TO THE ONE WHO SUFFERS OF BEING ALONE

WHY ? WHY ? WHY ?

 

 

Why was I born in the heart of a slum

Hills of waste, horizon of poverty

My only window this patch of blue sky in the morning hours

What would it feel like to find myself in my mother’s arms just once?

All these strangers passing by

One day, they will come for me

What do you want? Don’t hurt me…

Mama will you put your arms around me just once?

 

Why is the sun so scorching today?

Sweat dampening my heavy uniform

My throat parched like their damn bread

Gotta keep running or they’ll beat me

Sawati! Where is he?

I remember. Yesterday… lost him to the rebels

No time to grieve

Nodoby to watch my back now

Only fleeting memories of a childhood home

In the smoke, a bird song

Tells me the world should be different.

 

Why’s dad moving?

Mom tell me, what you hiding from me?

It’s all in your eyes

I can only guess

Makes me even more afraid

You tried everything to keep him happy

It was not your fault, not your fault

I did the dishes yesterday, mom did you see?

Who will teach me how to drive now?

Can I keep Snickers?

Dad don’t go, I’ll be a nice girl!

 

They all live under the same sky

In heaven, a Father hears them

He said he had special angels assigned to them

The words they can’t formulate, he hears

The feelings they have learnt to burry, he knows

The tears they no longer shed, he collects

No matter the street where you were born,

The name you were given

Or if there were arms to shelter you,

There is one loving Father who conceived you

Released you on this earth, present to the world

His love will grow you

His arms will nurture your soul

 

And only he can claim he can mend broken hearts

So, wherever you are, look up, look at the sky.

HOW CAN A CORPSE BE EXQUISITE?

I’m asking you. And yet, “exquisite corpse” or “cadavre exquis” in French, is the name of a technique which was invented by Surrealists in 1925. It is based on an old parlour game in which players write in turn on a sheet of paper, fold it to conceal part of the writing, and then pass it to the next player for a further contribution. But the best is to come. Hear this! This technique can be -and has been- applied to countless other forms of art like painting, drawing, collage, photography, writing books or even cinematography. Needless to say, a wide horizon of possibilities is open to us!

Here are a few examples:

 

 

TONGUE TWISTERS IN THE MOVIE “SINGING IN THE RAIN”

Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor were unforgettable in this movie, weren’t they? Here is a part of the script when Don Lockwood practises his speech with a teacher.

Sinful Caesar sipped his snifter,
seized his knees and sneezed.

-Marvelous.
-Wonderful.

Here is a good one.

”Chester chooses chestnuts,
cheddar cheese with chewy chives.

He chews them and he chooses them.
He chooses them and he chews them. . .

. . .those chestnuts, cheddar cheese
and chives in cheery, charming chunks. ”

-Wonderful! Do another one.
-Thank you.

”Moses supposes his toeses
are roses. . .

. . .but Moses supposes erroneously.

Moses, he knowses
his toeses aren’t roses. . .

. . .as Moses supposes his toeses to be. ”

”Moses supposes his toeses are roses,
but Moses supposes erroneously. ”

But Moses, he knowses
his toes aren’t roses. . .

. . .as Moses supposes his toeses to be.

Moses supposes his toeses are roses,
but Moses supposes erroneously.

A mose is a mose.

A rose is a rose.

A toes is a toes.

If you want to read more of the script, here is the address http://www.script-o-rama.com/movie_scripts/s/singin-in-the-rain-script.html

And this is another website where you can visit French tongue twisters
http://www.jdelire.com:80/vire-langues-blagues-humour.php

DAD, TELL ME WHO I AM?

 

Recently, as I was driving my car, I came to a revelation. Have you ever noticed how a car is the perfect place to have a conversation? You get stuck with somebody and that’s where you open up! Well, that day, my conversation was with God.

 

-I gave you your identity, I heard in my spirit. Because I gave you a name.

Yeah well I know that verse, I thought. “I have called you by name you are mine.” So what?

The voice intensified.

-I told you you are no longer a slave that you should live in fear, but a spirit of adoption I have given you, that you shall call me Abba, Papa.

