Reflections on the Teche

A Fairy Tale of Friends

July 22, 2016 by margaretsmn

Poetry Friday round-up is at Books 4 Learning

I dedicate this post, a prose fairy tale poem in three parts, to my writing friends Tara Smith, Kimberley Moran, and Julianne Harmatz. We spent the week together in upstate New York laughing, eating, drinking, touring, shopping, and oh yes…writing. These verses were inspired by Petal People notecards by Martha Starke.

I. Julianne

Once there was a girl from Los Angeles
with a head of curly hair.
She walked the hills of New York state
gathering wild flowers–

verbena, hosta, bleeding heart,
Johnny-jump-ups, bridal wreath–

placing them all in a clear glass jar.

The flowers captured sunshine,
the wild air of summer.

She looked at the flowers in the center of the breakfast table,
and smiled a sneaky smile.
She found the key to happiness–
Gather wildflowers in a glass jar.
You will have sunshine every day.

II. Kimberley

There once was a girl from Maine
who walked the hills of New York state,
looking for something, though she knew not what.

She picked up a wreath of wild flowers
arranged in the shape of a heart.

This heart of hydrangea petals
surrounded by Queen Anne’s lace
touched her very own broken heart.

She hung the wreath on her own front door
to show the world and herself
that this was enough.

III. Tara

Once a girl from New Jersey
walked all the way to New York
searching for wisdom,
(perhaps words on a bumper sticker),
a message for the secret of life.

On a bedlam farm,
dirty from long disuse,
she met a man selling seeds.

He told her to plant this tiny seed,
(so small she could hardly see),
water it every day, speak in a soft voice.
The seed will grow into the finest of flowers
more beautiful than hollyhocks.

One day when the sun rose
& the fog lifted,
she saw the flower,
finer than anything imagined,
and she said, “It is good!”

Margaret Simon, all rights reserved,
with incredible respect and love
for the gift of time that is born at a farm in New York

Posted in Poetry, Poetry Friday | Tagged Bedlam Farm, fairy tale poem, Martha Starke, poetry, writing retreat | 20 Comments »

Slice of Farm Life

July 19, 2016 by margaretsmn

Join the Two Writing Teachers blog for the Slice of Life Challenge.

I don’t know how I have come to be so blessed. If you’ve been keeping up with my blog or Facebook posts, you know I spent two weeks in Tanzania, Africa, a gift from my amazing mother-in-law. And today, I am in upstate New York at Tara Smith’s farm. Like Tanzania, the nights and mornings are cool, and that alone is reason to leave South Louisiana in the mid-summer. Unlike Tanzania, this place is lush and hilly and green.

On the farm, I can breathe slowly. I feel an energy for just being present. Tara is a perfect hostess. She ran down the hill from her writing spot five minutes ago because I asked for a lap blanket. Our dinner was fresh and delicious beginning with Caprese salad and ending with sliced watermelon. This morning, blueberry pancakes, my favorite.

I was trying to remember how I got here. Not in a geographical sense, but when did I meet and become so attached to these friends? I am here with Tara, Julianne, and Kimberley. (They are each writing a post today about our time together.) The fact is I can trace each friend back to this very space, my blog. We met through a commitment to writing and sharing our lives with each other. Connections happen here that I do not plan or predict or that I even realize are happening until a day like today.

Julianne traveled from L.A. and I traveled from LA. to be together on a hill in Washington County, NY.

This is Tara’s house on the farm. It is as lovely and charming on the inside as you can see from the outside. I am back in time to a place of stillness and grace.

This is Sophie. Every farm needs a dog like Sophie, keeping watch and providing comfort.

The four of us are taking a break from talking to write our separate slices. Sharing our slices of life is what brought us all here to be present with each other, to make space for writing, and to enjoy the abundance of life. I am so grateful for Tara’s generosity, for this community of writers, and for this amazing gift of nature. I can believe the world is good. I can feel hope. I can be me.

