R.I.P

Where were you when you heard that Michael Jackson had died? I was watching the news when the newscaster mentioned that MJ had been taken to hospital. It was about 10.20pm. I thought nothing about it. At 3am, Babe woke me up and told me that he was dead.

From that day onwards, everything was focused on him. And why not? His unique blend of soul, funk and rock made him the biggest pop act in the world. My favourite song will always be Earth Song, the  last UK hit to really cross over to the mainstream and was a Christmas number one in 1995. Written as a protest against environmental destruction, the song's simple, wordless hook is a plaintive howl of despair which never fails to give me goose bumps. Borrowing Jermaine Jackson’s tribute “May Allah be with you Michael, always."

Did you watch the harrowing footage of Neda Agha Soltan? An Iranian pro-democracy supporter, she was shot dead in the heart by the Iranian security services. She and friends were stuck in traffic when they stepped out to get some fresh air. Devastating footage on the last moments of her life was beamed all over the world. She now had become the symbol of struggle against the hardline Iranian regime. Innalillawainnalillahirajiun*

At work, we’d an open staff meeting where the Big Boss announced proposals concerned a proposed new staff structure. Proposed??? It was actually dismantling the framework of everything. We knew something was happening but didn’t expect to be this bad. My department and the subject librarians were the worst affected. In fact, we were dismissed from our posts and had to reapply again. WTF???

8 of us are in Grade 5. There will be 4 Grade 5 post and 3 Grade 4 posts. So one of us will be made redundant or ‘assimilated’ into other posts. What’s the difference between the 2 grades apart from lower wages? No one knows. Which means doing the same jobs but being paid less!!! The morale is so low. Everyone has a knife on someone’s back. I guess better watch my back now huh…

Wish me luck and watch this space. By the way, R.I.P too to whatever my colleagues and I had before. Things will surely never be the same again. I’m soo damned angry!!!

Breathe in…out… s-l-o-w-l-y

I was in the kitchen when I noticed several magpies and crows squabbling by my fig tree. What’s going on?  I rushed out and guess what? They were fighting over my ripe figs!!! Shoooo… Thankfully I managed to rescue about 5 figs. Freshly-picked home grown figs are just to die for. They were soo succulent and sweet.  Must remember to check the tree often.

Finally, I managed to meet the swan family which I’d followed since March. Mama Swan had 8 eggs in total and 6 hatched in April. They went off radar for a while. It was fantastic to see the parents with 3 surviving cygnets floating in the lake. Papa Swan was busy keeping his family safe. Just  don’t get too close.

We now have Pickles the hedgehog on video. Babe had set up the video camera and I could watch him wandering about and eating in the garden from inside the casa. Although he doesn’t come nightly, I’m always looking forward to seeing him. Who knows? He might bring his family around.

Yesterday we went for a long walk around Brandon Marsh to clear the cobwebs. It was a very hot, humid afternoon. By the visitor centre we were greeted by this delightful sight. The pheasant was jumping to get to the birdfeeder. He did it several times and knocked the peanuts onto the ground.  A pity he’d to share them with the wood-pigeons.

We also observed the Common Terns feeding their overgrown fluffy chicks. Several juvenile herons were resting on the island and Red Shanks busy feeding on the mud banks. The lapwings were making a lot of noise as usual.and the Oystercatchers were busy chasing each other.  The swans, Canada Geese, cormorants and various ducks were just minding their own business.

But what caught my attention was this reed warbler feeding its chick. I could see it flirting about gathering food and flying back to the chick. It was a very comforting sight.

A heatwave is to hit the UK bringing soaring day and night time temperatures and thundery showers throughout next week. So I guess it’s not only me who’s raging. Be safe.

Thanks CK for the call and all the best JK.

*From Allah we came, to Allah we return