Silly season or what?

I know that we are always told that the Christmas period is known as the ‘silly season” and nothing exemplifies that more than our orange tree

This tree has produced good fruit consistently for many years and all with a rather predictable regularity

Flowers appearing in late August early September  setting fruit which we would harvest about May the following year

This year it has all gone pear shape with the usual routine being thrown to the winds

The tree flowered as usual in late August, set fruit,  and appeared to thrive

However 2011 was the year of change and the tree has begun a second round of flowering and fruit setting in December. What has caused this I have no idea. Change in weather patters perhaps?  Some delayed shock from the cyclone in February?  Perhaps there is a subliminal message I am still to sort out

Lest hope for the best that the second crop will be as good as previous offerings

Perhaps a sign of things to come

It was just before Christmas when I last spoke to  my dear friend of many years standing A person whom I have mentioned in earlier posts

My call was to be cheery and full of good wishes for the festive season but I could tell that there was a problem in her tone

‘’You sound less than happy “ I said hopefully to trigger a response Little did I know what was to follow

“I have been made redundant” she said “ I will be finishing here on Jan 31 after seventeen years” I felt stunned and could not comprehend why this should be After all my friend had worked herself into a senior position with a major and highly profitable bank.She managed a Branch controlling major business lending and had met all targets and grew business substantially

“What reasons were given? “ I asked .She grew silent and then said slowly “They are rationalizing staffing as they expect the European Financial Crisis to have some fallout here “

The news dampened my spirits as well and my thoughts turned to those who like my friend may face a more dismal future in this country  even though we appear to be traveling well at present .

What does the financial future hold for our world?

Will Darwin be proven correct?

I had a great talk to an old friend the other evening about the very subject of adaptation by creatures generally to their changing environments some it seems undergoing physical change over a period of time

I came away wondering if this theory will ever be proven in the world of humankind especially in the western world

What particularly struck me is this almost incessant talking and texting between the younger set and the obsession with wearing two earplugs attached to wires dangling down to some small electronic equipment

I began to wonder how on earth we in an older generation managed with out instant communication and constant exclusion to sound of the world by music Are these young folk missing out on the sound of the real world? The birds, the wind sounds, traffic noise. the ocean waves crashing to the shore? With this electronic exclusion from the world around them are they missing out in a more balanced development ? Is all this texting- talking etc really communicating? Are the vital nuances of inflection in speech correct spelling and other natural issues being lost forever?

Perhaps not- but we may see humans develop different shape fingers to facilitate easier texting and ears with multi fit canals to hold electronic plugs

Storm clouds

As an older person I am more concerned about the political and financial situation in Europe than I have ever been for some time

The disquiet about the financial mess is not unexpected and the fallout will no doubt have its effect on the rest of the world no matter how strong the economies of individual countries are. In one way or another we are all linked  by financial issues through trade and general commerce

How this matter will be resolved leaves me perplexed with what appears to be so many conflicting opinions and parochial interests coming in to play

It does appear evident to be than if pain is to be endured to solve this problem then its essential that all levels of financial affluence be targeted rather than those on the lower level of society to bear the load. Those who are holders of great wealth can not be expected to escape pain . .

Is it enjoyable or just plain sufferable

Just been traveling away for a few days for a family members milestone birthday party and I must say how I enjoyed the trip Well some of it !

The weather was some ten degrees cooler and about 20 percent less humidity and we were still in the same State !

It just highlights how lucky we are with air travel which makes these things so easy even though air travel does not qualify for a great experience as it once did

Recent industrial turmoil has left staff less than welcoming and service delivery was not up to usual standards

It becomes so obvious to any person who has traveled consistently with the one airline for many years and becoming a life member of their  travel lounge Do you swap loyalties or does one live in hope of changes back to the way they were ?

I guess I am the glass half full type

Is this true ?

Are exits really on the way out?

You never really know

I made a surprise call a few days ago to a friend of many years standing and one of whom I was(and still am) quite fond. Our friendship began when she joined my team as a finance officer many years ago

A special working bond developed and we both spun off each other with a great deal of success  Time spent together caused much consternation with other staff along with the usual rumors no doubt fueled by the fact that the lady was extremely attractive

We had talked about issues of common interest several times and I thought I knew her well

Time moved on and so did we both each pursuing a career but still keeping in touch

She had just returned from a European trip and I could feel the excitement in her voice especially when she spoke about places I had visited my self recently However knowing her as I did I waited to hear her views on Paris It was exactly what I had expected but it was what she said next that caught me off guard.

”Anyhow what else did you do” I said

“Well I had to go to Giverny - that was essential” she replied

“What ?’ I exclaimed ‘I had no idea you were a Monet fan”

‘Yes “ she said .’I don’t believe you didn’t know after our long and deep discussions over all these years”

“No I did not know ‘ I replied “but I am happy about that because its another thing we have in common and it comes as a pleasant surprise after twenty eight years I must say”

You never ever really know about your friends  -do you?