Morning walk in the woods.

gentle moon

rising over the hills

abiding grace

Posted in Blogging, Slice of Life, Travel, Writing | Tagged farm, NY, Slice of Life, Tara Smith, Washington County | 15 Comments »

Tanzania Travel Journal #6

July 16, 2016 by margaretsmn

I have been home for a week from a most amazing trip to Tanzania, Africa and still processing the experience through blog posts. You can read them all:

Tanzania Travel Journal #1, #2, #3, #4, #5

Today I am celebrating our school visit. The Grand Circle Foundation sponsors a number of schools in Tanzania. The one we visited is Endoro Primary School in Karatu.

The head teacher, “Mother Mary”, took us into her small office to tell us about the school and answer any questions. Most of her students come to school from the Iraqw tribe. They do not know the national language, Kiswahili. All subjects in primary school are taught in the national language, and English is one class. Later, in secondary school, all subjects are taught in English. These students not only have to master many subjects, they must do so in many languages.

They begin school at 7 AM with cleaning and eating a breakfast of porridge. The classrooms were very basic with a chalkboard at one end and 10 desks in 3 rows with 2-3 students at each desk. The desks consisted of a wooden bench and a short wooden table top. Their supplies include pencils, assignment books, and textbooks. There are no computers at this school.

While we were there, the regional director passed by, Sandra. It was amazing to hear her speak of the foundation and their mission to improve education. The Tanzanian government has made all public schools free. But that means there is no longer a $10 tuition fee per year. Costs for supplies, books, uniforms, food, etc. are not covered. Grand Circle Foundation recently built more classrooms and installed toilets at Endoro School.

Sandra assured us 100% of the donations go directly to the schools. She told us the cost of textbooks is about $3-$6 each. What a bargain to us in the US!

Endoro Primary School, Karatu, Tanzania

I was charmed by the students that I met. One girl told me her name is Martha, my third daughter’s name, so we made an immediate connection. I hope to establish pen pals for my students.

Visiting with school girls

My birthday is August 11th. For my birthday, I am asking my friends to donate to the Grand Circle Foundation specifically for Endoro school. You can donate by emailing me for a donation form, signing on to the Grand Circle Foundation Website, or sending a payment to me through Pay Pal and I will donate. Just think what $10 can do for these kids!

Here is a video of the students singing a welcome song and my small group singing their National Anthem. (Sorry, it’s quite loud, so turn down your volume.)

Posted in Celebration Saturday, Travel, Writing | Tagged #celebratelu, Endoro Primary School, Grand Circle Foundation, Karatu, school, Tanzania | 5 Comments »

Tanzania Travel Journal #5

July 15, 2016 by margaretsmn

Poetry Friday round-up is with Mary Lee at A Year of Reading

I am dedicating this Poetry Friday post to my mother-in-law, Anne Simon, who took me on an amazing adventure to Tanzania, Africa to celebrate her 85th birthday.

I have been blogging about this trip since I’ve returned. You can read previous posts: Safe Water for Eastern Africa, Tarangire National Park, Maasai village, and Lions on the Serengeti.

The only way to thank Anne “Minga” for this fabulous opportunity was to thoroughly enjoy it. I immersed myself in Presence, my one little word, taking in the experience with my whole mind, body, and spirit.

On the day of Minga’s birthday, we set out at sunrise to tour areas on the Serengeti with rocky outcrops called kopjes. Kopjes are places where lions linger and hide their young. We stopped to have breakfast on one of these kopjes. Before any of us got out of the vehicles, though, our guides scouted and clapped away any animal life.

Kopjes (pronounced ko-pee-us) dotted the Serengeti landscape.

Singing “Happy Birthday” to Anne on the kopjes breakfast.

I created a video to capture the birthday celebration complete with a cake and the camp workers singing a favorite celebration song, Hakuna Matata (not the Disney version).

Since today is Poetry Friday, I found an appropriate poem to share. “The Journey” by Mary Oliver describes the individual that my mother-in-law is, strong and independent. I am very grateful that she is willing to share her journey with me.

