At 83 it is starting to feel like my life is on a old fashioned 8mm recording tape on a loop . I’m sitting up in bed writing this and thinking was I really a Curley haired little boy once in a totally different world? On Sunday Christmas Day most of our family will be here to celebrate which is always wonderful. From grandchildren Maisie Mark and a young giant Harry aged 2-14-and 23 respectively .Also sons and daughters wives and me at 83. Mind you it ain’t over yet I have far too much to do before the fat lady sings. Just started writing a book of short stories to be published in 2023 , there are paintings to do ,songs to write , places to travel to and so much more. So to all of you keep on trucking and have a lovely Christmas.Klaas

All through the ages since the beginning of mankind the one and only constant has been music . It has survived all human calamities and thrives through all generations . Music is the most wonderful gift anyone can have or share with others ‘The language of music is universal and enduring. and attainable to all in whatever form it takes . In praise of music ,

Hello friends foes and family . Christmas is over . And what a relief . The uncertainty about life in general during COVID has been universally demanding Christmas and getting there was like running a marathon and finally getting over the line , to look for a new beginning. Planning for a better future . Lessons learned not easily forgotten. Always looking forward to the next challenge the next achievement no matter how large or small. Yes we are humans and we can all do something for our planet and each other if we have the vision and will to try and make a difference . So come on it’s a new day to start a better life. Klaas Kalma Author, artist , singer , songwriter , guitarist , ancient , playwright , busker , actor , poet and general larrikin.

This is my second attempt at this . The first attempt disappeared without notice when I pressed the wrong button .Have you done that? Being 80 provides me with limited techno skills ,as you could imagine. Ha ha .Why has this page not a button that allows you to save as you write? And what is that recycle bin doing on the same page? Well that concludes my rant. Now for the story. It is all about how life is really one mighty puzzle. Sue and I during the Corona lockdown decided one of our activities should be a puzzle .A thousand piece puzzle. Are you crazy ? A thousand pieces of a Parisian street scene including the Eifel Tower .As we began with fear and trepidation in our hearts we began the challenge and as in life we soon found obstacles in our way where to start ? Which looked the most likely? Then to find the right pieces . Many many futile attempts and some successes.Hoorah! Just like in life. As we progressed and watched the picture evolve to our goal of completion we kept on keeping on always looking for the right piece and solutions .All our emotions were tested .Frustration , satisfaction determination but never failure we would succeed and finally we did! But not before on piece went missing .Can you imagine the despair. We even resorted to emptying two vacuum cleaner bags .Far more dangerous then Corona but to no avail the piece was not to be found. But Lo and behold on moving a chair for dinner the missing piece appeared . Despondency banished and great celebration and joy arrived just like it can in real life when we don’t give up. KLAAS

Now that I’m in my eighties I think I’m entitled to express my opinion whether people agree or not. I like to act tough but really I’m all marshmallow on the inside especially when it comes to animals and family. But here it comes In 1918 we had the Spanish Flue which killed unaccountable millions.Some say as much as 30 million or more . But is that the point? The point is that clearly humans learned nothing from that disaster or the black plague or typhoid or any other major viral outbreak .Already I’m wrong they soon learned that polluted water was the cause but in this case who is to blame? I have a feeling that the industrial revolution and commercialism was just the beginning of our problems that humans face today. It has allowed people to travel the world as if it has been reduced to the size of a village in the English countryside 200 years ago. Go anywhere anytime and don’t worry about global warming or over population. Weird really here we are shrinking the worlds land mass but increasing the worlds population at an ever increasing rate at a ratio where two babies are born for every person that dies. None of this is sustainable in the long term . So will the world benefit from this major disaster the Corona virus? Very unlikely as the world is controlled by people who will put commercial money making interests above all else . And that too is not sustainable eventually we will all pay the price for not putting the health of the planet first . It is true to say that no civilisation including the Egyptians and others have been able to survive their excesses , in the end they all fell on their own sword. This present civilisation is heading in the same direction unless we have a major restructure and rethink about what we really value and what is best for the planet and all who share in this. Klaas Robert Kalma

I often find trivia frustrating to write about but then I’m stuck for something important to say. A real problem . Just then I had in the pouring rain a young woman \ girl knocking on my door going door to door selling. So I really felt for her . So I asked her Why? There is so much work around , do you have to do this? Her answer was that she felt she needed to prove to herself that she had the discipline to succeed at door to door selling as she has had a history of failing including education . We finished up having a really nice conversation about life rather then what she was selling. But I still felt bad watching this girl disappear into the pouring rain. I hope she finds her niche and happiness.

I’m back from the other side , due to a major heart attack in March this year .Have to say there not much action on the other side as far as  i could tell. In any event it did make me realise how fragile life can be .I had no symptoms and it was only by chance that i called in at my GP who had just received my blood test results .Sit down he urged as did his nurse. Why I enquired .What is the problem ——- Ahhhhh you are in the middle of having an heart attack was the response .You have about 2 hours before i’ts too late .

Me: Well that’s plenty it is only 15 minutes to the hospital ,so plenty of time .

Doc: Mr Kalma we need to call an ambulance right now . Me: You can’t Doc my car is in the car park and I want to drive it home . Alright then suit yourself but remember 2 hours .Me : sure Doc all will be apples. So off i go as it happens my wife is playing golf so i call her and tell her i have a headache and a bit of a nose bleed can she come home and give me a ride to the nearest hospital .Wife: sure i’m just finishing my put, and I’m on my way .Me: thanks Darling see you soon .

M: I’m now back home parking the car , neighbour asks ” how are you klaas ? Me: Fine thank you , but I’m having a serious heart attack .Neighbour: Heart attack!? Me: Yes nothing to worry about just grabbing my toothbrush and pyjamas so Sue my wife can take me to Hospital when she gets here from golf.  Neighbour: Shouldn’t I call an ambulance for you? Me: NO thank you just keep an eye out if you like .

Me: I go inside , Knock knock on the door . Me: Opens the door, another neighbour called Keith could you please help me lift something ,I have a bad back. Me: sorry  Keith i’m having a heart attack and waiting to go to hospital . Neighbour disappears like lightning . Me” waiting with my bag out front of house .

Sue arrives. Me: I get in the car and ask Sue ,how did you play? Sue” OK ,but what is wrong with you ? Me: Nothing much , just a hard attack. Sue: A heart attack! Me: Yes we need to get to hospital soon. Off we go . Arrive at hospital inside 15 minutes Still at least one hour to go before I die. Whats the rush ? We: Walk into emergency and within seconds I’m bundled onto a trolley by a horde of nurses and specialists and taken at breakneck speed to theatre ,where it either begins or ends. Cheers hope the funny side of this factual story comes through.