The farmer and I went out last evening, a few miles down the road to an event for our local Nature Reserve. It was called 'Light and Inspiration' and was an audio visual presentation of photographs from Iceland, UK, Scottish Isles, Italy, Canada and the Serengeti in Africa. The photographs were stunning and the audience of almost 120 were receptive. The presentation was followed by a curry supper. We met charming people and had a thoroughly enjoyable evening.***
What a shame when upon returning home we began to hear the dreadful news from Paris - news which got worse overnight. I suspect, because of the venues, that most of the people involved were young people just starting out on their lives; I also expect that they were from various religions, including muslims.
The violence and slaughter in the world gets worse by the day and for us, innocent folk who stand by, there is nothing we can do about it, which certainly makes me feel helpless.
***To view some of the photographs we saw in the presentation go to www.johnwebsterphotography.co.uk it is well worth a look.
Your lovely evening out was wiped away by the horrendous news. What can we do about all that hatred and what can the perpetrators hope to achieve by these mass killings? Any reprisals will create more hatred but there must be an answer somewhere.
ReplyDeleteIt is comforting to know what a nice evening you and the farmer had. Still some light in this beautiful world. The evil won't prevail as good will always overcome it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pat. I had a look at the website. Some lovely pictures of our feathered friends in there.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a really interesting talk, yes such terrible news to come home to, it seems at times the world is going to implode on itself.
ReplyDeleteYour thoroughly enjoyable evening out certainly is a sharp contrast with Friday night in Paris.
ReplyDeleteYes, there is evil and danger in our world. I continue to encourage my mind to embrace the world's joy, beauty and kindness, although sometimes I can just feel numb.
xo
Very pleased that you had a good night out Pat and it will become a treasured memory.
ReplyDeleteLife has to go one and we people have to continue to enjoy ourselves and take pleasures where and when we can, otherwise it means that the terrorist has won And that must never happen!
Pat,
ReplyDeletePerhaps there is no real answer to this evil world.
All we can do sometimes is to enjoy the small stuff like you did last night
I visited the website you listed for John Webster and his photos are wonderful; brightened up this sad day. Thank you. I think John Gray is correct that we need to enjoy the small treasures we come across.
ReplyDeleteThe photographs are stunning, in an unhappy world.
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ReplyDeleteThe hatred of Islam is not the solution, but sadly that is where people are focusing their anger. And it will take the rest of the Islamic world to rise up against these terrorists to stop this violence.
ReplyDeleteThank you to John Webster for showing us that, despite the actions of the few, the world is still a rather wonderful place. If we forget that then we are giving the upper hand to those who commit these atrocities.
ReplyDeleteIf you stop enjoying life, then they have won.
ReplyDeleteI am puzzled as to where the HA heard the "outpouring of hatred for Islam". I heard news bulletins but not this. I heard that ISIL Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant have claimed responsibility for the murders. This organisation says it wants to take over the world and it is my view that we do not want them to and they should be stopped. I heard grief and helplessness but no hatred for Islam.
ReplyDeleteNor do I feel that there is any more hatred of Muslims since this atrocity; suspicion maybe, and caution, but not hatred. As you say, these were mostly young people out for either a meal or a concert (it could have been a presentation of photographs and a curry), and their lives ended. We are in shock here in France, and I think we shall remain so for a long while.
ReplyDeleteWell the photos are so beautiful. There is a peace in our everyday lives, captured by bloggers and photographers. The Paris tragedy is terrible, all those families who have lost loved ones. I find no hatred in the news, only shock and sadness, the laying of flowers and burning candles show respect and love. I wish there was an answer though to stop the killing.
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone for those wise words. I shall now send an e mail to John Webster telling him to look at your comments as I am sure he will find them interesting.
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