An image of Hadrian’s Wall, a symbol of the “Pax Romana”
Today is Thursday March 7, 2024. Kia ora!
It’s a while since I blogged. After we came home from Hawkes Bay, it was good to be able to use our driveway, and our garage again.
I was very tired after our return. We went shopping in Thorndon; I went to church, and then a friend came to visit. Then I went to hymn singing on Wednesday morning and to my Thursday singing. There was a Te Reo Māori class; and I got my hair cut and coloured on Friday 1 March, having moved the appointment from the previous Friday, since we stayed an extra day in Hawkes Bay. On Saturday night we looked after two of our grandchildren – there was no fighting! They’re quite big now (Intermediate and primary school age), and we didn’t have to bathe them, or care for them as we did when they were smaller.
The next morning I went to church, and there was a congregational meeting afterwards to consider a decision before the local church. This was most interesting: there were some very strong views on both sides; but it took quite a while, of course.
That afternoon there were two appointments in Tawa. Afterwards we bought some savouries from Nada Bakery in Tawa just before they closed, but it wasn’t a great idea: there was little food left, and the hot goods have been kept warm for hours, by this time. I was very hungry, since I hadn’t had lunch because of the length of the congregational meeting.
On Monday I took things very quietly; it rained off and on, but between showers we managed to walk up to the local café for lunch.
On Tuesday morning I went to Bible Study. I had thought it was to be on Numbers 21:4-9, and so I had studied those verses and printed maps about the Israelites’ forty year journey in the wilderness. In the event, we studied John chapter 3, which is a wonderful text, of course. I had decided that even if the reading were changed (as sometimes happens!), it didn’t really matter, since there was always something to learn. Actually the texts are linked. In Numbers 21 verse 8 Moses is told to make a serpent and put it on a pole, and lift it up: whoever looked on the serpent would live. In John 3, verse 14 Jesus says: “ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, thus must the Son of man be lifted up”, then in verse 15 it says: “that everyone who believes on him may not perish, but have eternal life”. So that was really interesting. I really must learn more about the Israelites’ wandering in the wilderness after Moses led them out of Egypt. Spoiler alert: there was lots of grizzling, some idolatry (the golden calf), and lots of wars; and the Ten Commandments, of course.
In US politics, things have been happening: the US Supreme Court has decided to hear Trump’s claim of immunity as president: they will start hearing oral arguments on 24 April! That’s ages away! They’ve also ruled that no state can eliminate Trump from the ballot. They’re saying it’s Congress’s job to determine if Trump caused an insurrection as per the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution; but hey, even if Congress were to pass such a law, would Trump, as president, ever sign it into law? Will he ever be tried? He’s almost certainly the republican candidate for president, having won Republican primaries in every state except Washington and Vermont, which were won by Nikki Haley. However Haley is pulling out of competing for the presidency; whether she’ll endorse Trump remains unclear. I must say I still find her really annoying, although her getting under Trump’s skin was amusing. Mitch McConnell will stand down as shadow leader of the US Senate from the end of the year; meanwhile he’s endorsed Trump (although Trump insulted his wife, even though she was a member of his cabinet). Americans are now realizing that the courts will not save them from Trump becoming president; meanwhile, he’s doing as well as or better than Biden in the preferred president polls. I wish they’d realize, and acknowledge, that whoever is US president has a huge effect on the rest of the world, as former Prime Minister of Australia Malcolm Turnbull made clear to Nicole Wallace on her Deadline White House program on MSNBC. Meanwhile, a few voices are saying that Biden has been the best president in their lifetime. Here’s a link to one such voice: here’s a link. JD found this, I had not heard of this guy.
I always listen to The Rest is History podcast, which comes out here on Monday and Thursday afternoons. I usually find it really interesting, especially the episodes on Carthage. Carthage! This featured hugely in Roman history and literature, featuring Queen Dido of Carthage as waylaying the hero Aeneas who fled burning Troy to found Rome (see Vergil’s great epic poem the Aeneid), and the three Punic Wars where Rome fought against Carthage, before it’s final destruction.
Imagine my disappointment this week then when Monday’s episode was The History of Chocolate (sponsored by Cadburys), and this afternoon’s episode, not released yet, is History’s Greatest Monkeys! Really and truly, what a come down. I must say, too, that like Dominic, I find it frustrating when Tom Holland questions an “accepted” version of events, saying it might not be true. While this may be interesting it’s potentially confusing!
I’ve just finished reading Tom Holland’s Pax, about the Pax Romana throughout the Roman Empire. The Preface talks about Hadrian’s Wall, between Scotland and England, and finishes with the wonderful Pantheon, finished in Hadrian’s time as Emperor. This book covers Nero as Emperor through to the death of Hadrian. Of course, it wasn’t always peaceful everywhere, and pax romana was achieved by a great deal of violence, but they left some amazing buildings and aqueducts as well I remember the first time we were in Rome, in January 1974, and seeing the Pantheon – isn’t that a famous building? There was a policeman standing outside it carrying a machine gun. He looked about 15! What a joy it was then, in that dangerous time, to come across almost deserted monuments and explore them, without the crowds. I remember most the wonderful doors, which still move easily.
