Blood moon. Hair dryers. Arms for sale. Arresting people. Combatting the painting of England flags.

Last night there was an eclipse of the moon … which we didn’t see because there is a huge great hill which prevents us from seeing early evening celestial events like that. I am told the moon was red - another thing we didn’t get to see. However, on the two previous nights, late at night I looked out and saw a splendidly bright almost full moon shining through the trees. In it’s way as impressive as the sights we missed. 

I’ve learnt a new expression today. Somebody writing about a teacher who berated his class for failing their mock GCSE science exam said that the teacher gave them the “hair dryer treatment”.  This changed his whole attitude to studying, persuading him always to put in 100% effort. 

I looked up the expression. It goes back to Alex Ferguson, when he was manager of Manchester United and would give his team the “hairdryer treatment” in the dressing room. It is defined as “the explosions of rage that led to the "hairdryer" tag, so named because of the way Ferguson would stand in front of his victim at such close proximity and shout so hard it resembled a blast of hot air.”

I remain unconvinced that it is the ideal way to manage people but perhaps it works for some. 

Here’s a little item from this morning’s newspapers:

“Fifty-one Israeli arms makers and the US defence giant behind the F-35 fighters used to bomb Gaza are among the 1,600 exhibitors at the biennial DSEI trade show that begins in London’s Docklands on Tuesday.

Their presence will be the focus for hundreds planning to demonstrate outside the four-day arms fair, at which the defence secretary, John Healey, is expected to speak alongside senior British military officials.”

There we go, quietly endorsing the arms industry again!

Meanwhile I hear that over 800 people were arrested this weekend at a  demonstration against the banning of Palestine Action. Among them were pensioners, vicars, retired respectable folk - clearly hoodlums all! 

Here’s a photo of what used to be a fifteen storey building in Gaza city!

As some people insist on painting the England flag on roundabouts and crossings, here’s a response to such painting in the form of a Battenberg cake: 

And finally here’s a cartoon to remind us to look at things from more than one perspective:

Life goes on. Stay safe and well, everyone!