My grandfather was talented in captivating an audience. I can picture him sitting on a bench, leaning slightly on his cane, his nose full of tobacco snuff. And I can still here us, the grandchildren, asking him wide-mouthed:

“Is it really true… grandpa?”

“Those who don’t know how to tell the truth don’t deserve to be listened to” answered our grandfather.
Jonas Jonasson

This week left no room for blissful satisfied thinking. 7 days, like 7 dwarves, but for us, the days gone by, we need only the appearance of Snow White to get a glimpse of a happy appearance. Phooey to all that.

And of course, In Syria, Marie Colvin, Rémi Ochlik died, Paul Conroy escaped to Beirut, Javier Espinosa joined him there, Edith Bouvier and the well-loved William Daniels have finally been freed. Fantastic, after being used in an appalling way for electoral purposes. Ok, I hope they all make it home to their families safe and sound. What about the news? The elephants are ailing as well, hope in Russia for the elections…? I am having troubles with the Guardian/Observer group whose pictures are no longer in the column, . Did you notice that in France, this week, the birds have begun their delightful spring chirping… My grandfather had the talent of captivating an audience. I can see him seated on a bench, leaning slightly on his cane, the nose full of tobacco snuff.

Best wishes

Michel Philippot