Time of reflection

I’m a bit reflective today.  While I attended a funeral today and was listening to what was  shared about the person’s life, I was once again struck how sometimes our talents and abilities that we have performed at work or in earlier years may get put away or buried. Is there a talent, ability, hobby, or task that you use to love to do and could share with others? Today libraries often make space open for hobbies to be done over time.  I have thought of a few hobbies and crafts: wood working, welding, bronzes, decorating with hand-made stamping, scrap-booking, hand quilting, sewing, crochet, knitting, weaving, spinning, tatting, canning, make candles, wood or soap carving, canning, calligraphy, photography, restoring antiques, model making, miniature planes or drones, postage stamp, coin, insect collecting, writing, editing, drawing, painting  or pen and ink, calligraphy.

Can you teach others the art of dog training, riding a horse, gardening, decorating, or even repairing a car, machine sewing? There might be someone hoping to find someone about a specific hobby, ability or talent that you have. Don't let your talents be hidden, share with others in your own sphere of influence, or maybe you could try Pinterest (www.pinterest.com)! Join a group that enjoy the same type of hobby or task. Together you can grow together.
 

Interlude before the rush of school!

Welcome to August and the last few weeks before school begins! I want to share with you about a few books that you might read between now and then.  Let’s call it an interlude. The on-line Merriam-Webster Dictionary tells us that one of three definitions means: “A period of time between events or activities” (An Encyclopedia Britannica Company, found at http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interlude).

During your interlude, I might suggest a new book entitled, “The Pearl That Broke Its Shell,” by Nadia Hashimi. Protagonist, Hashimi comes from a family originally from Afghanistan.  She however grew up in the United States. Her parents immigrated in 1970 just before the Russians invaded (back-flap). This book is about a young girl living in Afghanistan. She is forced to apply the bacha posh custom of dressing like a boy so that she can go to school and even go to such mundane things as going to the market.  As she grows older, the question becomes how will she transition to being a young woman in her culture, or even will she.  The author weaves this story in with a woman of an earlier generation who faced the same dilemma.  Read, learn and grow in the cultural difficulties of others around the world face daily.

Another book on this subject is one that is a must read for those who want to understand the time in Afghanistan prior to 9-11.  The citizens of that nation suffered long before we ever were affected by extremists.The Dressmaker of Khair Khana: Five Sisters, One Remarkable Family, and the Woman Who Risked Everything to Keep Them Safe,” by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon. The author has a recent graduate with a BA. in teaching tell her  family's story.  The Taliban move into Kabul and take over the city.  Her brother is sent to Pakistan, her father and mother flee to the north in the tribal area of Afghanistan, and her little brother stays with the three young women.  This leaves the ladies without help.  They can not go to the market to purchase food without their little brother, they have no way to earn money. Their savings is running out and they do not know what to do.  Until the most recent graduate decides to learn to sew. This venture changes  the hopes of the family, women in the neighborhood and eventually those in the City.  A must read of strength, stamina and perseverance.