Jancis

It's been a weekend of great sadness and worry. The world news has been absolutely dreadful.
Thank goodness for someone who is much wiser than anyone I know who is alive today. My mum's friend, who is 93, phones us regularly. He lives alone in a small first floor apartment and hasn't been outside for several years. He watches TV and the news and gets a newspaper once a week. He phoned today and asked me to find some info on the internet for him - I do this regularly (mostly about old films and lyrics of old songs). Today he had me flummoxed - "you need to find out about The Prince", he said.
"OK", I said.
"Machiavelli's Prince" (he didn't pronounce Machiavelli very well), "It will explain to you what is going on in the world".
I didn't understand but I knew he was onto something as he is a mine of philosophical information when it comes to world news. He mentioned Norway and I realised I should do some research. I looked up The Prince for him and am now about to send him the print-out pages. Apparently the young killer was impressed by The Prince. Not sure if I understand, other than about "bad deeds for political power" but am very impressed with our learned 92 yr old friend nevertheless. His brain is in very good shape and I wish he wasn't living in that flat all on his own - it seems such a waste of wonderful intellect and talent.