June 2005

The varied weather in May of hot sun, cold air and light rain has provided a wealth of flowers and growth all around in the countryside. The cow parsley is providing its usual spectacular white edging to the fields while the May blossoms overhead. The Long Man of Wilmington has suddenly been given a sea of yellow rape below, whilst sheep lie quietly amidst buttercups and daisies and the tall grasses. Summer bedding plants have had to be sheltered still from the sometimes strong and cold winds and we long for a settled period that will herald the arrival of summer.

It is hard when contemplating the bounteousness of nature to understand why men are so destructive and violent both to themselves and the planet. Is it greed or fear or both?

Many are working very hard to try to better the situation, and many are praying for a new spirit to be born into governments and peoples of the whole earth. Whether working or praying, the following verse seems to sum up the positive aspects of those engaged in both activities:

"The waves for ever move;
The hills for ever rest;
Yet each the heavens approve,
And love alike hath blest
A Martha's household care,
A Mary's cloistered prayer."