My 2 Shetlands

Bath has a mystical vibration, a sub current of other-worldly, psychic connections. When I think of words that describe this city there are so many that come to mind. History, secrets, privilege, tourists, exploration, dogs, mental health, art, commercialism, creativity, cheese, lack of racial diversity, bookstores, beer/cider, spiritual, swans, nature, refinement, crafts, food, repurpose, disparity, garden allotments, youth, location, Romans, waterways, buskers, hikers, balance, friendly, community, pride, craftsmanship, clouds, music. It all depends on which street you choose to walk down.

Yesterday I stopped in a church that doubles as a cafe during the day. What a creative idea to spend time in a cafe enjoying the gorgeous cathedral ceilings, stained glass windows, artwork and statues resting on a pew with a table and internet, drinking a coffee and eating carrot cake.

Fostering Ponies at Bath City Farm

“4 legs good 2 legs bad.” Animal Farm

Where does that leave the chicken?

Who can resist an adorable farm animal. The cute little pink spotted curly-tailed piglets. The baby goats twisting into S shapes as they launch in the air making me envy their flexibility and escape tenacity. Baby chicks peeping for mum or a spot of grain. Woolly lambs sticking like velcro to mom for 3rd breakfasts from her teat. At Bath City Farm I found some new and familiar friends.

Dougie and Doughal are my special foster ponies with a generous grant from Kenz and Diane for Mother’s Day. I wouldn't really say adoption since they don't live with us, yet.

Do you know that Shetland ponies love to swim? From close observation these two love to eat!

In the Shetland Islands ponies were used to pull carts filled with seaweed and peat and worked in the mines. When the mine act of 1842 prohibited men and children from working in the pits, the ponies became the popular method for transport. Yeah! women and children, sad for the ponies. The use of ponies in the mines stopped in 1960. They roam free on the islands and over the centuries have developed their short legs and solid bodies adapting to the island conditions.

Dougie and Doughal face no such hardships, their lives are especially sweet with meals in the meadow and fences to scratch their bottoms on. Such nice reminders of my Welsh ponies in Minnesota.

I have just released a docu/short about the famous Shetland ponies, I like to think of them as the 2Dsons. Please watch and enjoy.

Emperor Selassie of Ethiopia

Haile Selassie’s ghost and I have crossed paths, twice. The first was in my carefree youth in Jamaica. Jamaican Rastafarians truly believe he is the second coming of Christ.

The second was in Bath 43 years later...

A clue left on a walking trail piqued our curiosity and we followed it to an enlightening connection between Ethiopia and Bath.

From 1936 to 1941 Emperor Haile Selassie walked this path

Emperor Selassie had a close relationship with British royalty. When Haile and his family fled Ethiopia during Italy’s occupation in WWII he was attracted to Bath. Some conjecture he felt a symbolic connection with the Roman Gods that were a part of Bath’s enigma. His mission was also diplomatic to appeal to foreign powers to assist him in regaining his countries independence, which didn't happen until Britain entered WWII.

Haile started his life as Tafari Makonnen. He gilded it with Ras to add some panache. Ras (Prince) Tafari (one who is respected or feared) Makonnen (his family name). Ta dah! Hence Rastafari.

He wasn’t shy about his claim to grandeur and gradually added to his titles, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah and King of Kings of Ethiopia, Lord of Lords and Elect of God.

The emperor at the Roman Baths in Bath

Haile was short of stature, dramatic in dress, principled in his beliefs, noted to have possessed a super power and was skilled in enthralling people.

Black Not Purple was Selassies color. I’m reminded of Prince, O(+> - or the “artist formerly known as Prince”. Somewhat eccentric, Haile wore a long black cape and was known to walk Bath late at night with a very tall man who walked his 2 little dogs. Despite the titles and dress he remained low-key in Bath and was very well liked. He lived in Bath for 6 years.

Fairfield House, a 14 room Georgian manor where the Selassie entourage lived, was donated in 1954 when Selassie returned and became a Freeman of Bath. He left it as a center for elders and community events. It is arevered place by Ethiopians and Rastafarians.

The Jamaican veneration of Selassie is closely connected with the Rasta ideology that considers Ethiopia to be Zion: the promised land for Black people. Ethiopia, under its ancient name Kush, is the first identifiable country to be named in the Judeo-Christian Bible and most mentioned. Ethiopia was formerly called Abyssinia.

Bob Marley's statue at Fairfield House

Haile Selassie claimed direct descent from Makeda, the Queen of Sheba, and King Solomon. He never formally condoned or condemned marijuana but was happy to have the Rasta movement increase his following.

Emperor Selassie, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah statue at Fairfield House

Emperor Selassie fascinates me as do so many historic figures. Everything that flows from history here is like a delicious beverage that never quenches my thirst.

About Town

3 Inch Fools lead us in laughter with Robin Hood and his Merry People at the Holburne Museum outdoor theater.

Roman Baths light up for a tapestry woven evening of a capella music with the Gesualdo Six.

Irish Music Busker outside the Roman Baths.

I love to turn over every leaf, open every storefront door, meet the restaurant owners, climb every hill several times, walk the waterways twice weekly, meet the ghosts, learn the customs-new words-idioms, read the books written in Bath. Observing life is a thrill.

I find that Eureka moment when I can make the connections from my new learned observations to the scattered bins of knowledge and memories tucked away in my brain. Every story stems from memories, creativity and knowledge.

Catching up with Mama Swanny and her teenagers. You can see white feathers starting to peak through their grey coat. Even Swans have a story.