Whoever keeps Quiet agrees to Everything.

 "To study history means submitting to chaos and nevertheless retaining faith in order and meaning." "Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, be fortified by it, do wonders through it, but one can not communicate and teach it."  Hermann Hesse.  "India was remarkable to see, all those parrots flying about, the brilliant foliage and the brilliant sky. It was tremendous pageant, I never noticed the poverty." Ruth Prawer Jhabvala. "As a body everybody is single, as a soul never."  Hermann Hesse.   While tomcats mark their area with urine (unless spayed and neutered), hooligans mark it with their litter (usually various kinds of wrappings, peelings, paper cups and plastic bottles). Kids copy adults and youngsters. As they rarely get criticized for this, they see no reason to change. Looks look milk is getting difficult to obtain again soon. Sugar and coffee, confiscated from those who intended to make money on the black market, is about to arrive in shops /has returned and will be much appreciated. North Africa likes it sweet. Following a fair amount of rain, we now have tapped water around the clock. We had stopped taking it for granted and should continue to value the supply. Of all those kittens in front of my house only 3 remained. Hopefully the others are still alive and found a loving home. New ones are brought by ignorant folks, wonder what is going on in their heads. We aren't getting younger, definituly aren't rich, don't receive any donations and don't even posses a garden. How can we be expected to cope with an endless flow of kittens? Placed in front of our house they are at risk of getting run over by cars. It breaks my heart, but I cannot take them indoors. Janina has lost a lot of weight, even though she hasn't stopped eating, cats' sausage in small chunks and croquettes. Approx. 6 years ago I found her close to my house, only 2 month old. Two months later she already needed dental treatment. Janina is a quiet, gentle little treasure, getting on well with everone, humans and cats. I fear she might be the next one to leave me (over the rainbow).  - The German minister of foreign affairs, A. Baerbock, speaking about Palestine, said that "coarse force must not win." Having listened to Netanyahu in front of the UN assembly, I fully agree. Netanyahu at least was honest, he doesn't want peace but continue fighting until a complete victory has been achieved. Sounds familiar (historic speech). Many - of the few who remained present during his speech or listening to his words later through a different media- were shocked by his contempt for the UN organisation, calling it " a swamp of antisemitism" . Netanyahu had promised more security for Israel and Jewish folks, but he obviously is not the right leader to accomplish this, his own citizens say so. Proud to have been elected (too few votes to govern without his far right, extreme coalition), he is as destructive as an elephant in a porcelain shop, putting it mildly. Further, he didn't seem to understand why there are plans to issue an international arrest warrant for him and his defence minister (Galant). I've heard folks with little education and lack of historic knowledge, sometimes say " Hitler was a good man and he was right murdering Jews." That really makes me mad. How can anyone say such horrible things? Hitler was a monster and he had no reason whatsoever to commit such horrible crimes! Hitler, came from a poor family, some relatives suffered from mental disorder, a jewish doctor saved his mother's life. When the unemployed Adolf slept on the street (in Austria) and later on in a house for homeless persons, he enjoyed free meals (Suppenkueche) sponsored by Rothschild, a rich Jew, who had empathy with those in dire need. The Jewish guy, with whom Hitler shared a room, suggested for income to do postcard sized copy drawings of paintings. He helped selling these to tourists, mainly Jews. Since Hitler owed a lot to Jews, why this hatred? It was convient to have a scapegoat for everything that goes wrong, plus envy, and a chance to shamelessly exploit and rob, enjoy the power to torture and kill, being able to decide who is to die and who to live. European Jews and certainly those living in Germany, had no plans to leave the country, where they and their ancesters were born and raised, which language they spoke and culture they knew. They often were well educated, had good jobs and houses, considered themselves rightfully as Germans. During the 1. world war they fought for Germany (approx. 10 % didn't survive), so why should they be arrested, tortured, murdered in concentration camps? Those who couldn't believe such senseless atrocities will happen, paid a heavy price. Understandable that Germany now continues to feel they have a lot to "make good". But is it the right way? And why doesn't the country see the connection with the suffering of Palestinians? Aren't the Palestinians "the Jews of the Jews?" People like Netanyahu destroy the soul of Israelians and jewish folks' life has become less secure. It is wrong and shows a lack of historic knowledge, to lump all jews together. Are all moslims alike, no matter where they live? There is no such thing as a jewish race, we are talking about a religion. The often extremist settlers living on occupied land in Gaza and well educated jews in Europe are planets apart. In UK I knew several jewish folks, obviously well educated, generous, liberal minded. I enjoyed our discussions and I can't say even one bad word about them. In Germany I never met any jews, but I once listened there to an amazing concentration camp survivor,  Margot Friedlaender: "What has happened we can't change, only it must never happen again."  This great lady is meanwhile 102 years old. She teaches love, not hate. 

