It is Halloween. A peaceful, but also a sad weekend. To remember those who have past away, and also, be aware of present life and living. A candle light weekend. Yesterday, I was lucky. I found poetry by Louise Glück. In stock again. A book written in the language of flowers – The Wild Iris. I saw an interview with her and, from what I understand, she is writing close to death. This weekend is an opportunity to give a thought to people who have passed away. All suffering and all who have died due to COVID-19. I believe it is too much for us to cope with. Maybe there is some comforting poetry from nobel price winner Glück. That is why this is an appropriate weekend to read her. Trick or read!
The Corona virus is currently active in a second wave. France and England are very precautious and strict lockdowns are to come. The fact that PM Boris Johnson has suffered from COVID-19 might understandably lead to extra precautions. I am happy that the health authorities in Sweden advise people to be more careful. Stay at home. I wish medical decisions shouldn’t be political. No ostrich policy please.
On top of this, France is struggling with `islamist terrorist´ stabbings. In response to these attacks, President Macron has deployed extra military troops to protect Christian churches and schools. When I read the news, I got a feeling that the diplomatic exchange is tense between France and Turkey with other countries. President Macron has described the acts as “Islamist separatism”. Strong words.
I write about these attacks because this affects us as well. Muslims are living over the whole world, and the internet communication is rapid. Seconds, or rather milliseconds for the word to be spread. How can religion be balanced to avoid future terrorist attacks?
Yes, a lot happens in the world, and I remember that it was not long ago there were bombings in Sweden. That is forgotten now, but I get a little extra alert when I read about the attacks in France. To relax, and to forget some about religion and the Corona virus, I have been walking. I went for a walk an evening this week. Almost rain, not so cold. Humid. Dark but street lights. Suddenly, when I was going to cross a road, I saw the moon. It was so close and it surprised me! Unusual. The sky is different in town compared to the countryside. Since the moon was so different, I had to google. Found that it is special, something called blue moon. And that is when there are two full moons in one calendar month. Last time was in March 2018, please see: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/oct/31/blue-moon-night-sky
Happy Halloween with lots of tricks or read. For inspiration to education. Ending this weekend writing with a “blue moon song”. There are actually a lot of music inspired by blue moon.