A HUMOROUS VIEW OF A PAINFUL SITUATION

ISRAEL'S TRAGIC SITUATION

This is what I believe--knowing that so such of the world shares anti-Semitic feelings disguised as anti-Zionism,  no Israeli soldier would attack a highly publicized blockade unless there was gross provocation. I deplore the death of the nine blockade runners and the injuries suffered by  Israel's Shayetet 13. Nevertheless, my support of Israel and its people remains unwavering. Jews everywhere will suffer the consequences of this event. Anti-Semites will use it to justify their hatred. I remain with Israel in solidarity and in hope for a peaceful future.

SHABBAT SHALOM!

EYE IN THE SKY

Manet, Peonies

There is a gizmo on my blog that tells me who has looked at it, how how he accessed it, how long he spent reading, which server he used and much more. I know, for example, that someone in Rabat, Morocco who is a client of Maroc-Telecom gained access through a peculiar site that links Rotring pens and Zionism. This unexpected visitor did not linger, which does not surprise me. I write about many different subjects, but my emphasis is on West Virginia. Though I happen to own a couple of Rotring pens they were given to me by a dear friend who comes from an Episcopalian family with no links to Israel and zero interest in Zionism. I am sorry to disappoint my Moroccan visitor, but these are regular sketch pens with no connections whatever with the Mossad. At least if they do have Israeli intel connections, they are not telling me and that is a good thing. I have enough to think about without getting mixed up in international intrigue.

Life in the lusty little village is sufficiently exciting. As this goes to press, the municipality continues to perpetrate something called Streetscape, a project that supposedly will make main street sidewalks ADA compliant. Well and good. I am all for adding access ramps for wheelchairs to our sidewalks. However, I question the wisdom of going beyond that to build uproot mature trees and replace them with the ugliest bump-out ever to disfigure a town since the demise of Soviet architecture. I fear that to add insult to injury, the municipality will plant the shopping mall trees and characterless landscape roses in the bump-outs. If that does not raise hackles from here to Rabat, something is wrong with the citizenry.

There is much that the municipality could consider doing for the environment. For example, It could build a butterfly preserve, plant pawpaws, which are the favorite food of the rapidly vanishing zebra butterfly. It could choose native plants and wildflowers for the horrible bump-outs instead of ugly unscented roses developed by French corporations. It could transform parts of existing park into wildlife shelters. It could limit car traffic in green spaces. Gosh, I could give the mayor a long list of what could be done, but he would only refer me to a committee and committees seem to spend more time talking than doing.

So, you there in Rabat, unless you garden, cook and fret about West Virginia politics, I've nothing of interest to contribute. To you guys at Fullerton, Ca, LA, CA, Woodbridge, VA, NY, NY, Ranson and Nitro, WV, Winchester, VA, Washington, DC, Waltham, MA, Drexell Hill, PA, Atlanta, GA, Quincy and Lena, IL, Oklahoma City, OK, Vancouver, WA, Berlin, Germany, SP and Rio, Brazil, Cheonan, Korea, Toronto, Canada, Torrevieja, Spain, Campbell River, BC CT and Stockolm, I thank you and Google Analytic thanks you for stopping by. Happy Mother's day.

A REASON TO CELEBRATE

This, from Matt Beynon Rees, who writes with the flawless grace of good Welsh bards,

"My first Omar Yussef Mystery has won its first big prize. Last week in London, I was awarded the Crime Writers Association's John Creasey New Blood Dagger. It's the CWA's prestigious award for a first novel. It's a great thrill, recognition for my book (titled The Bethlehem Murders in the UK; The Collaborator of Bethlehem in the US) and my work. The prize is a real dagger -- I don't know how I'm going to get it through airport security and back to Jerusalem... For this award, I truly want to thank everyone who has worked on my book at my publishers around the world, and all the reviewers and readers who've made the book a success, too. The novel is nominated for two other forthcoming awards (in the US, the Barry and Macavity awards), so perhaps there'll be more good news soon. The second book in the Omar Yussef series, A Grave in Gaza (US)/The Saladin Murders (UK), is already receiving great reviews and the third novel, in which Omar finds himself caught in a sinister murder mystery in Nablus, will be out early next year under the title The Samaritan's Secret. I'm now writing the fourth Omar Yussef Mystery, which takes place in the famous Palestinian town of...Brooklyn.

Best wishes,

Matt

For the full announcement on the CWA website and to see the winners of other CWA awards this year:http://www.thecwa.co.uk/daggers/2008/newblood.html"

Way to go, Matt!