Postscript Swords to Ploughshares (Jesaya 2,4)

Malek

Ali

 "When dealing with the insane, the best method is to pretend to be sane."  "The bourglois prefer comfort to pleasure, convenience to liberty, and a pleasant temperature to the deathly inner consuming fire."  Hermann Hesse. " Suffering doesn't improve human beings, does it? "  Herta Mueller. " It is good for you to see your friends arrested. It hardens you. There's no place in our New Order for sentimentalists. "  Curt Siodmak.         "You need a forever war in order to be a forever president."  Comment of an Israeli.      This year has been very tough for me, though nothing in comparison to the suffering of many in this world, where military strikes are the "new diplomacy."  It is a highly dangerous game with fire. Libanon used to be called "Petit Swizz", a beautiful country with ancient history and sites. Now likely to become a second Gaza? Approx. 30 years ago I heard the following joke, with a sad message: What would happen if two weak countries have a conflict and ask the UN for help? The conflict will disappear. What would happen if a weak and a strong country have a conflict and ask the UN for help? The weak country will disappear. What would happen if two strong countries have a conflict and ask the UN for help? The UN will disappear...... What can a paper tiger achieve? Femi Kuti: "Africans should be talking and asking questions, like why does America and Russia have the right to veto votes? These countries talk about democracy and yet are not democratic themselves." Netanyahu likes to practice collective punishment. I used to believe that it was an invention of the Nazis. UN statement: " Nothing justifies collective punishment. "  Don't teach your child that it can do whatever it wants, no limits, no one has the right to criticize or punish it, no respect for anyone. That is how I see the Israelian government, like such a child, growing up under the very special protection of American "Daddy"(and Germany, practicing double standards ) . If the US government seriously wants an end of the Gaza war, no war in Libanon, etc. why continue to supply weapons? Aren't such actions schizophrenic? Why this endless need for " self-defence" ? Guterres declared that "the level of immunity is moraly intolerable" . A different world is possible, but this requires wise, honest leaders, willing to tackle the problems of our day and age and honouring of human rights. Many statements of various politicians, directed to Putin, might as well be addressed to Netanyahu. Double standards the new normal of our "modern society"? - I suffered a big loss, my very special Habibi, tomcat Malek, passed over the rainbow. It is very difficult not having this great little darling, my daily sunshine, around anymore. I adopted him 5 years and 10 months ago. If there is a paradise for cats I shall see him and quite a few other wonderful feral treasures (this year Rosy, Melanie, Coco, Tareqa, Minousa, Lady Gaga, Salvador, between 1 and 6 years old) again one day. I feel very sad and I'm not ashamed of my tears. 

Swords to Ploughshares (Jesaya 2,4)

 "Act the way you would like to be and soon you'll be the way you act." "This world is full of conflicts and things that can not be reconciled. But there are moments when we can..... reconcile and embrace the whole mess, and that is what I mean by " Halleluyah"( song) " Leonard Cohen.  " Grey hair is a sign of age, not wisdom. " " The cheapest way to improve your looks is to wear a smile. " " Law is a cobweb which catches small animals but not big ones. "   " A child who asks questions does not become a fool. " Ubuntu African Proverbs    Leaving a supermarket, we got approached by a middle-aged man, who wanted to show us something scribbled on a piece of paper, plus his bad gum and the gabs in his mouth. Was he asking for toothpaste and a toothbrush? The advantage of removable false teeth to crown sprang to my mind, should one need or want to beg. Anyhow, we already have several cats that require dental treatments. As for myself, the last time I went for a  professional teeth-cleaning, the lady surprised me by doubling her previous charge. Unpleasantly surprised I asked her whether she's serious. Guess some folks would declare they have no intention to buy her clinic but just wanted to pay for the treatment. Our street continues to be very loud, approximately 10 year olds on a motorbike, circling, accelerating, creating infernal sounds, innocent and uneducated kids cheering, not aware of it's adding to the destruction of their future. Soon school will start, but it won't make much difference, the night is not considered to be for sleeping, facilitated by bright street lights. Luckily children rarely snore, so sleeping pupils won't disturb much the teaching effords in the mornings. The special food for cats with kidney problems is rather expensive, but Malek is not impressed, doesn't feel like eating, while our other feral kids find the smell very tempting and if we'd let them, it would be all gone in no time. My poor little darling can't exist just on love (continues to cuddle) and air. It's worrying.  I feel compelled to force some of his prescribed food into his little mouth. As my sweetie loves me, he more or less accepts this and makes no attempt to bite me, but he must be wondering why I treat him so bad lately and in addition give him medicines that he never ordered, poor gentle Habibi. They say Tunisia is a poor country, nevertheless there are fireworks nearly every night (usually bought for wedding celebrations) and the streets are congested with mainly new expensive cars, plus very young kids who have apparently received motorbikes to play with.  Even though we have many registered taxis, there are times when it appears to be impossible to find one that is available. The drivers remove the "Taxi" sign when ending their working hours, often around lunch time. "Mummy" is strict and waiting so they must be punctual. Perhaps my comments are unfair, their shift has simply ended, but why aren't there more taxis now starting the other shift hours? - "Swords to ploughshares", an old demand of German peace organisations (forgotten nowadays???), actually a quote from the Old Testament, shared by Christian, Islamic and Jewish religions. Isn't it strange? The concept is that military weapons and technologies (!!!) are converted for peaceful civilian applications. Seems our modern, civilized society has "better" solutions:

Wedding celebration

more and more weapons for which unlimited amounts of money is available, advanced technologies for killings on a greater scale, international human rights and conventions just a suggestion, violations kind of normal, everything can be justified with a few magic words like terrorist, self-defence.... I read Israel is recruiting asylum seekers from Africa for the Gaza war, in return they are offered residential status. Mercenary Israelian style in view of more more of the country's citizens demanding an end of the war. Whatever you do, never sell your soul. 

Postscript Anyway and Anyhow

 "A bird who wakes up early just to sing, besides the river bank, will soon discover that crocodiles do not admire the sound."  "The relatives of a poor man are mostly known during his funeral."  "A blind man and a deaf woman are the happiest couple ever." "The history of African Ancestors is written in blood and cannot be unwritten by lies in ink." "Money can't talk, yet it can make lies look like the truth."   Ubuntu African Proverbs.       Sweet Kaja was recently close to death. She was breathing rapidly, a worrying sign I only know too well. Our veterinarian said she is in such a poor state of health that he can't guarantee she will survive. We both agreed not to give up Kaja, even when chances are so slim. So for four days I took our little treasure daily to the veterinarian, every morning my first worry, is she still alive? Happy about every little progress. Now she's perfectly fine and seems to understand and appreciate my engagement for her. She wants to cuddle with me more than ever. My money was well spent! My biggest treasure and joy are our feral children, but they also bring sadness and tears. Quite unexpectedly our lovely, lively, all black honey, Coco passed away one morning, it happened quickly before I had a chance to take her to the vet. Our sweet, gentle tomcat, Malek, my very special habibi, has kidney problems. His values are worrying. He stopped eating for 2 days, so I took him for a check up, hoping and praying for his recovery. The result of the blood test came as a real shock. As a human he would need dialysis, but not surprisingly something like this does not exit here for pets. Apart from special food, rather expensive croquettes (glad they are at least available), my little darling has to put up with various injections and I need to give him twice a day an infusion under the skin (not into a vein or into muscle), at present without time limit, and he receives antibiotics. My fear Malek would hate me for this "tuture" were unjustified. He cuddles with me. But another worry, he doesn't eat much, hopefully this will improve. A couple of days ago, when my husband went to the toilet early in the morning, Malek ran into the bedroom and started to cuddle with me. What a great way to wake up! He is so adorable, even while in a poor state of health. And he understands my efforts to save him. The summer this year is really tough and with a high amount of moisture in the air it is worse, already at 5 a. m. I feel like I am melting. Various cats are sneezing, in view of this I wonder what winter will bring. - When Mr. Putin recently visited Mongolia, some folks in Europe and US aked why didn't he get arrested there (he was invited) , after all the ICC issued an international arrest warrant last year...... Other citizens wonder how much longer will it take ICC to issue an international arrest warrant for PM Netanyahu, his defence minister, Y. Galant, and leaders of Hamas. The International Criminal Court prosecuter, Karim Khan, urges judges to quickly do so, the court's juristriction is after all well established. Strange, countries like US, Germany, UK (the previous government, unlike the present one, Hamdullah, Labour Party) questioned and delayed it - but not reference Mr. Putin. "All are equal, but some are more equal than others." (George Orwell, Animal Farm). Thousands march in London and other places to demand a cease - fire in Gaza and suspension of all arms sales to Israel. Demanding the end of a war and at the same time sell arms to one of the conflict parties, isn't it like pooring fluel into the fire? Haven't we seen enough of  "self-defence"? While the weapon industry gets richer, people get poorer. -  World literature day, let me talk about James Baldwin, born 100 years ago in Harlem, sadly passed away much too early, already in 1987, a great writer and activist for human rights. I was fortunate to discover him as a writer, a child looking for an English book. I think it was "Go and tell it on the Mountain." I was fascinated and decided to save as much money as possible, (e. g. walk 5 km to grammar school and thus not have to pay the bus  fare)  for more paperbacks from him. Eventually I discovered that this brilliant poet not only writes novels (his first one at the age of 26) but also short stories and plays, main subject black lifes, humanity and rasism. James Baldwin spend several years in Paris, where he enjoyed more freedom and was seen as an American, yet in America "as a nigger". He became one of my favourite writers. James Baldwin said: "People will always hate what they can't understand and they hate so much because they understand so little." Doesn't this explain a lot about the new, brave world we are living in? More and more weapons and destruction instead of diplomacy and honest negotiations.