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice–
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do–
determined to save
the only life you could save.

–Mary Oliver

This poem, along with many other poems from women, can be found in The Woman in this Poem, selected and introduced by Georgia Heard.

Posted in Poetry Friday, Travel, Writing | Tagged Anne Simon, Georgia Heard, Mary Oliver, Overseas Adventure Travel, poetry, Tanzania | 12 Comments »

Tanzania Travel Journal #4

July 14, 2016 by margaretsmn

Serengeti tent camp

The drive to the Serengeti was a long, hard, bumpy, rocky road. Our vehicle was struck by a flying rock that shattered the lower left windshield. No one was hurt, but we all jumped out of our skin for a moment.

The tent camp on the Serengeti was not as luxurious as the lodges we had been staying in. Alex, our guide, handed out the “digital keys,” a cardboard strip with our names and tent number on it. He warned us to keep the tent zipped at all times. He said to scan the tent for snakes and to blow the whistle for emergencies.

I admit I was too scared to sleep much the first night. When we came into the tent something flew out and hit me in the head. I tried to turn on the lights and ended up de-wiring the place. So we were left with no electricity. I decided this was a whistle blowing opportunity, but hence our whistle would not blow. (A protection against irrational females like me, I’m sure.)

The next day I realized that the thing that hit me in the head was a switch for the lights. When I pulled on it, the wires disconnected.

Our showers were adventurous as well. Behind the tent was a bucket and pulley system. When you were ready for a shower, you would let the boy in back know and he would load the bucket with warm water and hoist it up. To turn on the water, you would pull a string hanging from the shower head. Each day we were given a specific time to shower and about 5 gallons of water. I actually came to appreciate these showers immensely.

Sunrise on the Serengeti

Each morning we were awakened at 5:30 AM and headed out about 6:30 to find wildlife activity. We encountered lions almost daily. Each time was a miracle. I’ve compiled a video of these views as well as our guides evening talk about lion behaviors. Simba is the Kiswahili word for lion.

Posted in Travel | Tagged lions, Overseas Adventure Travel, Serengeti, Tanzania | 5 Comments »

Tanzania Travel Journal #3

July 12, 2016 by margaretsmn

Join the Two Writing Teachers blog for the Slice of Life Challenge.

Me with my new Maasai friend, Namitu.

Visiting the Maasai village was a moving and heartwarming experience. The Maasai tribe has managed to hold on to their traditions and culture in the midst of modernization in Tanzania. Some of the practices are controversial and should not be continued. Some, however, are kept as deep-seeded practices that define them as a people.

In the village, each woman in our group was matched with a tribal woman. They dressed us in traditional drapes and jewels. They taught us how to bead and weave baskets, to carry thatches on our heads, and to do some of the tasks of women.

My friend’s name was Namitu. She could speak limited English and asked my name. When I told her, she pointed to her 2-year old daughter and said, “My baby, Margaret.” This type of thing happened once before to Karen, a woman on our tour. I think this may be a way they honor us.

Learning to bead a bracelet

We walked to the cow pasture where men blooded a calf. Apparently, this does not harm the calf. They shoot a spear to the jugular vein. When the blood gushes, they catch it in a long gourd-like container that holds goat’s milk. I did not bravely partake, but a young traveler said it tasted like salty, creamy soup.

Blooding the calf

Another tradition that we participated in was a dance. This may have been a mating dance of sorts because Namitu asked me to pick a husband. Her little son held my hand and led me to a line of chanting men. One of these men turned and touched me shoulder to shoulder. If I had accepted this marriage proposal, I would have had to pay in cows. Wealth is measured in cows.

After all the festivities, we went into the chief’s hut to have a discussion of controversial issues. They allowed open discussion. Karen asked the Maasai woman (29 yrs old and mother of 3 daughters) if she was circumcised. She is, but now they are educated about this, so she will not pass this mutilation on to her daughters. Karen was so touched she rose and hugged and kissed the young woman. I was moved to tears. This practice should be stopped. Our guide assured us that as more and more of the Maasai are sent to school and educated, they learn of the practices that should be abandoned.

