31 July 2014 Update

It seems that updates are out of the question as I am working on a novel that takes all my time and energy and has three foci. One is to delineate a pagan cosmogony/theogony; another, a fictional tale a century or two in the future; and the third on my own life and my present dealings with aging and taxes and life has it continues to unfold. A precedent over this, however, is first to complete my delayed IRS return. But preceding this is further work on the Oxford UP article on Indra. And before any of this I am currently preparing my Pagan Ethics manuscript for publication. So these are incredibly busy times.

And I learned through Lee Cherry last week that Toni Morgan’s heart stopped about a month ago. I do not have dates for Toni but knew her from the commune days in Amsterdam. She nursed both her parents in their final days and then did the same for her brother with MS, and through all this and the loss of her family, her own health was undermined. She retreated into virtual solitude and cut off all communication. As upsetting as this was, I knew I had to respect her own decisions. Her last words to me on the 7th of November 2012 were “My god we could wake up in the morning  and Romney could be president.” And the day before: “Take care of your dear selves and keep me posted please. I love you both dearly.” May she now be in peace.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0605074/

Two days later, I learned first through Holli at Cherry Hill Seminary that Margot Adler (16 April 1946 – 28 July 2014) had passed that morning. Margot was someone I fell in love with after reading her Drawing Down the Moon. Through the pagan network, eventually I got to know her personally. When their son Alex turned 18, Margot and her husband brought him to Amsterdam because of his wish to experience the coffeeshops. They stayed with us, and we had a marvelous week. They returned to New York, and within days John learned that he was terminally ill. Margot, having already cared for her mother throughout her final illness, said that she knew what to do and how to do it. And then, after John’s passing, Margot herself was diagnosed with cancer. For several years she remained without symptoms and continued with her daily constitutionals in Central Park, her work at NPR and her attendance at countless pagan events. But then on the 17th of June, she wrote, “Things are difficult right now. Six weeks ago lost all energy -  lungs at issue, went on steroids which were illusory but magical - but had to get off steroids to start clinical trial- now started clinical trial - we shall see. Margot” May she now find happiness in the lap of the Goddess!

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/30/business/margot-adler-68-journalist-and-priestess-dies.html?_r=0

For the rest, the Palestinian, Ukrainian and Syrian/ISIL conflicts among too many others are disheartening beyond belief.

But on happier notes, we had some marvelous times with the Holland Festival as well as a June visit from Jacqueline and Hans and early July visits by both Chloe and Andras Corban.  And more recently, Leonard, Peter and Jason came through Amsterdam en route to the Midi – with Lucinda and Corirose on their honeymoon arriving the same day. A few lovely restaurant experiences – including De Kas which was beyond superb. And then, of course, a party for which the honeymooning couple performed with music and songs, Solveig and Hans did the same, and even Richard sang his love song to me, “The Worst Damn Habit.” The lads did the actual cooking which was marvelous, and among those who were here were Stephan and Koen, Jim and Amr, Fred and Vicky (who brought salad and garlic bread), Carole and Robert, Willian and Alexis, Faye, Santima and Debisu - twenty-three of us in all including a Norwegian friend of Hans and Solveig.

So it all remains full, full, full. Some sadness, some good times, and much too busy. Elizabeth Thornley has agreed to become my personal assistant. We are aiming to start mid-September on my birthday. One of my deepest wishes at present is that this might help make life a bit more relaxed and enjoyable.