin out on the Pashley Guv'nor to Over and the River Great Ouse to see if I could find the "Five Bowl Barrows", a group of still visible Bronze-Age burial mounds. As you will see this effectively meant visiting a newly planted, muddy field with only the slightest of indictions that, perhaps, just perhaps, upstanding barrows once stood here — in the black and white photo below just look for a slight rise in the ground right in the middle of the shot. That's one of them folks! Still, the atmosphere and mood of the place was splendid and, in my book anyway, it was well-worth the effort. At the very least a few of my winter cobwebs were blown away. Some of you might be interested ... Emmanuel College Chapel This morning I thought I'd take a spin out on the Pashley Guv'nor to Over and the River Great Ouse to see if I could find the "Five Bowl Barrows", a group of still visible Bronze-Age burial mounds. As you will see this effectively meant visiting a newly planted, muddy field with only the slightest of indictions that, perhaps, just perhaps, upstanding barrows once stood here — in the black and white photo below just look for a slight rise in the ground right in the middle of the shot. That's one of them folks! Still, the atmosphere and mood of the place was splendid and, in my book anyway, it was well-worth the effort. At the very least a few of my winter cobwebs were blown away. Some of you might be interested ...

Still life with flowers and wooden fish Taken with my iPhone 6+ and the Hipstamatic App (Click on photo to enlarge) Still life with flowers and wooden fish Taken with my iPhone 6+ and the Hipstamatic App (Click on photo to enlarge)

Taken in Cambridge using the new Bucktown Hipstapak As regular readers of this blog will know I'm passionate about using the Hipstamatic photo app for the iPhone—three of which I include in this post. Many people continue to dismiss iPhone photography (iPhoneography) as merely playing at photography but there are an increasing number of serious photographers now using the app in their everyday work. One such photographer is Scott Strazzante (b.1964) who is an American photojournalist at the San Francisco Chronicle. Well, this month Hipstamatic are celebrating his street photography work by releasing the excellent Bucktown Hipstapak and I'd like to use this opportunity to point you to a very short, two-and-a-half minute long film about ... Taken in Cambridge using the new Bucktown Hipstapak As regular readers of this blog will know I'm passionate about using the Hipstamatic photo app for the iPhone—three of which I include in this post. Many people continue to dismiss iPhone photography (iPhoneography) as merely playing at photography but there are an increasing number of serious photographers now using the app in their everyday work. One such photographer is Scott Strazzante (b.1964) who is an American photojournalist at the San Francisco Chronicle. Well, this month Hipstamatic are celebrating his street photography work by releasing the excellent Bucktown Hipstapak and I'd like to use this opportunity to point you to a very short, two-and-a-half minute long film about ...

A Blackbird bathes in the church garden READINGS:   Review of The Poetry of Dasein: Martin Heidegger's Existential Phenomenology as an Interpretive Model for Wallace Stevens by Mark Price In his book “The Later Poetry of Wallace Stevens”, Thomas Hines says “the development of the middle and later poetry of Stevens can be profitably explained through comparisons with the phenomenological methods and concepts of Edmund Husserl and Martin Heidegger.” Wallace Stevens’ poetry is notorious for its complexity and philosophical overtones. Academic works abound explaining his beautiful but often puzzling poetry. If Hines is correct, then one might be tempted to admit defeat and move on to another poet. After all, how profitable could ... A Blackbird bathes in the church garden READINGS:   Review of The Poetry of Dasein: Martin Heidegger's Existential Phenomenology as an Interpretive Model for Wallace Stevens by Mark Price In his book “The Later Poetry of Wallace Stevens”, Thomas Hines says “the development of the middle and later poetry of Stevens can be profitably explained through comparisons with the phenomenological methods and concepts of Edmund Husserl and Martin Heidegger.” Wallace Stevens’ poetry is notorious for its complexity and philosophical overtones. Academic works abound explaining his beautiful but often puzzling poetry. If Hines is correct, then one might be tempted to admit defeat and move on to another poet. After all, how profitable could ...

This afternoon I took myself off to the Cambridge University Botanic Garden to engage in some prayerful, quiet acts of walking, sitting, contemplation, reflection and, of course, the taking of photographs which is for me very much a "spiritual practice." As always I include here a few photographs from the visit (just click on a photo to enlarge it) taken with my iPhone 6+ and the Hipstamatic app using a setting of my own (not accidentally with an 18th century painterly quality about it). As on many other such occasions a beautiful prayer written by Anthony Ashley Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury (1671-1713) came back into my mind. Of course, I don’t understand it literally because these days the reality of a personified God (whether tha... This afternoon I took myself off to the Cambridge University Botanic Garden to engage in some prayerful, quiet acts of walking, sitting, contemplation, reflection and, of course, the taking of photographs which is for me very much a "spiritual practice." As always I include here a few photographs from the visit (just click on a photo to enlarge it) taken with my iPhone 6+ and the Hipstamatic app using a setting of my own (not accidentally with an 18th century painterly quality about it). As on many other such occasions a beautiful prayer written by Anthony Ashley Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury (1671-1713) came back into my mind. Of course, I don’t understand it literally because these days the reality of a personified God (whether tha...