In the end, we were given the opportunity to shop for beaded items. I bought the circular ring Namitu made. She said it took her a month to bead it.
Even though this visit was organized to show us an enjoyable time, I felt the spirit of the Maasai and came to respect their culture. I hope they are able to keep the spirit of their traditions as they come to know and understand the world.

Laughter is universal!

This is my third Tanzania journal entry. To read about clay water filters, journal entry #1, click here. To read and enjoy a video of Tarangire animals, click here.

Posted in Slice of Life, Travel, Writing | Tagged Maasai village, Overseas Adventure Travel, Tanzania | 10 Comments »

Tanzania Travel Journal #2

July 11, 2016 by margaretsmn

I am writing a series of posts about my recent trip to Tanzania, Africa. You can find the first post here about ceramic water filters.

The second day of our tour led us to our first safari experience on the Tarangire. Tarangire means “river of the warthogs.” Geographically, it is classified as a wooded grassland savannah.

I was fascinated by the movement of the animals. They do not seem to care at all that their territory is being invaded by these monster safari vehicles. They just carry on with the business of eating and drinking.

The birds are beautiful here. Even the pesky birds that peck the ground at the picnic area are amazing. They are called the superb starling. And they are truly superb.

Superb starling

In the Tarangire, we witnessed a part of the great migration with zebras and wildebeests rushing to a watering hole. I captured this movement on video.

zebra with wildebeest

The guides communicate by radio. We would hear quick Swahili words then drive to something amazing. One of these sights was a python that had obviously eaten something really large. It lay still under a bush. We were told it would not be able to move for a month. Thank God. After that sight, I stopped drinking water. I was not going to have to go in a bush (water the flowers) for anything.

For these next few days we stayed on Lake Burunge. The dining area overlooked the lake where thousands of pink flamingoes waded. We had a nature hike to view these birds closer up. We were accompanied by a Maasai warrior with his spear in case we encountered any dangerous animals.

Lake Burunge sunset

flamingoes

Maasai guard

Our guide assured us that Maasai are trained at a very young age to defend their animals. We could hear hyenas in the distance and were told the following morning that our guards were awake all night chasing them from our camp. These tents were permanent solar-powered structures up on wooden platforms. I was not afraid. I trusted the guards would keep us safe.

Click on the video to view the zebras and wildebeests flocking to the watering hole, a family of elephants crossing our path, and a harem of ostriches. I thought about toying with the sound but decided to leave it in for you to have an authentic experience. Enjoy!

Posted in Travel, Writing | Tagged Africa, animals, Overseas Adventure Travel, safari, Tarangire | 6 Comments »

Tanzania Travel Journal #1

July 10, 2016 by margaretsmn

I have returned from the trip of a lifetime. For my mother-in-law’s 85th birthday, she treated me and my sister-in-law to an Overseas Adventure Travel tour of Tanzania, Africa. O.A.T. is a tour company that prides itself on providing a total cultural experience. You don’t just view a country, you experience it.

Our trip to Tanzania began on June 25th, but we did not arrive into Kilimanjaro airport until the night of June 26th after two lengthy flights, Houston to Amsterdam, Amsterdam to Tanzania. There is no way around it. Africa is far away!

This experience was so full that I will be writing multiple blog posts to share as much as I can with you.

We spent the first few days in Arusha. Arusha is a bustling city. Our first stop was a clay water filter project.

Front of Safe Water Ceramics in Arusha, Tanzania.

The Safe Water Ceramics of East Africa produces clay water filters to provide clean water to families and schools around Tanzania and Kenya. The number one health problem in Africa comes from limited access to clean water. We were fascinated by the process of creating these filters.

Surrounded by drying water filters, Mesiaki demonstrates his foot powered pottery wheel.

In 2005, Tracy Hawkins met Mesiaki Kimerei, a master potter in Arusha, Tanzania. After learning of the dire need for filtered water and the process for making these clay water filters, she teamed up with Mesiaki to produce these ceramic filters. In 2015, Safe Water Ceramics won the Energy Globe Award.

