Whatever Normal service is, will be resumed… errm , not sure really!
As I sit here on another deadline weekend conjuring up another few hundred words to sum up life, the universe and everything from our microcosmic viewpoint in the Soar Valley, pondering upon, yet again, the constant change in our lives, especially if you hear and see the news these days.
Here we are at the end of another summer, with most of us around these parts retorting “What Summer?” as Storm Betty floats on by.
Our first Editors’ letter back in 2012 mentioned the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, quoting, in 500BC that there is nothing in life and the world as constant as change, and my word don’t I (Steve) know it.
But, of course, throughout history, those who seek to control and manipulate us, use change as an excuse to frighten us into being better behaved, into accepting more tax burdens, pay more of our sheckles into the collection plates, purchase different machines that cost much more so that we use less and so on and on we go.
I have just finished an excellent book which fictionalised the 24 hours leading up to the eruption of Vesuvius in the fourth week of August in AD79. One of the main characters is the real life scientist and historian Pliny who documented the whole event from beginning to end… almost. At the very end of the book, the writer recreates the last moments Pliny would have had, as the final pyroclastic flow swept down the mountain side to engulf Pompeii:
Men mistook measurement for understanding. And always had to put themselves at the centre of everything. That was their greatest conceit. The earth is becoming warmer it must be our fault! The mountain is destroying us we have not propitiated the gods! It rains too little a comfort to think that these things are somehow connected to our behaviour, that if only we had lived a little better, a little more frugally, our virtue would be rewarded. But here was Nature, sweeping toward him unknowable, all conquering, indifferent and he saw in Her fires the futility of human pretentions.
It was hard to breathe, or even to stand in the wind. The air was full of ash and grit and terrible brilliance. He was choking, the pain across his chest was an iron band. He staggered backward.
Face it, don’t give in.
Face it, like a Roman.
The tide engulfed him.
The title of the book is Pompeii and was written by Robert Harris.
I like to think that our little magazine embraces change, indeed strives to make it happen, to make it better. We have been sending out a plea to you, our readers for feedback, and we are very pleased, even humbled at the response, and the candour to your submissions. Overwhelmingly, to the question we asked “ What else would you like to see in the magazine” The answer was “A What’s On Section Please!”
On pages 50 to 53 you will find our brand new What’s On pages bursting with brilliant things to do, places to go and sights to see. We have expanded our team with Linda Rhodes, a local girl whom Mary and I have know for a few years now and who really knows our area and what’s on. We are proud and pleased to welcome her on board as part of our editorial team as our What’s On editor.
This is the very first Editors’ letter I’ve ever typed on Mary’s computer. Mine is downstairs, being taken from pillar to post this week as Mary is in hospital having some much awaited repairs, but will be home soon. When she returns, Normal Service may well resume, (Don’t bank on it); but for now, please excuse errors, omissions, mistakes et al.
Steve