It’s now Friday March 8.
So it is, rather than seems, that the US Presidential contest will be between President Biden and former president Donal Trump. That means that Trump will be entitled to intelligence briefings (as I noted earlier), although he’s under indictment for holding on to classified documents. There is great concern about this in the US, as might be expected; it’s extremely concerning for all of us, too.
On Tuesday evening I went to one of three Lenten studies organized by the minister. This was at the church, starting at 6:30 pm, abd we were invited to bring a snack. I brought crackers and Hohepa cheese and quince paste, a current favourite. It was a pleasant session, about prayer, but did not finish until almost 8:30 pm! We had not had dinner, and I had an early start the next morning for hymn singing. I learnt several things there, including the TSP acronym, which I rather like: Thanks, Sorry, Please!
This afternoon I finished reading Jan Morris’s Venice on my kindle. While I prefer to read a book on paper, and flip back and forth through it, I have enjoyed the simplicity of the kindle. It’s great for travelling, too. But what a wonderful book! Ruskin said that the Doges’ Palace was at the centre of the world, and I’m rather inclined to agree with him, having seen it myself in February 2010 and been very impressed, by the maps, the artwork, the chastity belt (once seen, you can’t un-see it), and the dreadful prison underneath, where “Noli me tangere” was carved on a wall. Don’t touch me!
It’s now Saturday March 9.
Today it’s fine, and much warmer than it’s been the last few days. So it’s time for chinos and sandals again. We went shopping in Thorndon, where it was very busy. Many of the things I wanted to buy were “On Special”, so the bill was surprisingly large; “special” just means one is saving perhaps 50 cents, but of course I get drawn in (JD too). He bought another Sensodyne toothpaste, despite already having two tubes on the go. We bought raspberries and more lovely summer fruit; salad, bread, Havarti cheese slices, fresh beans and lettuce, among other things.
Last night we watched President Biden’s SOTU (State of the Union) address to Congress. I did not watch it live, fearing I would be embarrassed, but I watched it afterwards – more than once. What a marvellous speech! Biden did wonderfully. He seemed to have plenty of energy. The repeated applause is really annoying, although interesting too, in a way. It was absolutely fascinating to watch Mike Johnson, current leader of the Congress, who was sitting right behind the President. His face was a study in discomfort and frustration: he seldom clapped, and shook his head at times, but at least he was polite. One imagined he was getting a text alert from his son for watching porn, and wondering which would be more sinful: watching porn, or watching a democratic president’s address. His discomfort was stunning to watch, especially as Biden challenged Republicans to acknowledge the truth about the 1920 Presidential election, and the January 6 insurrection. He looked as though he was telling himself not to clap, despite being naturally inclined to. So that was fun to watch. Biden is so good at managing the crowd (including Marjorie Taylor Greene), and at speaking in this way. The Supreme Court members were there too, except for Clarence Thomas; he challenged them, too, at times. Biden is being compared to Reagan, and while I’m not a Regan admirer, I can see why this comparison is being made.
There are some local frustrations. News-producing organisations are in trouble: Newshub is to close, and TVNZ is to lose some staff and some programs. The daily newspaper gets thinner and thinner. But the puzzles are still good. I’m not really bothered about TVNZ’s woes, as I seldom watch their so-called news programs, finding them really annoying. In this morning’s paper, there’s a long article about the development of areas of Churton Park and Glenside. There are maps, too, but the print is so tiny that I can’t read it! As one of my sons and I live in the area, I’m really interested. It was recently reported that plans for a link road between Grenada (Village?) and Petone (Horokiwi?) are being dusted off and it’s being seriously considered by the Coalition government, but there was nothing to say or show where the road would start from or end up. So that too is really frustrating. My third example is the local rag, the Independent Herald, which has a story about the Repair Café at the Ngaio Union Church, which is starting up again. Well, full credit, and I would like to use them again, but there was no information about when they would re-start, and for what hours. I guess this information is on Facebook, sorry, META.
Today JD and I went to see “The Great Escaper” at the Lighthouse Cinema at Pauatahanui. It’s a lovely theatre, and we were even warned that the seats had been cleaned and might still be a little wet? Other cinemas, please take note! The film was interesting: I don’t admire Michael Caine, remembering his performance in “Alfie”, but he did a good job here, as did his on-screen wife, played by Glenda Jackson. She’s not particularly good looking, but what an amazing actress she is! The recreation of the Normandy landings made us both cry, although JD claimed that the historical details were incorrect. JD’s Dad was at the D-Day landings. I must say why did the retirement home not have a lift? And if the Bernie character was taking his wife Rene for a walk in her wheel chair, how on earth did they get it up the stairs? At the entrance to the home, or within it? The “apartment” they lived in wasn’t great, either, although the staff were kind. Still, I’m glad I saw the film, walkers, canes, wheelchairs and all.
Afterwards, we came home and JD hung two paintings that he’d been given by our daughter for his recent birthday.
That’s it for now. Slava Ukraini! Ngā mihi nui.
Classic Barbarian 