 

That’s when I started grasping the intensity of God’s covenant to me. I was alone, abandoned by a father, my life shattered and without as much as a ray of hope. But there He came, the Heavenly Father, to pick me, adopt me.

 

So what does a father do? I started asking myself. And the words echoed to me.

He gives a part of his life to his child.

God gave a part of Himself, Jesus, for me.

 

He takes care of the child.

The Lord is my sheperd, I will lack nothing.

 

He protects the child.

The one who dwells in the refuge of the most high, rest in the shadow of the most high.

 

He loves.

See what love the Father has given to us, that we should be called His children.

 

 

 

But most importantly, he gives his name to the child.

God has called me by name. He has given me an identity, a value.

 

A social status too. I am called a child of the most high God, he has sitted me right by Him

and I can proudly lift my head and know I am a princess.

 

TALK ABOUT AN IDENTITY… 

 

LETTER TO UNCLE SAM AND OUR AMERICAN COUSINS

TO MY DEAR AMERICAN FRIENDS

 

 

 

It’s been a little while I’ve wanted to write to you about these elections, forgive me for not doing so earlier.

A little while ago, the American people, this colorful melting-pot of various languages and cultures, have elected their president. Once again, one could see what an influence the USA have on the world as every nations had their eyes turned toward the event. It was literally on every tongue, and I was amazed to discover that polls were held on internet to feel the general opinion toward the next american president. Rarely before has a political event caused so much enthusiasm. John Kennedy himself is forgotten. I even frowned in surprise at the radio speaker’s comment that everybody seemed to find himself in Obama. Interesting… My family and I have followed the American elections as much as possible with the information that we get in France, which is not much nor very reliable. But every evening saw us praying for the future of a government and a country which has so much influence in the world. I remember many of you voicing to me their concerns about the candidates or how to make the right choice and select the man who would carry on God’s plans… Well I just wanted to tell you that we prayed along with you; and as I remember your questions, I just felt that whatever man was chosen, the world was really in God’s hands. He did know which man was going to be elected didn’t he? Sometimes, we hate the fact that people say one thing, yet have different motives. People who pay ridiculous amounts of money to make TV spots which stain the reputation of the other. How can we chose or know or trust in that case??? But I think asking God to hold everything in his hands and trusting him for the future is really an answer and enables him to take control of things. I’ve seen him in my life but I know it’s true for way bigger things So well, keep being an example and a blessing for the rest of the nations

MeRrY cHrIsTmAs! Did I say CHRIST… mas?

I don’t know for you, but this Christmas has been very educational for me. I learnt interesting facts like the fact that Father Christmas wears short sleeves in Australia; that Santa wears white and red because one day, he met Coca Cola; that the word Bible means “library”…

Another Christmas has come and will pass… Hardly thinkable when it’s been weeks that our senses are bombed with all kinds of pressure to consume. sometimes, we come a long way from the traditional family holiday and meaningful time it represents. In this season, I always seem to remember where I was at the same time last year… time to wrap up maybe?

I want to know more about our traditions. Where do all these things that we do at Christmas come from?

And first, what does Christmas mean? It is a composite word meaning “mass of Christ”. Although people generally assume we celebrate Jesus’s birthday on 25th of December (when they know what they are talking about!), it is more likely that this time was chosen so the Catholic Church could compete with rival pagan rituals held at that time of year.

Now, let’s take the Christmas cards. I hope you have already posted yours? hehe I’m late for mine, but it’s on the list, working to the top priorities So Christmas cards became popular in Britain, when the first stamp appeared (Black Penny), causing a revolution in the communication system. Later, it became even possible to send cards without envelope for half a penny.

What about Father Christmas, aka Santa? As children, we are taught that the big man with a long white beard and red clothes carries in a sack presents for nice and obedient children! Well, wait for the kids to be 6 or 7 and they won’t buy it anymore! But until then, they often proceed to write a very serious letter to this good man, asking (or ordering) whatever is on their wish list. In most countries, it is said that he lives near the North Pole, and arrives through the sky on a sledge pulled by reindeer. He comes into houses down the chimney on the 24th at midnight (in some countries it is on St Nicholas ’s day -6th December) and places presents for the children in socks hanging by the fireplace or at the bottom of the family Christmas tree. But beware of naughty children who might find a whip instead!

