We’ve had dramatic thunderstorms this week so far and are grateful for the rain. Our dog, however, is thoroughly miserable… And some of this week’s news has been troubling, so far. A lot happening, but I will just focus on the major things for now. Lots of little things are bubbling, though, just under the surface.

Fahdeen Ferguson is now on the run.

The great escape: There are so many disturbing aspects to the case of Mario Deane, who was severely beaten in a Montego Bay police lockup and subsequently died on Independence Day, that it is hard to know where to start. Now, a man who is described as a key witness for the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) in the case escaped from custody early on Sunday morning, while he was being transferred for a video identification parade. He was on housebreaking and burglary charges. I heard that…

My Dear Friends,

Compassion, something that is always on my mind, am I compassionate enough, do I help people who are in need of my help and support, do I listen with Empathy (with the intent to really understand), do I go out of my way to do my best for the environment, for mother nature, for the people around me and for the long term good of our planet?

All good questions and ones in which I ask myself each and every day.

I came across this really interesting Nat Geo video re Compassion, it has some really cool observations, tests of compassion and pointers to watch out for in yourself and in others.

Please give it a few minutes of your busy day and think on the content…Are you compassionate?

Have a wonderful weekend full of love, happiness and compassion.

Namaste with Love
Always
Mark

Charlotte Kitley has blogged on The Huffington Post UK since 2013 and sadly passed away on Tuesday 16 September from bowel cancer. She wrote one final post that she wished to share with all of her readers.

Everyone should read her beautiful words of wisdom.

I’ve always been a good planner. I like lists and tick sheets, to-do notes and objectives. I’m very good at starting things, but honestly, I am also easily bored and quickly lose interest once the original excitement passes.

I haven’t had the luxury of being allowed to be bored of having cancer. It isn’t something you can just give up if you don’t fancy doing it that day. There isn’t a switch you can chose to turn off one day from the next. At least not for me. From my first day as a cancer patient, I have attended every test, scan and appointment. I…

Eight people arrested by police in Devon and Cornwall investigating alleged slavery offences and people trafficking have been charged.

Police arrested the eight – five women and three men aged aged between 25 and 37 – during four raids in Plymouth and one in Bodmin earlier this week.

Officers said they had been charged with offences related to conspiracy over labour exploitation and money laundering.

They are due before magistrates later.

Those charged include:

Lenka Cmejlova, 32, of Union Street, PlymouthNela Dzurkova, 26, of Ford Park Road, PlymouthKaterina Kuriova, 35, of Saltash Road, Keyham, PlymouthJiri Sebelik, 37, of Union Street, PlymouthMartin Tancos, 35, of Saltash Road, PlymouthPetr Tancos, 35, of Ford Park Road, PlymouthSandra Tancosova, 25, of Flora Court, PlymouthRuzena Tancosova, 34, of Union Street, Plymouth

The suspects, all originally from eastern Europe, were arrested in raids which were part of Operation Triage, which was launched in March.

They were…

Yesterday, I wrote a post that it never occurred to me to become a photographer, although I felt that nature photographers have the BEST job in the world. I find nature photography: exciting and meditative and rejuvenating and healthy and joyful…. and yet I never pursued it as a career. Today, I wonder why anyone would pursue a career unless it was exciting and meditative and rejuvenating and healthy and joyful…?

As I look back at the  past half-century I found some clues what took me so long:

Family Storytime

Family storytime involves important sentences like this:

“Hon, how was your day?”

I’m talking important at a level higher than that you took the time to acknowledge your spouse. Your kids are listening to the answer to this question.

Are they hearing statements like:

The boss is a jerk.

I can’t wait for the weekend.

Only 3,663 days to retirement.

I…

Schools Stockpile Grenade Launchers, M16 Rifles, Armored Vehicles And Other Military Equipment

” Nearly two dozen legal, civil rights, and education advocacy organizations recently sent a letter to the U.S. departments of Defense, Justice and Education to plead with federal officials to stop sending military equipment, weapons and armored vehicles to public schools.

  The move comes as an increasing number of school districts across the country take part in the Department of Defense’s Excess Property Program, commonly known as the 1033 program. The Huffington Post reports that at least 20 schools have taken in military-grade equipment, from grenade launchers to laptops, since the program started in 1997.

  The equipment is given to schools, public university police forces and local police agencies free of charge, but is considered to be on indefinite loan from the government.

“ The recent events in Ferguson, Missouri, demonstrate the tensions that invariably…