From the wonderful Spitalfields Life: "In the seventies, while living in Mile End Place ... photographer Philip Cunningham took these tender portraits of his friends and colleagues."


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Sparrows were feeding in a freezing drizzle
That while you watched turned to pieces of snow
Riding a gradient invisible
From silver aslant to random, white, and slow.

There came a moment that you couldn’t tell.
And then they clearly flew instead of fell.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

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American suburbs provide an excess of privacy, but deny proximity to those places upon which a community life depends.

Ray Oldenberg, The Great Good Place

Ten days in, my theme for 2024 is: “Be attentive”:

• Pay attention to what I pay attention to, and jettison stuff that doesn’t pay back with value.
• Improve focus on stuff that is valuable. (Takes practice!)
• Be attentive and responsive (or least present) to others.

(NB: They all take practice.)

Could any tiger
Drink martinis, smoke cigars,
And last as we do?