Father Christmas myth was inspired by the true story of St Nicholas, who used to live in Turkey in the 4th century AD. by all accounts, the man was very generous and particularly devoted to children. He would give money to the destitute, usually without them knowing it. The legend tells  that one day, he climbed the roof of a house and dropped a purse of money down the chimney. It landed in the stocking which a girl had put to dry by the fire! An explanation to our Christmas stockings?

 Oh, I was going to forget the inevitable, THE Christmas tree. Evergreen in our homes, the tree first appeared in 16th century Germany, where people adorned fir trees with apples, roses, candies and colored paper. A legend also reports that Martin Luther, coming back home, glimpsed the stars shining through the branches of a tree. He decided to put candles on a fir tree to recreate the effect. Later in history, Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband, brought the tradition of the tree from his native Germany to England. An illustration showing the royal family gathered around their adorned tree popularized the idea to the people. 

And I could go on and on… Now if you want to tell me yours, I would love to sit by the fireplace, a hot cocoa in my hand, and I’d be all ears

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!

The danger is that we would get wrapped up in wrapping and that we would miss the gift.

 

I haven’t met one single person that was not broken. I am so glad I have Jesus as my crutch and I can lean on Him while He heals me.

 

J. John

PUMPKIN FASHION FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE OCEAN

soooooooooo… My latest blurb was a week ago, when the idea came to make a pumpkin pie. must have been a wind from across the ocean blowing my way, carrying the rich smells of Thanksgiving. indeed, believe it or not, pumpkins are not well appreciated in France. So I decided to explore the unknown territory
now, if you are as inexperienced as I am as far as pumpkins are concerned, you’ll need to know the depths of it. Let’s start from scratch, shall we?

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups pumpkin puree
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup evaporated milk, undiluted/ vanilla ice-cream/milk and yogourt (if you’re desperate)
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 9-inch pie crust, unbaked

Cooking Time: 50 minutes

 

Step 1 – Let’s begin with the real thing

Thou shall wash the pumpkin… just kiddin hehe
Wash the exterior of the pumpkin in cool or warm water. Cut the pumpkin in half.  A serrated knife and a sawing motion works best – a smooth knife is more likely to slip and hurt you! A visitor suggests using a hand saw. 

Step 2 – Scoop out the seeds…

And scrape the insides.  You want to get out that stringy, dangly stuff that coats the inside surface.  I find a heavy ice cream scoop works great for this.

Note: SAVE THE SEEDS

The seeds can be used either to plant pumpkins next year, or roasted to eat this year! Place them in a bowl of water and rub them between your hands. Then, pick out the orange buts (throw that away) and drain off the water. Spread them out on a clean towel or paper towel to dry and they’re ready to save for next year’s planting or roast.

 

 

Preparation:

 

In mixing bowl, combine pumpkin, sugar, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and flour. Add eggs; mix well. Add evaporated milk, water and vanilla; mix well. Pour pumpkin pie mixture into a 9-inch pastry lined pie pan. Preheat oven to 425°. Bake at 425° for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350° and bake pumpkin pie for about 35 minutes longer, until pumpkin pie is set.

 

 

 

 

 

TAP-DANCING

My sister has been a tap-dancer for years, and as often when you live close to a person with a contagious disease, you get contaminated. In a good way It is now often that we watch movies featuring Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly, one commenting on their skills, the other guffawing about their faces and elastic bodies. Yes, we are a good audience.

It is true that tap-dancers are acknowledged to be not only dancers, but percussionists and I would go as far as saying actors.

Now, I learn out of curiosity (yeah, I must be the theoretical part in the tandem of my sis and I) that Tap-dance was born in the XIX th century in New-York, from a blending of clog dance of Northern England, the jigs and reels of Ireland and Scotland with some rhythmic foot stamping of African dances.

