Seven Days in May
The dogs of the neighbourhood hold long converse at night, they discuss trivialities and complain in chorus.
May 1 to 7 2023
The anniversary
The twelfth anniversary of my father’s death. From John Black I was gifted among other things, the love of travel and adventure, the endless curiosity of what comes after the next ridgeline.
The coronation
My meanderings with the monarchy:
Pre Sex Pistols royalist : “Long Live the Queen!”
Post Sex Pistols ultra-republican : “It’s a fascist regime!”
Middle age centrist dad : “People coming together in the community is a good thing”
- summed it up well this week:
Royalty is an example of a tradition which we don’t really understand, but which serves a purpose
The film
Seven Days in May (1964) is a political thriller set during the Cold War era. US President Lyman's plans for nuclear disarmament are met with suspicion by General Scott (Burt Lancaster). A military conspiracy emerges to overthrow the government, but loyal Colonel Casey (Kirk Douglas), uncovers the plot and races against time to gather evidence. The film explores loyalty, power, the fragility of democracy and political intrigue. Black and white, well worth a view.
The swifts
The swifts arrived at our street corner on the 4th of May, six days earlier than last year. Oh my these wonderful creatures make my heart sing, little spitfires darting about the place, such joy and freedom.
Over practically every town and village and group of old buildings throughout the British Isles you will see them wheeling and diving: sometimes at great heights, each bird hunting separately for insects which form its only diet; sometimes in screeching packs almost at ground level, weaving and darting round every available obstacle in exultation at their unrivalled control of flight.
Henry Douglas-Home - The birdman : memories of birds (1977)
The podcasts
The Ghost of Franco & Spain's Memory Wars - Michael Reid
and Nigel Townson explore the role of memory in Spain's democratic transition.
Mary Renault's Worldbuilding - Miranda Carter talks about the life and historical fiction of Mary Renault, whose stories from Ancient Greece have never been out of print. A fine writer, highly recommended.
The Destruction of the Country House - John Saumarez Smith recalls the destruction of two country house libraries - Dropmore and Hampden in 1939.
The haiku
Commentary by Gilbert Highet:
That is all. But you see how much is in it, and how much more is implied.
There are: the season of the year (it is summer, hot summer, because the poet has been longing for the evening) ; the sounds of the world (after the noisy day, it is becoming quiet, so that even speech would be an intrusion); the light (growing dimmer into the restful darkness); the situation (two men sitting together, far from noisy parties); the mood (rest and meditation); and the thought behind the whole (that there is greater understanding, of nature and of friends, in almost silent companionship — not in complete silence, but in those brief words which are more eloquent than long speeches or busy conversation )
Chopin might have translated that into music, as one of the Preludes.
From A Clerk of Oxenford (1954)
The books
Collected short stories of Somerset Maugham
The Road : A Story of Romans and Ways to the Past by Christopher Hadley. The author searches for an elusive Roman road that sprang from one of the busiest road hubs in Roman Britain. One of my hiking plans for the year is to follow Roman roads in East Anglia.
The word
The epigram
Untruth loving viper is a fine phrase.
The bop
Dizzy Reece - Star Bright (1959)
Star Bright is a magnificent showcase of performances, by a dream team. Reece holds his own, with a tone “fat as butter”, generously allows plenty of space for Hank Mobley, who is in devastatingly confident form, for me the outstanding feature of this album. Throw in Wynton Kelly, and Paul Chambers, irresistible combination.
from London Jazz Collector
Fat as Butter sums up Reece’s trumpet nicely. This is one of those jazz LPs from the golden age where just about every track is a joy.
Excellent post. I didn't know you have two substack (more). I'll subscribe and broaden my horizon
I love Hank Mobley's work.