Venus and Mars

/ Benn Bell / 3 Comments

Guest post by Robbin Caroll

Robbin Caroll. Photo Credit: Whitney Vale

The essence of his energy preceded his physical presence

He was unconditional love, understanding, and gentle strength

He was passionate, patient, and kind

His heart was full of tenderness and love, yet he was fiery and

fierce

He loved her like no other could

His fingertips ever so gently moving slowly over every curve and

inch of her body as he whispered “I love you, I love you, I love

you”

He knew the shape of her body, the essence of her soul, the

workings of her mind, and the Goddess that layed within his grasp

He knew her inside and out

He saw what no other could see

The deepness of her heart and soul

The beauty she hid within the cold walls of her delicate being

He felt what no other could feel within the ethers of her limitless

and abundant heart and soul

She was mysterious and mystical, his Goddess and his nymph

She was his map and he was her soul’s great expedition

He left no stone unturned and no crevice unexplored

She could feel his touch ever so softly as her body started to

tingle within the warmth of her femininity

Her body defied her

She dropped her sword and shield

Removed her armor

And gave herself to him freely

She exhaled in ecstasy as he entered her divine sacred space

willingly, tenderly, gently, and passionately

Together their passions erupted and their sacred juices flowed

into beingness

The two light beings joining became one vibrant light of love in the

infinite universe…

~RC~

Yab-Yum

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Yab-Yum. Mother-father. Yin-yang. The mystical union of the active force (masculine) with wisdom (prajna or the feminine force). A fusion that is necessary to overcome the false duality of appearances in the striving toward spiritual enlightenment.

Ulalume

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Here once, through an alley Titanic,

Of cypress, I roamed with my soul –

Of cypress, with Psyche, my soul…

Thus I pacified Psyche and kissed her…

And I said: What is written, sweet sister,

On the door of this legend tomb?

EAP

“Mr. Poe, why don’t you write your poems so that everyone can understand them?” He replied, “Madam, I write so that every body can not understand them.

My Soul She Shrieks

My soul, she shrieks and flings me down

Laughing maniacally

The wind picks up and lifts her dress

Teasing and pleasing me

All is nothingness, so she says

As she pins me to the bed

With a silver shaft of cold, cold steel

She runs me through and through.

BFB

“Mr. Bell, why don’t you write your poems so that everyone can understand them?” I replied, “Madam, I write so that every body can not understand them.

Five Things my Grandpappy Used to Say

/ Benn Bell / 1 Comment

Redux

  1. It’s not what you used to be that counts, it’s what you are now.
  2. He’s independent as a hog on ice.
  3. Boy, you need to take that camera and throw it in the river.
  4. Don’t make the other fellers living for him.
  5. Huh? Pigs say huh! Pinch their tails and they say un huh!

Gorillas in the Mist

/ Benn Bell / 2 Comments

Thought of the Day

Photo by the author

In the final analysis, we are all just gorillas in the mist, flesh, and bone and a hank of hair, with weird personality traits and a funny thing called consciousness. I think Jung had it right, but we must remember the German language doesn’t distinguish between mind and soul. The mind does not perceive the mind just a sharp knife cannot cut itself, so it is with the mind, and ultimate reality is beyond the scope of the intellect.

Tar

/ Benn Bell / 3 Comments

Movie Blurb

I had an interesting discussion last night with my family on the Movie Tar. The movie, starring Cate Blanchett, is about a female conductor who rose to the heights of her profession, abused her power, and had a precipitous fall from grace. I have watched this difficult movie twice and must confess I found it quite fascinating.

My granddaughter, who is a musical conductor herself, hasn’t seen it. She said she didn’t want to see a film that disparages her chosen field. Her husband watched it and said he liked it. My brother-in-law said there was no one to like in this film. My sister said that the woman on whom the film was based said it was an inaccurate portrayal of her and her profession. Well, it was a fictional character. Actually, she said the film was anti-woman.

I have a little different take. I believe the film was about “cancel culture” and the current #MeToo movement which seems to be pervading the art world lately and is a cautionary tale to be not too quick to “cancel” artists and their great works which would be tantamount to erasing history. Miss Blanchett in a recent interview about the subject gave Picasso as an example. There were probably a lot of things going on around his studio but who can deny the power and majesty and sheer genius of Guernica?

These ideas are well worth thinking about.

Your thoughts?

Vigilance

/ Benn Bell / 3 Comments

“All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

America is a unique country in the history of the world. Founded on the concept of liberty and equality it is a beacon of hope to all. If you were born in this country at this time, you have pretty much won the lottery. What you do with your life is up to you, but the potential for greatness and the opportunity for success and happiness is here. People from all over the world want to come here.