Just picture this bunch of new immigrants, newly arrived in an unknown country, whose destiny was to “cook a stew” out of ingredients as diverse as the ones of the melting pot. Different nationalities, languages, social backgrounds, religions coming together to build a new country? This was unheard of at the time. They simply had to create their own culture.

So on a warm summer evening as there can be in NYC, somebody would start playing a jig on his violin in Five Points neighbourhood. Soon, heads popped at the windows, eyes filled with memories of their Irish motherland. It was not long before a man swept along his belle into a wild dance. Around them, people huddled closer, cheering and clapping and watching in awe the dexterity of the couple. Some would not stay on the bench however and a Nigerian mate enters into the circle, wiggling his body and clapping along with the music. “Hey dude, how do you do that?” asks an interested spectator. And one night after the other, they shared secrets and skills until the tap-dance as we know it today was born.

 

 

HULLO UNCLE SAM!!!

To my dear American friends

 

It’s been a little while I’ve wanted to write to you about these elections, forgive me for not doing so earlier.

 

A little while ago, the American people, this colorful melting-pot of various languages and cultures, have elected their president.

-On the side-line, interesting trivia about that, do you know why the electors traditionnally go to the polls the first Tuesday of November? Well, it all comes down to a simple matter of calculation. Back in the 18th, 19th century, people were mostly farmers and usually very busy with agriculture. November was a fine month to summon voters because situated right after harvest time. now, why Tuesday? Well, on Sunday you went to Church and it took up to one day to travel to the polls by chariot, foot or whatever transportation was available at the time. By Tuesday, everybody was good and ready to vote.

But I went astray…

Once again, one could see what an influence the USA have on the world as every nations had their eyes turned toward the event. It was literally on every tongue, and I was amazed to discover that polls were held on internet to feel the general opinion toward the next american president. Rarely before has a political event caused so much enthusiasm. John Kennedy himself is forgotten. I even frowned in surprise at the radio speaker’s comment that everybody seemed to find himself in Obama. Interesting…

 

 

My family and I have followed the American elections as much as possible with the information that we get in France, which is not much nor very reliable. But every evening saw us praying for the future of a government and a country which has so much influence in the world. I remember many of you voicing to me their concerns about the candidates or how to make the right choice and select the man who would carry on God’s plans…

Well I just wanted to tell you that we prayed along with you; and as I remember your questions, I just felt that whatever man was chosen, the world was really in God’s hands. He did know which man was going to be elected didn’t he? Sometimes, we hate the fact that people say one thing, yet have different motives. People who pay ridiculous amounts of money to make TV spots which stain the reputation of the other. How can we chose or know or trust in that case??? But I think asking God to hold everything in his hands and trusting him for the future is really an answer and enables him to take control of things. I’ve seen him in my life but I know it’s true for way bigger things

 

So well, keep being an example and a blessing for the rest of the nations

GREAT SOUTH LAND

This is a song that I learnt while in Australia and I thought the lyrics absolutely captured the beauty of the country. Made me want to stand, hand on my heart, and be an Aussie.

You can listen to it here, although this is not the best version I have heard:

GREAT SOUTHLAND 

This is our nation,
This is our land,
This is our future,
This is our hope.
A land of reaping,
A land of harvest,
This is our land,
This is our home.
Chorus
This is the Great South-land
of the Holy Spirit.
A land of red dust plains
and summer rains,
To this sunburnt land we will see a flood,
And to this Great South-land
His Spirit comes.
This is our nation,
This is our land,
This land of plenty
This land of hope.
The richest harvest
is in her peoples
We see revival
His spirit comes.
Chorus:
This is the Great South-land
of the Holy Spirit.
A land of red dust plains
and summer rains,
To this sunburnt land we will see a flood,
And to this Great South-land
His Spirit comes.
This is our nation,
This is our land,
This lucky country,
of dreams gone dry.
And to these peoples
we see a harvest
And to this land revival comes.
Chorus:
This is the Great South-land
of the Holy Spirit.
A land of red dust plains
and summer rains,
To this sunburnt land we will see a flood,
And to this Great South-land
His Spirit comes.

Geoff Bullock