flashback delight

student in uniform
Holy Trinity School
Sunday morning Eucharist

This morning we arrived at church early enough that the early service was just letting out.  All the children from Holy Trinity School were in their uniforms, so there was a river of green and white flowing down the driveway towards us. We had to stop and wait - attempting to part the flood like Moses would have been too risky.

By the way, that *is* the early service.  For children.  A children's service as the early service.  Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore. 

Mais revenons à nos moutons, as they say. Close tangent.

the snow cone cart sitting in the cathedral driveway

As we were sitting there in the driveway amid the swarm of children, I looked over, and what should I see but one of the joys of my childhood, right there waiting for the kids:  a snow cone vendor with his cart.  Happy flashbacks of Lions' Park in summer and the little old man who used to come with his cart at odd intervals, never predictable (at least by me and my friends).  Delight in the lucky chance of finding him danced with the delight of flavored ice, cool on the tongue on a hot day.  I wonder if some of these children feel the same.

Are you kidding me?

In 2012, I should not be reading the following:

SHAWANO, WISCONSIN - What's love got to do with it? Not much, especially if you say the words "I love you" in the Menominee language in front of a certain Wisconsin teacher.

Seventh grader Miranda Washinawatok, Menominee, found this out.

Miranda speaks two languages: Menominee and English. She also plays on her basketball team. However, two Thursdays ago she was suspended for one basketball game because she spoke Menominee to a fellow classmate during class...

The principal told Washinawatok that the assistant coach told him she was told by two teachers to bench Miranda for attitude problems.



Miranda Washinawatok
Menominee
photo via article

The alleged 'attitude problem' turned out to be that Miranda said the Menominee word “posoh”  that means “hello”
and said“Ketapanen”
in Menominee that means "I love you."

Miranda and a fellow classmate were talking to each other when Miranda told her how to say "Hello" and "I love you" in Menominee.

"The teacher went back to where the two were sitting and literally slammed her hand down on the desk and said, "How do I know you are not saying something bad?"
http://www.nativenewsnetwork.com/menominee-seventh-grader-suspended-for-saying-i-love-you-in-her-native-language.html

How many ways can you say, WHAT???  There are a lot of things in here which just make me splutter. They're probably obvious enough that I need not point them out.

I understand that this teacher must be terribly insecure as well as racist, but she should be able to control her own fears and work on them, not take them out on children.  I'd say "unbelievable" - and at one point in my life, I probably wouldn't have thought it possible - but sadly, I don't have any reason to disbelieve it now. I'm old enough to have heard personal stories as well as read related items in current news as well as in history books. 

I also find this discouraging from the perspective of a foreign language teacher.  I still remember finding out that, at one point, Louisiana schoolchildren were forbidden to speak French on the playground. As hard as I had to work to learn French, and as much work as it is taking me to build up my poor excuse for Spanish and Haitian Creole, it just blows my mind that anyone would discourage the resources we already have - never mind benching someone for attitude because a foreign language was used in a private conversation.


We must encourage our children to use, maintain, learn, and teach each other all the languages possible.  Our country needs this.  And especially the languages native to America.  It's just so sad. 

carnaval

 It's that time of year again.  Lent is approaching. And how do I know that?  The colorful streets have just gotten a little more colorful, especially down by the Champs-de-Mars (near the palace).  I've been watching the platforms going up - first wood, then white paint, then, today, not only color but very interesting 3-D decorations. 

Carnaval 2012 stage near the Champs de Mars, Port-au-Prince

look closely at the detail on this stage - Carnaval 2012 Port-au-Prince

 There are also various "chars" on the largest streets: huge trucks turned into floats which will, if I understand correctly, carry bands.  While I could be mistaken about that, it is certain that music is a huge part of the festival leading up to Mardi Gras.  Were the convent still standing downtown, I hear we wouldn't be sleeping much.  Who knows, I may still be here when it is rebuilt, and then I will hear for myself. 



setting up a float sponsored by Ti Malice - Carnaval 2012



not quite blocking traffic at the moment,but rush hour?
I'd avoid this street.



possibly the name of the band on the right side - to the left is the sponsor

I don't think we'll hear much from where we live, but we will see.  We already have our neighborhood music, as there is a nearby church that meets multiple times per week - and they always sing.  Lots.
 

I wonder what Lent will be like here.

roadside color

I went to church out of town today. On the way back, I was noticing once again all the color there is here, so I'm sharing it with you.  Enjoy.


on the road from Croix-des-Bouquets

one of many art sale displays

thinking of the song "sunny day" - is that Sesame Street?

bougainvillea everywhere to add color even without paint

I don't always like pink, but somehow I like this.
Maybe it's the hobbit window.

the gate to a preschool

lots of interesting window grates around here

orange and yellow and blue

points for using University of Michigan colors

one of many taptaps thanking Jesus in English

duck!

17th Century Nun’s Prayer

Just found this prayer, posted by a blogger, via Facebook.

I'm not exactly elderly - as a matter of fact, I keep waiting to feel as wise and mature as I thought I would be by now - but I suspect there is still plenty in this for all of us, no matter what our age. So let me share a 17th Century Nun’s Prayer.

 Lord, Thou knowest better than I know myself, that I am growing older and will someday be old. Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all, but Thou knowest Lord that I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point. Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing, and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others’ pains, but help me to endure them with patience.

I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessing cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not want to be a Saint – some of them are so hard to live with – but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil. Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people. And, give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them so.
AMEN

(I might add that a sour young person is not much better. Or a middle-aged one.  But never mind.)

My sister took a photo on her recent trip to the Holy Land.  This elderly lady clearly has had a hard life, as she was begging at a mosque, but her smile is beautiful, as is she.  When I am old, I would love to have that kind of smile that lights up a space, no matter how things are going.  I've seen people like that here in Haiti.  Maybe God will work on me until I am like that, too.



beautiful smile on an elderly woman
Israel-Palestine 2012 
photo by L. Delaney



counting my blessings

If I were in Boston and it were not Monday, I would be praying at Compline, "Thanksgiving for the blessings of this day."  It's a phrase you hear prayed again and again at the convent, and a prayer that comes up more and more frequently in my mind and heart.  My prayer is that it become permanently etched into my being.

It just doesn't get more beautiful than this.

With that thought, I would like to share a few of the things for which I am thankful this evening:

• electricity all day - possibly the first time since Christmas season
• extra sleep
• a day of rest
• my family's safe return from their travels and the chance to talk with them
• encouraging notes from friends
• the marvel of yesterday's beauty, which I'm appreciating again today as I look through my photos
• reminders of God's love as I looked through the scriptures this morning
• coffee jello for dessert at supper - no doubt making it more possible for me to write during evening hours
• a lapful of sleeping puppies tonight - not sure how they all managed to fit themselves onto my legs comfortably enough to sleep, as they are growing, but they did
• an ironed habit for tomorrow
• hard-working sisters
• a friend and a nephew who celebrate their birthday today
• water that didn't run out before I got to the shower this morning
• outstanding pumpkin soup at lunch
• a letter written
• chocolate sent by my mother - and that it didn't melt!
• music
• grace, peace, forgiveness, love
• much more

What is your list today?

roadside-seaside stand

melon and fish for sale - Haiti interior shoreline