It’s St. Piran’s Day on Wednesday, as well as the start of a period of reflection for many people before the festival of Easter and various celebrations of Spring.
I recently found myself transfixed by some birdsong, which caused me to recall this Cornish ditty from my childhood. I can’t place from specifically where I remember this – I guess music is like that, it’s absorbed…
Sweet Nightingale:
Coincidentally, I proposed to my wife on St Piran’s Day in 2003 at Low Bar near Porthleven (my father’s home-town).
As a youngster I heard this song sung many times in many places. As a teenager I lived on, nay on and at the top of, Camborne ‘ill.
Camborne manRichard Trevithick built the world’s first full-scale working railway steam locomotive. On 21 February 1804 Trevithick’s invention was part of the first steam locomotive-hauled railway journey along the tramway of the Penydarren Ironworks, in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales.
OK the song’s an old chestnut, but here ’tis (in a fashion) for posterity:
And a few more, I am no musician but the sentiment’s there I hope:
“Shining down on Sennen” Song written by Mike O’Connor
I had an interesting experience attempting to ruminate and reflect during a twenty day period of ‘Advent’ last year.
I am not ‘religious’ in the common sense but do believe that a certain re-consideration of structures, routines and discipline to our habits and attitudes might be illuminating.
A certain method in our madness can be constructive.
Some people use a 40-day period prior to spring… called ‘lent’ to re-consider ‘stuff’.
The word ‘lent’ initially simply meant spring, as in the German language lenz and Dutch lente.
This year I hope to attempt to use a period prior to spring to, as Brian put it, “think about letting go… facing into a wilderness…”
I know not what i do but, before a spring springs… stuff happens.
#earworm If paradise is half as nice as heaven that you take me to… Who needs paradise I’d rather have you.
Amen Corner – If Paradise Is Half As Nice
It’s pretty much agreed that it benefits one to have a certain structure, routine and discipline to our habits and attitudes. Even creatively, a certain method in your madness can be constructive. In the past this might have taken the form of a religious practice. Indeed ‘religiously’ also means: extremely scrupulously, conscientiously, exactly, faithfully.
A appreciate and acknowledge that results can often be greater than the sum of the individual parts. I thank the various forms of faithful disciples that routinely put others first. I rejoice that one plus one can often make three.
However I do struggle with the tradition and language of established religious institutions:
O Lord of the waters of creation we are awed by the power and majesty of the oceans, seas and rivers. We give thanks to you for the water we have to drink; for the skills we have been given by you to channel the power of the wind and the waves. We remember before you those affected by flood, cyclone and hurricane. We ask you to remind us, as we drink, of what we can do for those for whom water is less friendly. AMEN
Think of the wonder of the waters of creation we are often awed by the power and majesty of the oceans, seas and rivers. We are thankful for the water we have to drink; for the skills we have been given to channel the power of the wind and the waves. We humbly remember those affected by flood, cyclone and hurricane. We pause and consider, as we drink, of what we can do for those for whom water is less friendly. May we learn from reconsideration.
OK, it’s still a maudlin meditation but it’s good to reflect occasionally – however action needs to follow Images Assumptions and Motives.
Only looking to improve.
#earworm If paradise is half as nice as heaven that you take me to… Who needs paradise I’d rather have you.
Last July I moved from the a stock straight Specialized handlebars, to a too cheap not to try £12.50 (delivered) XLC City + Trekking handlebar. They enabled a more upright sitting position that i was looking for.
As said before, my riding style over the last few years, has changed from: i. Trying to co-exist with traffic, riding a bike with a similar driverly attitude and outlook.
to,
ii. Aiming to being more aware of place and adopting a more contented, mindful way…
I have always eyed the Jones H Loop Bar – it’s got a unique classic design, for more comfort, that allows the rider to sit up more. The price was always a restriction, but now the same style comes at a lower price without the ‘loop’.
Today’s ride home was wind-assisted* with a rare west-sou-westerly coming up from the homeland pushing me home.
Feeling the wind carry me along today was edifying – I was assisted onwards by natural forces… the same natural forces that are wreaking havoc elsewhere in the country.
