The Last Post...

It's time. I've decided.
I've given it serious consideration.
It's been wonderful and now it's time to say goodbye. It's time to go. And time too, to take another step back away from society.
Witnessing what is happening in the world on a daily basis is not a happy experience any more.
So much of it has become far too upsetting and depressing and it's hard not being affected by it.
Greed, speed, need and creed have got to me.
The internet is a wonderful thing. It rules the world but it's not going to rule mine.
I will miss the research, the creative writing process, but there are other things to do.
There'll be more time for fishing.
I have enjoyed immensely, the nearly seven years of writing and publishing well over two thousand posts without missing a day.
And now it's time to take my simple life
in The Flying Tortoise and simplify it further.
I have delighted in my role as a social commentator and I shall keep doing that
but with the spoken word,
performing using rhyme and guitar.
I want to thank you all very much for following, for commenting and being part of this blog and my life for the last long time and for visiting here many thousands of times each week.
And millions of times over the years.
I am just completing my first seventy years and am looking forward to doing some things differently in the next seventy.
I will feel lost for a while I'm sure.
This blog has been a big part of my life over these last few years.
And so too has your wonderful feedback and the many complimentary and encouraging emails. Life will feel strange without this blog.
But I will find myself and perhaps catch up with you somewhere somehow again too.
I will miss you very much. And life moves on.
My love and best wishes to you all...

Bertie May Be The Fastest Tortoise In The World But He Can't Fly...

Bertie may just have broken a thirty seven year record becoming the fastest tortoise on the planet and racing his way into the Guinness Book of Records by sprinting 5.48 meters in an amazing 19.59 seconds, watch out Usain Bolt, but he can't fly.
There's only one tortoise who can do that...

Waiting At A Bus Stop In Russia Can Be An Interesting Experience...

Canadian photographer and traveler Christopher Herwig returned to what was the Soviet Union a decade ago to photograph the architectural oddities that are Russia's bus stops.
There's more here but these roadside waiting pavilions are the legacy of many of the vast region's local artists and architects striving to express themselves through their art...

What A Wonderful Housebus...

Can you imagine it.
What a wonderful housebus this beautiful
old girl could be transformed into.
Imagine the rich all wooden interior, the bed there, a bath perhaps, certainly a little wood stove to keep warm by and to cook on.
I can see it now...

After Three Million Years Of Evolution...

After three million years of evolution.
We've lost only the hair...

Standing Alone Is Ok...

Standing alone is ok.
If you have to...

This Tiny Camper Expands To Three Times Its Size At The Touch Of A Button...

It had to happen.
People want small and big at the same time.
And supposing the electrics function properly and reliably, by pushing a button, Beauer's tiny teardrop styled camper goes from 43sq ft to 129sq ft in a moment or less. If the electrics work. You've heard of Murphy's Law.
There's more about this here
if you'd like to know more.
And then there's their expandable van concept...

The Open Road Has Never Looked So Bright...

The open road is Long Island artist Grant Haffner's favourite place to be.
"When I drive I feel completely alive he says.
For a small moment in between this place and that I'm free from reality.
My vehicle and I become a motion of blurred colour, barreling through space and time. I like to keep my window open to listen to the sound that traveling makes, to enjoy the smell of the landscape. Every trip is a new one, not two sunsets are the same. On the road I am part of my painting. I am movement, colour, sound, adventure and emotions.
This is my landscape".
Reminiscent of Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken perhaps...

Tokio's Little Morioka Shoten Is A Bookstore With A Beautiful Difference...

The beautiful little one room Morioka Shoten is a bookstore in Tokio that displays one very carefully selected book at a time,
It's a long long way from the not so gentle giant Amazon who's existence has been responsible for putting thousands of traditional bookstores around the world out of business.
The little bookshop displays perhaps the most ultimate minimalist philosophy, desiring that the potential reader has the opportunity to focus on just the one very carefully selected item rather than being deluged by choice. How beautiful.
An oasis of calm in the retailing storm...

Wow! Twelve Life Sentences. That's Three Thousand Three Hundred And Eighteen Years Thinks Convicted Batman Theatre Killer James Holmes. That's A Long Time...

Wow! Twelve life sentences. A total of three thousand three hundred and eighteen years in jail with no chance of parole. If I'd known I was going to get that length of sentence I may not have done it, convicted Batman theater killer seems to be thinking as he's led away from the Colorado courtroom to begin his never ending term of imprisonment.
But nothing seems to deter some of the US citizenry who continue to reign terror on their fellow Americans.
The homegrown killings far outnumbering the number of terrorist acts perpetrated on US soil by known terrorist groups.
The enemy within.
And when will Americans stop killing each other?
Probably, like James Holmes prison sentence.
Never. And when will the people of the world stop committing atrocities against each other?
Again, probably never...

Said To Be 104 Years Old, Gunther Krabbenhoft Is A Wonderfully Stylish Fashion Statement No Matter What Age He Might Be...

Some people are suggesting Berlin's Gunther Krabbenhoft is one hundred and four but he says he's a lot younger. Some people are suggesting that he should know but let's not let silly unimportant facts get in the way of a good story.
Gunther is one great timeless fashion statement and someone many young and hip fashionista's could learn a thing or three from.
I've always dressed like this, it's a reflection of my inner self says Gunther, I want to be able to look at myself with joy.
Thankyou Mr Krabbenhoft, no matter how old you are, you look wonderful...

The Sons And Daughters Of The Vikings Come To The Rescue...

I received this comment from Hanne Maja Christiansen and am compelled to share it.
It touches my heart and restores some faith in humanity. Thankyou, sons and daughters
of the Vikings.
"Well I wrote that the Germans could be proud
of themselves. The last day has made me proud of the the many Danes who are committing
Civil Disobedience.
They go up against the Danish government and the restrictive regulations concerning refugees.
On Monday evening and night, a lot of Danes started their cars and drove to the little island where refugees come into Denmark and start walking on the fields and along the roads.
The volunteers picked up a lot of refugees and transported them to Copenhagen or Sweden.
A Swedish reporter said that the policemen gave up and collectively went and ate dinner while the private cars were filled with refugees.
Others are giving food, clothes and a warm bed to refugees. A Danish woman has used her boat to transport refugees to Sweden. I certainly realise that people have stood up for what they believe is right. And show compassion.
Well done my brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of the Vikings".
Perhaps a Peoples Revolution is happening...

There Is No Shortcut On The Road To Success...

Sometimes the funniest things happen
on the road to success...

Thankyou Germany...

Thousands and thousands of immigrants
and refugees are, as you're reading this, arriving in Germany where they're being welcomed
with open arms.
The Pope has ordered each of his churches in Europe to provide accommodation for at least one family. The Finnish Prime Minister has offered his second home to refugees. People around the world are opening their hearts and their homes, making ready their spare rooms in order to give shelter to the displaced pouring into their countries.
I wonder why they wouldn't do the same for their own homeless and displaced but never mind.
Thankyou Germany...

Nashvilles Homeless Get Bright Teeny Tiny Houses To Live In And Call Their Own...

A few days ago, six vehicles towing teeny tiny trailer homes made their way down Broadway to the Reverend Jeff  Carr's Green Street Church grounds where they are now housing some of Nashville's poorest.
Yes they're small but they are shelter and they are accommodation and they are something these homeless folk have never had.
The security of living in their own home.
And no matter how humble, there's no place
like home...