Donkeyshott & Xuitlacoche

Darling, doesn’t Rupert look just like Jesus Christ! Jo'burg's Jewish suburb, beautiful with Jacarandas For my self of the 1940s, 50s, 60s, there was a need at times to escape the stifling blandness of ethnically self-contained, self-satisfied Anglo culture, specially the colonial version. I was born, in Pretoria , into a South African baptised-Anglican family both sides, from English Australian New Zealand origins. But there were little admixtures here and there, thin chinks in the ethnic stitching that allowed in a little light to glimpse other angles by, a few hints of more pungent tastes and scents. There was Jewish, out there. I was never seeking to be a Jew, but Jew Ish, I liked. My father, who sold properties for Saul Berman’s agency in Pretoria, loved telling Jewish jokes with the full accent more than anyone, except Saul Berman himself, and later, my Jewish father in law. Do you remember the one about Abie in the train, who had a headache? Among my own lat...

" Mandela: Echoes of an era" by Alf Kumalo and Es'kia Mphahlele (picture on page 6.) Mom and Dad and friends in Sophiatown. Dad's on his scooter.

Picture: Matumi 2003 Tony Hall, Addis Ababa, February 1995 A dedication "I call it a Hall's and not Tony Hall's way because - while I take responsibility for any of its foibles and bloomers, I owe much to other members of the Hall family (and here I won't go into grandparents, and to all the aunts and uncles and cousins who've made for a rich and full family life). Most of all, to my father John I owe some of the traits and eccentricities I am particularly pleased to share, with him and my brothers, David, Micheal and John , in their different and special ways: Enthusiasm for healthy eating Healthy scepticism about the mystifications of the medical profession (though let me add a note of sympathy for those hard -pressed GPs whose patients want them - force them, on pain of everlasting scorn - to act as know it alls), Faith in common sense and a try-anything approach as guidelines to physical life, and to the world around us. "Moderation in all things." ,...

THAT is no country for old men. The young In one another's arms, birds in the trees- Those dying generations - at their song, The salmon-falls, the mackerel-crowded seas, Fish, flesh, or fowl, commend all summer long Whatever is begotten, born, and dies. Caught in that sensual music all neglect Monuments of unageing intellect. An aged man is but a paltry thing, A tattered coat upon a stick, unless Soul clap its hands and sing, and louder sing For every tatter in its mortal dress, Nor is there singing school but studying Monuments of its own magnificence; And therefore I have sailed the seas and come To the holy city of Byzantium. O sages standing in God's holy fire As in the gold mosaic of a wall, Come from the holy fire, perne in a gyre, And be the singing-masters of my soul. Consume my heart away; sick with desire And fastened to a dying animal It knows not what it is; and gather me Into the artifice of eternity. Once out of nature I shall never take My bodily form from any n...

Mexican government recommendations 1. Wash your hands frequently with liquid soap 2. Do not congregate in public places. 3. Do not make physical contact when you meet people. 4. Do not share food. 5. Avoid touching your eyes nose or mouth. 6. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze. 7. Stay at home if you are sick. 8. Don’t get on public transport if you are ill. 9. Disinfect and clean anything touched by someone with the virus (e.g. plates, mugs, telephone sets, towels, bedding). 10. Inform the medical authorities if you think you may have the virus. 11. Don't spit on the ground. 12. Use disinfectant and try and keep you home as clean as possible. Clean basins, bannisters, doors, tables etc. 13. Keep your house as well ventilated as possible. 14. Use a handkerchief or a face mask when you talk. Danger signs If in addition to the standard symptoms of flu: 1. you have difficulty in breathing; 2. you have a pain in your chest; 3. you have blood in your snot or...

I'm not sharpening my snickersneer on the Guardian anymore. I've deleted the "Ishouldapologise" posting persona. Perhaps the Guardian will still accept the occasional peevish little piece from me, but there's not much point to posting on Comment is Free any more. I've shot my bolt. My fellow blogger Wordy's comments concentrated my mind. "Stopped in at Xuitlacoche earlier and was almost as puzzled, there, by your caring so passiionately about whether or not Cif wins prizes. Why? " I was under an illusion, given my long posting history, backstory, and contributions, that I was a minor stakeholder of sorts in the success of the CiF - Guardian blogs enterprise, but I was a little deluded and the right course of action for the deluded is to withdraw and desist. The right course of action perhaps when Wordy says: "Congratulations, @ISA, since that almost reads like an announcement of breaking away from a nasty addiction. " Perhaps s/he is...