The Highwire

As well as being a song by the Raconteurs it means: an activity or situation that is progressing in a stable manner. This nauticalphrase was originally used in reference to a ship that was sailing steadily. (Ships weretraditionally referred to as female.)Support the show

The glorious dead - celebrated at the annual Cenotaph Remembrance.The 11th day of the 11th month at 11am.We continue to commemorate the futility of war and we continue to send "heroes" and "heroines" to their deaths in the name of defence. Diplomacy has changed things very little.Support the show

The pork pie hat goes back a long way to the 19th-century fashionThe origins of the pork pie hat in Western fashion lay in the 1860s. Initially an item of women's wear, this accessory was identifiable through its shape, particularly the narrow brim which distinctively curled round towards the crown of the hat, which was flat, and usually made from straw or velvet in this period.The pork pie hat was small, and would be worn towards the front of the head to account for popular hairstyles of the era. The fashion for pork pie hats soon spread, also becoming a feature of menswear. As a men's accessory, the pork pie was larger, and could be fashioned with decorative ribbons to the back of the hatI've got a friend who is identified by his pork pie hat . it suits himSupport the show

As all the big shopping days arrive - Black Friday et al - I'm struggling on Mondays  - whether its the onset of winter or another week I'm nor sure but its certainly blue. So - a cheerful tune to kick off the week.Support the show

One of the more unusual sights this past week was an elderly Bob Dylan meeting the Pope for an audience at the Vatican. An age ravaged Bob in black hoodie and the pope in his pure white gown - quite a picture,Support the show

The CD released this month is called Equal Earth and can be seen on the "support the show" section. Click on the link to see the details.This is a track from that CDSupport the show

Two consecutive pupils - both called Max didn't make their first lesson after the half term break. This was written in the hour of their absence...Support the show

November 5 - Guy Fawkes Night in the UK - one of the great annual festivals that is gradually in decline succumbing to the irrelevance of Halloween. Guy Fawkes night "celebrates" ( perhaps commemorates is a better word) something really significant a plot that got quite close to damaging the "mother of all parliaments" .The CD released this month is called Equal Earth and can be seen on the "support the show" section. Click on the link to see the details.This is a track from that CDSupport the show

The US mid-terms have generated some extraordinary promises, decisions and attempts to sway voters - its all in someones imagination - I'm not convinced it will result in any positive changes - we'll find out from today onwardsSupport the show

The CD released this month is called Equal Earth and can be seen on the "support the show" section. Click on the link to see the details.This is a track from that CD.Support the show