Hugo Brady Brown

A post with an image from the United States total war on Iran.

America is better than this.

Sometimes the most fascinating aspects don't concern the content of what is posted. The real dramas occur one level up or down. With time and attention, they can be noticed and sometimes even understood.

He too is convinced it was built to new plans in the 1970s from unidentifiable debris on and near the site.

"I couldn't have put it better myself."

High praise.

Iran’s Royal Family in Exile: The Story of Farah Diba and the Mystery of Princess Farahnaz Nearly 50 years after exile, the Pahlavi dynasty is back in the spotlight. Meet Farah Diba, Crown Prince Reza and the mysterious Princess Farahnaz.

They sound ready to serve.

In places like this, looking at the substantial visible archaeological remains and the great numbers of fine historic buildings in other countries, my mind goes back to the grand old man of Irish letters murmuring disparagingly at dinner about 'the mere broken molars of archaeology in this country'.

British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales prepped to set sail The move may raise speculation HMS Prince of Wales could be sent to defend British interests during the Middle East conflict.

Didn't the President say UK was sending two aircraft carriers to the American war?

A man tells me in a mail tonight that he's going to faire le pont next weekend. In Dublin, Ireland. We have come so far.

It was striking, I found, how changing to having a more open and positive attitude to people (and especially to strangers) made life better all round.

Isn't it frustrating?

I was brought up to be deeply distrustful of everyone. I found it was an unrewarding posture, so I changed consciously to trusting people much more. Just a few years ago I was taken for a ride financially by a practiced devious person in real life, which greatly disturbed me.

Could the electorate in the Home of the Brave really be invited to the polls safely while their country is at war?

(I tried to take a snap of the shelf in the shop but got growled at, so I didn't.)

'El Aleph' by Borges in a Spanish Penguin edition

It was cheek by jowl with the John Boyne novels in the Literatura section.

Watch: What do people in Washington think of war in Iran? This week the United States and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury on Iran.

"Washington Correspondent Jackie Fox has been speaking to Americans and holiday makers in the political capital of the world"

RTÉ News

‘Most people are thinking about themselves’: Inspiring women share their life lessons To mark International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the power of hindsight as a range of influential women give advice to your younger selves

'Most people are thinking about themselves, not you.'

Dispiriting intelligence has reached us.

'On the problem of accounting for a mechanism for gas exchange for respiration in defoliated herbaceous or deciduous plants'
(work in progress)

I understand from the political podcasts that the conduct of the Iranians in the present war has been dishonourable because they have struck back at the international community which is pursuing world peace.

I was mugged long ago in a metro station in Brussels (and the police there had no interest at all in the incident), and this small thing brings back the memory of the feelings from that more serious incident. I detested the Brussels police afterwards more than the muggers.

It's my first time to be caught. We just can't let the guard down. Thanks for your kind words.

That is lovely. I see online that David Daniels appeared in it too, in 1996. I really liked his work.

For this relief, much thanks.

Thank you. I am beside myself.

Does announcing on Bluesky that you have fallen for an online scam lead to "closure" or merely to ridicule?

Only €71, but it's the principle of the thing.

Strelitzia plants in flower

I stick a couple of false birds' heads into mine for that flourishing subtropical effect.

Dombeya wallichii

It took a long time to put a name on these, which looked like unusual hydrangeas.

Dombeya wallichii trips off the tongue now.

Cercis canadensis petals fallen to the ground

There's sweet music here that softer falls
Than petals from blown Cercis canadensis on the ground.

"They are slim fit, sir."

An evening's shopping pleasure undermined in a moment.

It's remarkably effective as staged there: I imagine we often see Handel operas 'better' or much better today than the C18th audiences did.
(I noticed that I'll be seeing that orchestra and director tomorrow night with Julia Lezhneva.)

"Nature had played a cruel trick on her by giving her a waxed moustache."

Alan Bennett

"Are you putting hair styling powder into your beard?!"