Freedom is worth preserving and the cost of liberty is vigilance.

That is why the clown show in Washington is of such concern to me. The clowns and the jugglers like Trump, DeSantis, Matt Gaetz, Loren Boebert, Marjorie Taylor Greene, George Santos, and Kevin McCarthy present a clear and present danger to our freedom and democracy. They want to control what you read and what you say. What you study in school and whom you can marry. They want to control women’s bodies. They are like ravening wolves in sheep’s clothing.

They are snake oil salesmen who would sell their snake oil on a street corner in hell touting its medicinal effects on healing burns. They are lies and liars and should be called out at every opportunity. With a Republican-controlled House, things will only get worse before they get better. Stay vigilant.

El Chameleon

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Dive Bar

El Chameleon
Ron
Cora

RON

Lots of cool human lizards slither at the El Chameleon – Best Dive Bar in Ajijic.

CORA

Did we go there? Can’t remember.

RON

Yes, we did. You probably can’t remember because you were in deep conversation with Captain Morgan that night.

CORA

I remember you taking me home. Couldn’t remember the name of that bar. I didn’t think it was a dive. Kinda cute. And that hot little Mexican cutie thought you were cute. Did you ever find her again?

RON

No. It’s a dive. A nice dive. But a dive.

CORA

Now I am embarrassed to show you, my dives. Hahaha. Lol! Why do you call it a dive bar? What kind of bar is it?

RON

It’s the No Chance Saloon. It’s the Bedrock Bar, The End of the Line Cafe, The bottom of the Sea Rathskeller! Although they do try to keep up appearances with all their pipe dreams of yesterdays and tomorrows, as you will see for yourself if you are there very long.

All photographs by the author

Way Down in Mexico

/ Benn Bell / 3 Comments

Back in Ajijic Again

I have now made my third foray onto this enchanted isle of beautiful sunsets, gorgeous senioritas, and delicious margaritas. I am talking of course, of the magical town of Ajijic, Mexico located on the shores of Lake Chapala nestled in the shadows of the Sierra Madre mountains.

Ajijic is an Indian name meaning the place where the water flows. In 2021 Ajijic was appointed Pueblo Magicio (Magic Town) by the Secretary of Tourism of Mexico for the work of this town in protecting and preserving its cultural heritage. It is a sight to behold and welcoming place to visit. While we are here we will be looking at property and seriously considering joining the already large expat community that currently lives here.

We already have friends who live here and we are making more every day. Many of our friends and acquaintances make regular pilgrimage here. It is a wonderful place to visit and I hope to live.

Yesterday we went to a musical event at a local hang out called El Bar Co. They had a rooftop band called The Romeos and it was packed. Here included are a few snaps from the event.

Having Fun at El Bar Co
Crowd Control
The Romeos
San Antonio Rose
Making New Friends
What’ll you have?

Buddha Deep in his Thoughts
A cutie, a real Mexican Beauty
A happy camper
Every picture tells a story. Should I ask her to join me in a hot tub or should I ask her out to dinner?

Buddha and I go back many years and I love him like a brother. But you know how I feel about my brother. And it’s because of this guy that I started coming down here in the first place.

Buddha brings a little chaos with him everywhere he goes. Like the other night. We went to a dive bar called El Chameleon. On the way there he was on a video call with a friend from Louisville and showing her the way. He was walking 20 paces ahead of me. I asked him where this place was and he said he knew how to find it. Is it past Colon, I asked. I don’t know, he answered. So he took a left on some street and we walked two blocks to a dead end. Oh! This is a dead end he says. Well, why did you turn down this street, I asked. Because I don’t know what I’m doing, he said. Then he took off again retracing his steps and gabbing to the woman in louisville the whole time while I am trailing along behind him and wondering why.

Finally we get to El Chameleon and I call him out on the video call and he tells the lady, I got to go. So we go in and have a couple of drinks and he settles down a bit and we have a nice conversation. Turns out he was in there the previous night with another friend of ours and he meets this beautiful Mexican Chick who tells him to ditch the blonde. That’s why I wanted to come back here tonight to see if she shows up again. The truth comes out.

The next day He tells me he has slowed down a lot and is not so much always in a hurry. Yes you are! I say, and I remind him of the events of the previous evening. He says, and I quote, “Fuck you! And for now on, The first thing I’m going to say to you when I see you is fuck you, just to save time.” Maureen is falling out her chair laughing. With that, Buddha gets up and walks over to a beautiful Mexican woman sitting at another table and whispers in her ear. She turns her head to look at him and smiles. Then Buddha exits the restaurant.

All par for the course way down in Mexico.