Yesterday, flames destroyed the roof and spire of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. This modern-day tourist attraction and centuries old holy site was ablaze for hours. As news organizations broadcast the sight of the huge engulfing flames around the world, what started the blaze was a mystery. People assembled nearby were heard saying prayers and singing hymns and folk songs. I couldn’t imagine the loss the residents of Paris felt as they watched the flames rise. Nor could I imagine how they and millions of people around the world who revere Notre Dame Cathedral as a holy site felt as they watched, helpless to stop its destruction, especially during what many believe to be a holy week.
Tag Archives for memories
Works In Progress
I’ve been using art – what I create and what I have the privilege of seeing incredibly talented people create – as a method of coping with my illness; and more specifically my chronic pain, for a few years now. However, in recent weeks, probably more like months, I’ve had difficulty completing the things I start creating. Whether it’s because I lose interest in what I start, the constant mental and physical fatigue I feel, or my inability to work through my pain, I seem to be building a collection of unfinished pages with countless works in progress.
Sweetened Memories
Each year, on this day, my thoughts turn, with reverence, to memories of my Great Aunt M. Throughout the year I think of her often, but on this day, I spend a few quiet moments recalling her warmth and kindness toward me and all the happiness during time spent with her. As much as it saddens me that she’s gone, I’m more grateful that I knew her.
Today would have been my aunt’s 89th birthday. As I made my first meal of the day, one of the items I chose to make put a huge smile on my face. I remembered how much my Aunt M used to look forward to having family and friends from towns larger than the one in which she lived visit her because it sometimes meant they might bring her some of the foods from the country of her birth. One of those foods that I made this morning was ripe plantains, which are best described as the much larger siblings of bananas.
Aunt M lived in a small town where it was close to impossible to get many of the foods she had eaten while growing up. I on the other hand can get them all without any difficulty. Yet, I take it for granted and only buy them on rare occasions. Still, I’m glad today was one of those occasions and I’m even happier that having it brought to mind someone whom I loved so dearly.
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On another note, for anyone who’s never eaten plantains before, you can usually find them in the produce department of most large grocery stores. I gave mine time to ripen – just like you would bananas – then I peeled the skin, cut it into three equal pieces, then sliced those pieces lengthwise. I then fried the slices in a hot frying pan with organic coconut oil (you can use your preference of cooking oil). I fry the slices of plantain until they are golden brown, and then eat. Be ready for a sweet surprise…
Sweetened Memories – June 2018 – 7
Sweetened Memories – June 2018 – 6
Sweetened Memories – June 2018
My Small Surrenders 