Ode to the "big" little flower

Crocuses in front of the house.  Photo credit:  Kathryn Pandowski

Now, in front of the house, in January

colourful, tiny flowers bloom in glory

telling us it’s ‘Spring’ here in Victoria

(a month early)

born from Nature’s hocus-pocus

most people walk by, do not notice

because they’re pre-occupied with pocus-hocus.

Only a few see these tiny Crocus, 

and bend down in wonder. Focus.

For only when you see these gems

will you experience the wonder

of Nature’s hocus-pocus.

Henri van Bentum

Memory

Memories can be precious but are a mystery.  In Greek mythology, the Titan goddess of memory is Mnemosyne, daughter of Gaia and Uranus.  She is also Mother of the Muses.  Amongst other things, she represented the rote memorization required, before the introduction of writing, to preserve the stories of history and sagas of myth.

Mnemosyne, Titan Greek Goddess of Memory and Mother of the Muses 

Maybe creativity could be looked upon as being “Future Memory”. At age 84, we’re fortunate still to recall experiences stored away long ago.  My posts in this blog including the recent Encounters with Wildlife are evidence of memory.

The Nine Muses of Greek Mythology

Although there are multiple 21-century gadgets available that allow us to record, film, communicate or find information on any subject - - - our eyes are still the best camera. In coordination with brain and mind we record all the time.  Memories then are records of ‘filmed’ experiences from the past. Vague, or poor recall could be because the ‘camera was not present’, preventing the filming.  No pictures, no printouts, no memories.  Or, we don’t wish to re-visit certain events and experiences from long ago.  They’re then left in the dark room, undeveloped.

Henri van Bentum writing his blog

Aging, infirmity, amnesia, Alzheimer’s sadly are also causes of memory loss.  We remember, we forget, we remember, etc. Anything could trigger a memory, image or experience of the past.  A scent, a tune, photograph, postcard, anything.  That’s why we say memories are precious.  It’s still a mystery what holds them in the hinterland, the dark room of our minds. Memories differ from dreams, they come from real experiences, re-visited and come to life again.

Henri van Bentum

Cave Art of Lascaux, France - Revisited

There are rumours another cave near Lascaux has been found, but it will not be made accessible to the public. 

This news gave rise and unlocked the memory door for me to mention “How did we get approval to visit the caves of Lascaux back in 1967 when they were already closed to the public four years earlier?”  Following up the recent eight posts about wildlife and animal encounters, it is fitting to speak of this since the cave art depicts mostly animals rendered by unknown Masters, some 17,000 plus years ago. There were eleven of us from Toronto, Canada.  Ten artists and one philosopher and metaphysicist. The artists included a sculptor, dancer, couple of painters, writer, poet etc.  

We arrived at Montignac, the town where Lascaux caves are located in the Dordogne, on a chilly and wet November morning in 1967. Whenever finding myself in another country and needing to know something about a town, I always go to a local bar/bistro.  In Europe especially barkeepers are well informed. So, that’s what we did.  When I went to the local bar and asked the barkeeper if he knew who the guardian of the caves was, he said, “Fermez!”  (“Closed!”)  

  Yes, I said, but who has the keys? After consuming a few ‘reds’ and eggs marinated in vinegar, we learned it was the former Mayor.  When asked for his address, the barkeeper said, “Not so fast!” But when he learned my colleagues were artists who had come all the way from Canada especially to visit the caves, he mellowed somewhat. I promised we would come for lunch and dinner at his place for two or three days.  He was content, and gave me the former Mayor’s address.   

The house was surrounded by a stone wall, with a long-handled pull bell at the door. Turned out the former Mayor was occupied, but could spare 15 minutes the next day. When I appeared again, just like the barkeeper had, in answer to my request he said “Non! Non! Ce n’est pas possible!  Fermez already four years”! But when he heard more about our small group, being artists and a philosopher, and all the way from Canada, he became pensive.  “All artists, are you? Especially to see the caves?"

Eventually he gave permission and not only that, arranged for a very qualified guide.  We each received helmets with flashlights, and also another flashlight to hold. Thus began for us an unforgettable exploration of discovery over the next two days in the ‘closed’ caves of Lascaux. In a much earlier post (Nov 6, 2008) we mentioned our visit, but now we have shared the story of how we obtained permission to experience the ‘closed caves of Lascaux’.

Henri van Bentum

Farewell to Futbol Legend - Eusebio

The amazing "Black Panther" from Mozambique, Eusebio, who played his entire career for Benfica of Lisbon, Portugal went "Over the Horizon" on January 5.  The world has lost a futbol legend.  Eusébio da Silva Ferreira was 71 years old.

To give you an example of how amazing he was, during his 745 career matches he scored - get this - 733 goals!  I had the privilege of watching him play, showing his genius and goal-scoring virtuosity, in Amsterdam at a European Cup Final between Benfica and Real Madrid.  

He was right up there with the "Black Pearl", Pele, and for many was an unsung hero.

Henri van Bentum