When outside forces are against us, we often feel it; we feel the pressure, the agitation, the discontent. We struggle to move forward, we bemoan the conditions, we blame the others, ourselves, the past… yadda yadda… When we’re assisted by outside forces we rarely celebrate the achievements, the ease, the enlightenment, the freedom, the power, the glory… it’s often not so noticeable.
Then again, was the natural force moving me onward a blessing? Was it wanted? …it pushed me on, increased my speed, my usual jaunt home became braced and different from the norm… who knows?
Nature is a raw wild thing. Nature can be magnificently unforgiving, hard and cruel, as well as gloriously healthy and healing.
How ‘natural’ are we, I wonder?
As you know, I stopped tracking my rides with Endmondo back in July last year.
I have of course still been getting to and from work by cycle (75miles a week). Bowing to peer pressure I started tracking my rides with Strava. Not sure why I’m tracking again, ‘cos I’m not really interested in the competition, but the record is good to have.
A few dozen members from the choirs Global Harmony and Woven Chords, along with our MD Liz,were privileged to be invited to the Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Academy in Leicester. The aim was to share songs from around the world and share the experience of singing expressively and in multiple parts.
What an experience and a privilege. I tweeted during the day “What a FANTASTIC buzz!” I found the 400 children’s response to the choir’s performance in the morning assembly astonishing. Rarely do adults show such truthful wonder and enjoyment. Our organised, expressive, layered compositions were possibly usurped by the honest enthusiastic pleasure that the children expressed in return – what a BUZZ!
I joined Tina and Frances to share with a class of 5 year-olds. The experience of ‘showing’ young children forms of singing and making noises with the voice was enlightening. Such enthusiasm and willingness to create, priceless moments.
At one point I tweeted “Energy needs application, discipline and observation…”. For me personally; I was reminded at one point that expression and communication needs form, structure and discipline if it is to have a place in a organised community. Tweet “Hence community is important… Easier said than done?”
Tweet “What an experience, singing with a Leicester primary school #talkaboutenergy!”
I think the day was thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated by many! It’s hard to put a finger a single thing to take from the day because it was rich in emotion, ideas, and honesty.
Some raw recordings (from a phone in my pocket)…
Chaotic kids pre-muster: gathered in the hall…
Many thanks to fellow choir members Tina and Frances for their enthusiastic planning and support!
A classroom rehearsal: “One Morning Soon / Angels” a traditional American gospel song
A classroom rehearsal #toocute “Oo a lay lay” This is a traditional echo song from Polynesia
A final performance: “One Morning Soon / Angels” a traditional American gospel song
The BBC’s Winterwatch last night was twittering about Cultural Transmission and stuff and how animals learn stuff and copy etc. Before you know it we’re all wearing jeans, shopping at Tesco and eating crisps. Heaven forbid.
Yesterday I commented that: “There are a lot of cyclists out there that need to take a second look at the way they cycle, and there a lot of drivers out there that need to take a second look at the way they drive…” – myself included!
I’m reminded that “there’s no manifestation in another, which is not also in ourselves, no act or attitude in another, which is not also found in us…” (Simon Parke One-Min.Med.)
Publicly and personally, it’s a daily task to be aware of who we are sharing our world and space with. There will always be people we disagree with and we will always have issues with certain things we encounter. But in public, common sense and the rules (or the law) are there to maintain a level playing field.
When playing sport if you disregarding the rules you are penalised for good reason. If you disagree with the rules, so be it, it might be a valid point, and there are ways of negotiating this.
I’m on the PHONE!
“Teach the children well…”, not as I say but as I do…
I think blatant or overt disregard of the rules is not helpful.
But hey what do I know? “Each to his own”, “we need to accommodate everyone”, “they do it differently”, “multi-cultcha and all that”, “it doesn’t apply to me”, “horses for courses”, “what hole?”, “I know a better way”, “Look kids!”
I recently counted:
– Numerous drivers disregarding the law – speeding, dangerous and seemingly ignore-ant drivers.
– Ten people cycling at night with no lights, and obviously no protective or visibility wear?
– A few cyclists not even cycling dangerous weaving on and off the road.
– One crazy coot cycling without any of the above and on a mobile phone?
– Two cyclists seemingly ignoring the road markings?
Some days I wonder why bother to consider who we are sharing our world and space with? eh?
Jules P Richards 