CZAR Rap

Watch out for that Big Bear

He has a pint-sized boss who doesn't care

When he inflicts sorrow or pain

On the dancing and singing people of Ukraine.

Make no mistake 

Although he can be kind

He has only one thing in mind

No matter where or who we are

He thinks he is the new Czar.

Henri van Bentum

Oldest Known ORCA in the World Visits Nearby

 "Granny" (J2) from J Pod, photo Traci Walter

 For those of you who are not living near the Ocean and for our far away readers, this may be of interest.  We live a stone’s throw from the Pacific shores here at Juan de Fuca Strait in Victoria, Canada.   In this region are not only Humpbacks but also southern resident Orcas.  Erroneously called Killer Whales, Orcas are the warriors of the Dolphin species.  Once in a while we see a Pod on our walks, but only seldom since they prefer to be in the Salish Sea near the Gulf Islands.There is an Orca “star”, a centenary-plus great-grandmother who is believed to be 103 years old.  (Average lifespan is 60-80 years.) 

 “Granny” is on the left.  Photo Simon Pidcock.

This matriarch, named Granny, was spotted on the weekend near Saturna Island.  She was with her Pod, called “J Pod” and her “official name” is J2. Researchers say she is in excellent health. The amazing thing is, 103-year old Granny was spotted in California on May 2, which means she has travelled 1,290 kilometres in one week!  Chapeau. Brava! Granny!

Henri van Bentum

Sanatorium "Zonnestraal" - Revisited

In an earlier post, I wrote about how my career in art began in the early 1950’s during a lengthy-stay at a tuberculosis sanatorium in Holland, called Zonnestraal (‘Sunbeam’).   

The sanatorium was made possible by the Amsterdam Diamond Workers Union. Because my father was a diamond-facetter (and my two grandfathers), I was sent there.  
The building was situated in a quiet pine forest near Hilversum. Zonnestraal was a forerunner in architectural and solar design, allowing a maximum amount of sunlight for the patients. Zonnestraal came into disrepair following medical advances in treating tuberculosis.  

 Zonnestraal in disrepair, 1980's
-  a view of what had been the patients' rooms; these rooms were completely open on one side, with no windows.

In the 1990’s a group of architects petitioned to have the building restored because of its major architectural significance.  Not long ago the World Monuments Fund awarded a prize to the architects who restored the building.  Zonnestraal is also awaiting listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 “Founded by the Diamond Workers Union of Amsterdam, the sanatorium was part of a larger aftercare colony for tubercular patients. It was funded by Union dues as a facility that would train members who had been afflicted with the disease for their return to society. Zonnestraal is emblematic of the emerging ideals of social democracy in the Netherlands during the 1920s, and it reflected the new concept of using occupational therapy in health cure.”   World Monuments Fund 

It would have been hard for me to imagine, way back in 1952, that over sixty years later, Zonnestraal would become such an iconic building. I thought we’d share this with you.

Henri van Bentum

Gulliver's Travels Revisited

 Jonathan Swift, author of "Gulliver's Travels"

Remember the animated movie “Gulliver’s Travels” based on Jonathan Swift's story?  

 

There was going to be a war between the Lilliputs and the Blefuscus, and all because of a fierce disagreement about a wedding song. The wedding was to be between Lilliput’s King Little’s daughter, Princess Glory, and King Bombo’s son, Prince David.  King Little wanted the song “Faithful” while King Bombo wanted the song “Forever”.  “Faithful!”  “Forever!”  “Faithful!!”  “Forever!!”  "It’s war!!!" They shouted in unison.

Gulliver acted as mediator and peace-maker by suggesting they combined both songs to make “Faithful Forever”.  The two kings had to think about this for a while. Finally they agreed.

The wedding took place, and a memorable and festive occasion it was. 

Today with wars here there and everywhere, we need another Gulliver. Maybe a dozen. The author's name of Gulliver’s Travels was Swift, but few of us are swift enough to get his message up to that “penthouse” of ours.   One human being with ill-will (especially politicians) can cause great pain and damage to millions.  Add to that nowadays, the environment.  Almost reaching a point of no return for both the human family and all that grows and lives on this minute sphere orbiting and speeding in deep space.

Where oh where is Gulliver when we need him?

Henri van Bentum