The Writing Wolf

I grew up in the town of Walsall in the West Midland. St. Matthew’s Church has dominated the Walsall skyline since the 13th century. And it dominated the first 20 years of my life when I lived in Walsall.  I went to the church school, Blue Coat, attached to the church. And I read the lesson there at our leaving service. At school we learned the history of the church. And we spent time making sketches of it in art class. Sketching the wonderful stonework left me with a life long love of stone. The earliest surviving reference to the church was around 1220 as a grant by William Ruffus to the Abbey of St. Mary in Halesowen. The grant was confirmed by Henry III in 1258. The inner crypt, which dates from that time is the oldest man-made structure in the town. The church was originally dedicated to All Saints but in the 18th century it was rededicated to Saint Matthew. We had a day off from school on his day, after we had attended church, of course. It is the main parish church of the to...

North to Alaska is on TV again and once more there is the lovely Capucine. For me, when I was growing up, she the epitomized all that was French and all that one aspired to be in terms of looks and grace. Capucine was a Golden Globe-nominated French actress and fashion model best known for her role as Simone Clouseau in the 1963 comedy The Pink Panther and as Michelle "Angel" in North to Alaska. Born Germaine Lefebvre in Saint-Raphaël, in the South of France, Cpucine  soon exhibited an independent, non-conformist personality. She attended school in France and received a B.A. in foreign languages. At 17, while riding in a carriage in Paris, a commercial photographer noticed her. Her elegance and sophistication soon brought her to the attention of modeling agencies where she became a regular fashion model for such fashion houses as Givenchy. Capucine was great friends with Audrey Hepburn , the two having met while modelling in the 40s. They shared an apartment toge...

I fell in love with Edith Piaf a very long time ago. I was fourteen and crazy for all things French. At that time in our lives most of us fantasize about finding the great love. Girls did it when I was young and I hope they do it still. We try to imagine what it will be like.  Most of my ideas about love came from reading Françoise Sagan  ; "a charming little monster".  Then I discovered Piaf and love on a completely different level; love in the bones and soul as well in the heart and the flesh. Piaff's voice wreaks of pain, as my breath must have wreaked of the forbidden Gauloises Disque Bleu cigarettes. I can't remember how I came to own a recording of La Vie En Rose.  But I can remember the days leading up to my 15th birthday very well.  In the twilight, not wanting to switch the light on to spoil the mood and dreaming to the sound of her voice singing this over and over again; "When he takes me in his arms and speaks softly to me, I see life in r...

   In the darkness Drums are beating Telling of a ancient wrong Do you hear them Oh my Sister? Can you sing Old sorrow's song? Did your Mother Tell the story As you sat beside her hearth? Did your Father Tell your Brother As they trod the forest path? Song of sorrow Song of history Like a birthmark on the skin Only love can heal the wound now! Only love forgive the sin Love sung out By hearth, In forest Let the heart song Now begin

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MphBfoSUWrM] Amergin, Bard of the Milesians, lays claim to the Land of Ireland I am a stag: of seven tines, I am a flood: across a plain, I am a wind: on a deep lake, I am a tear: the Sun lets fall, I am a hawk: above the cliff, I am a thorn: beneath the nail, I am a wonder: among flowers, I am a wizard: who but I Sets the cool head aflame with smoke? I am a spear: that roars for blood, I am a salmon: in a pool, I am a lure: from paradise, I am a hill: where poets walk, I am a boar: ruthless and red, I am a breaker: threatening doom, I am a tide: that drags to death, I am an infant: who but I Peeps from the unhewn dolmen, arch? I am the womb: of every holt, I am the blaze: on every hill, I am the queen: of every hive, I am the shield: for every head, I am the tomb: of every hope. Song of Amergin translated by Robert Graves , from  The White Goddess , Faber and Faber Limited, 24 Russell Square London WC1. It appears here under the principle of Fai...

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="192" caption="Benedict Cumberbatch, a 21st Century Sherlock"] [/caption] We all know Mr Darcy of Pride and Prejudice has a mysterious attraction for women. It has been pondered on for years and by many! But is the same thing true of Sherlock Holmes ? Certainly for me it is! For some reason this hero of detective fiction fascinates me! And I don’t think it is only for the quality of his mind, although that is certainly part of the magic. Sherlock Holmes certainly seems to represent some archetype as a Victorian gentlemen detective. This brilliant, London based, “consulting” detective has an odd charisma all his own. He seems to mesmerise both men and women and people have great difficulty recognising that he is, in truth, a creature of fiction. Many visitors seek out his home and I gather letters are still sent to his London address asking for help in solving difficult crimes. But for all his popularity, he...

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