The Pillars

My gob is duly smacked by some of these photos. Thank you, Pamela Cook! Continue reading →

POTHOLES OF THE MIND

For preference, I call them lagoons because it’s a nicer word. Also, because in Spanish they are known as lagunas. I only mention this because, although I am bilingual (I prefer ‘bicultural’ as it’s closer to the truth), I have a tendency to use a word in English that I know sounds about the same in … Continue reading →

IT IS TIME THEY WERE STOPPED AND THE CRIMINALS PROSECUTED EFFECTIVELY

Dog fights abound all over Latin America and Spain, as well as other countries. For the most part they are illegal, but perpetrators are usually just fined, and not a lot. Hardly a deterrent, you might agree. It goes on practically in our back yards, but if you’re not aware of them, you might not … Continue reading →

A LITTLE HELLO GOES A LONG WAY

It’s the beginning of a new year. For many, it’s a time of hope. For others, a time of pain, in whatever shape the two may choose to appear. For some reason, I am reminded of the poem by Rudyard Kipling, the famous If: If you can keep your head when all about you        … Continue reading →

WHAT’S A ZARZUELA?

A brief explanation of a very Spanish musical genre. Continue reading →

HOW DID THAT ZAMBOMBA GET IN YOUR EAR?

A quick look at one of Spain’s seasonal traditions, and a guide to the instruments used. Continue reading →

CHRISTMAS IN THE SUMMER

As a child raised in the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas came punctually every year on December 25th, like everywhere else. The beginning of summer. Summer holidays. No snow, no robin redbreasts, no White Christmas, except for Bing Crosby endlessly on the record player. No pine trees, except a few on the sides of distant mountains. No … Continue reading →

‘IN THE VILLAGE WHERE I LIVE’, AN OCCASIONAL SERIES

OF SNAKES AND MIRRORS by Wendy Tong What are the cats looking at? I thought. They were staring at the round mirror above the sofa. They couldn’t see themselves; the angles weren’t right. Sitting as I was a few feet away from the sofa above which hung the mirror, I could see that it was … Continue reading →

INSIDE ANONYMOUS IN ITS WAR AGAINST ISIS/DAESH

Anonymous is well-known for the rude-boy attitude it takes against modern society by the media and other judgmental parties. Today, they wish to tell you about what is happening before your very eyes. This article was written and sent in by a member of Anonymous at my request. Please grab a pen & paper to take … Continue reading →

DOES GOD NEED RELIGION?

The word God as used in this item is done so for the very simple reason that it has only one syllable, as opposed to ‘Greater Being’, ‘Higher Power’, or anything similar. The capital G out of respect for the society in which the author was born. Do I believe in God? I believe that I … Continue reading →