Gail's Blog

I have such affection for this story. Alexandra (Bo-bo) Fuller grew up in Rhodesia as it turned into Zimbabwe. Her parents loved Africa, and she grew up loving it deeply. Yet there were so many racial and political issues going on, and a civil war to boot, that you might think that it would be a sad book. But it isn't. It is a story of great heart, courage, and humor. The tug I feel reminds me of my long abiding and deep love for my Grandfather, who left Turkey to escape the draft of young Greek boys. Like many of the Africans in Fuller's story, and like her own family, he lived with terror (his family was massacred after he left) and blood. Yet he gave us, his grandchildren, a deep sense of identity. He became a part of us. His stories became ours, and he made us laugh. His music-making, and dancing excited us. When I read about smoking (yes!), plants, cooking, or dancing in Fuller's memoir, I think of him. When I read about humor amidst terror, I think of him. This char

This is about a recent situation that has become a way of life. My husband lost his job (through no fault of his own) in December, and has become a fixture of the household, specifically in the kitchen, where he uses his laptop. For the first few weeks, in spite of the seriousness of our new situation, it was kind of fun. We both joined Facebook and sat together at the kitchen island "chatting" with friends and trading stories. He told me about different job possibilities he was considering applying for. We were bonding. Six months later, I find myself wishing he would just get back to work! Any work! I make a salad. He asks for some for lunch for himself, too, but could I please put some leftover steak in it? I don't like steak in salad. But I do it. I am working hard on my Blackboard site for teaching, and he asks, innocently, "What else are you going to do today?" Later, "You should go to the gym. You can't just work all day." The dishwasher get

We met again, my Infants & Toddlers class and I, at a special place for home daycare providers. Many of these ladies are from countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran. Walking into my classroom is like going to a foreign country. They speak with lilting, sweet voices, much like the Greek ladies I knew as a child. They ae eager to learn, and are very particular about how you teach them. They have lots of suggestions. I feel like I'm in a big, warm meeting where I am the teacher, but also a servant. I enjoy them. I am frustrated by them (they have a habit of explaining and even translating to each other while I'm talking). But I am in my element. They care very deeply about what they do, and take learning very seriously.

Teaching children: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Cleveland, Ohio

This church is where I was baptised in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. My brother was baptised there as well. I remember sitting in a pew, horrified by his screams. Orthodox infant baptism is full immersion, done by the godparent (in his case, my father's mother). It was very upsetting to a 2 1/2 year old! Even so, I loved this church. Sitting in a Greek Orthodox church is like sitting in heaven. God isn't a very personal God there, but an all-encompassing pressence, permeating the living and dead. The smell of incense, the chant in the incomprehensible and yet familiar language of one's ancestors, the gorgeous icons and paintings, especially the universal living Christ on the dome looking down, all contribute to the sense of being in heaven and earth at the same time. This is, at least, how it was for me as a child. The Greeks don't have women priests, though. That is meaninful to me in the Episcopal Church. I've come to love the Episcopal liturgy as

Today Ridge is 61! He's taking it in stride. I bought him a laptop for Christmas and his birthday, with help from the "kids". We all went to Best Buy to pick it out, with Dan on his cell to his Dad for more help. Ridge likes it. I wanted to get him one because he doesn't have a job and I am wondering if he'll have to do consulting work. In that case, he certainly will need his own laptop. We are taking this no-job thing day to day, depending on God's grace. Lots of people are praying for him, anyway. Church has called him once or twice. We are taking him out to dinner with the Murphys, Geers, Dan & Alix, and Katie at Sunsets in Belmar. I got a nice bonus from preschool that I'm donating to the cause! It's like God gives you what you need when you need it.

This was quite an evening. Sue and I walked our usual four miles along the Spring Lake Boardwalk, while thunderstorms raged out over the ocean, up near north Jersey and New York. When this sight greeted our eyes I pulled out my phone and snapped this picture. I love the guard stand laying on its side right in the middle. This sight says home and peace to me.