Proud of his Globe Award, Mesiaki is passing the skills to his daughter.

Eleven people in our group lined up to donate. One water filter for a family or school costs $40. You can learn more about the project and donate here. Already, on the first day, I knew that this experience would have a profound effect on me. Something that we take for granted, clean water, is a privilege in the country of Tanzania.

At the end of our first day, we were treated to a view of Mt. Kilimanjaro peeking out and saying “Jambo!”

Mt. Kilimanjaro in the distance.

Posted in Travel, Writing | Tagged Arusha, Overseas Adventure Travel, Safe Water Ceramics of East Africa, Tanzania | 11 Comments »

Summer Poem Swap

June 24, 2016 by margaretsmn

Poetry Friday round-up is with Diane at Random Noodling.

summer poetry swap (2)

Receiving a gift is exciting, and Tabatha Yeatts knows this. Each summer she organizes a poetry swap. She sends each participant a list of names and addresses, dates, and prompts. Then the fun begins.

This week I received a gift from Doraine Bennett of Dori Reads. Her poem gift was an original recipe for summer break. In the poem-recipe, she mentions blowing bubbles, a good book, and a cup of tea, so her gift included these goodies: a selection of teas, a bubble blowing kit, and an old book, The Poet’s Homecoming by George MacDonald. She collects MacDonald’s books. “George MacDonald is one of my favorite authors. He has a remarkable ability to impart the love of God through fiction. I’ve collected all of his books over the years and given many away.” The original publication date is 1887. What a thoughtful gift!

Recipe for Summer Break

Take one blue sky.
Place yourself gently
underneath the grand expanse.
Allow the azure to settle like goose down.
Watch it shift from moonstone to sapphire
and soften to a light cornflower haze.
Add a good book. One by an author
who knows what he knows and kneads
his wisdom with gentle, but sure hands.
Simmer with the scent of water,
pink orchids, and wisteria.
Sprinkle with long walks, quiet
conversations, and bird song.
Reserve some time to listen
to the one who knows you best.
Blow bubbles.
Find a puddle,
splash until done.
Heap with grace.
Enjoy with a strong cup of tea.

–Doraine Bennett, all rights reserved.

Summer Poetry Swap gift from Dori.

Posted in Poetry, Poetry Friday | Tagged Doraine Bennett, Summer Poetry Swap | 12 Comments »

Slice of Life: Daring Lessons

June 21, 2016 by margaretsmn

Join the Two Writing Teachers blog for the Slice of Life Challenge.

Teenagers are in the midst of brain development, and sometimes that part that says “This is dangerous” doesn’t work as well as it does in adults. My sister knows this and embraces it. My niece, Taylor, wanted to pose a photo shoot on an old historical road near my parents’ home in Mississippi.

I said, “How do you take a picture on a road without getting hit by a car?”

Taylor responded with complete confidence, “You wait until there are no cars. Then you run out into the street and snap a picture. It’s exhilarating!”

I actually think my sister is a brilliant mother. She encourages this dangerous behavior. She told me outside of Taylor’s earshot, “If that’s the most dangerous thing she wants to do, and she chooses to do it with me, I’m all in!”

I had to admit I wanted to be a part of it, too. So we set out to find Old Agency Rd. Luckily, a high school is located on the same road, so we found a safe place to park.

Traffic was light, so we got out and hiked through the brush on the side of the road.

Taylor has a GoPro camera that she used to take her road selfie. The rest of us were on lookout duty.

A nice young mother-type stopped her SUV next to me and rolled down her window. She wanted to warn me about the dangers of this road. “I’ve seen many cars run off the road. I live around here. You could get hit in seconds.”

“I know, we know.” I explained my niece’s idea and that we wouldn’t be long. She felt compelled to tell us. I understand. I’m a mother, too.

We survived. Taylor got her shot. And we did something that scared us that day. Actually, it was just. plain. fun.