Monthly Archives: June 2020

Slice-and-dice Elmo

Posted on June 30, 2020 by maradanto

For her fifth birthday, Kyra got a birthday cake with Elmo on it. We were still good friends with Kyra’s family at that point. The girls had gone to preschool together and had been on playdates and even sleepovers at … Continue reading →

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Summer of Monsters: Mèt Kafou

Posted on June 28, 2020 by maradanto

The journey begins in the rich, dark earth; and it ends in the cold, dark earth. In-between the sojourner walks the realm of the crossroads. In Haitian folk religion, the keeper of the crossroads is the loa Mèt Kafou. Mèt … Continue reading →

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Summer of Monsters: Grand Bwa

Posted on June 26, 2020 by maradanto

What can we say about Grand Bwa? Probably the less the better. In Haitian folk religion, the world is full of spirits called loa, that humans can interact with by making the appropriate offerings. During the ceremony, the loa will … Continue reading →

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Summer of Monsters: Djab

Posted on June 26, 2020 by maradanto

A djab is the family heirloom of monsters. There’s always that chance that it’s good to have, but you know that it’s probably like your grandfather’s gold watch chain: almost certainly made of scrap metal and utterly worthless. Found in … Continue reading →

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Summer of Monsters: Mètminwi

Posted on June 24, 2020 by maradanto

There are plenty of reasons not to wander around the streets of Les Cayes or Archaie after dark. For one thing, it’s dark and you’re going to have a hard time seeing where you go, and someone stole the manhole … Continue reading →

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Supreme ruling is good for the country

Posted on June 15, 2020 by maradanto

I’m going to be 50 this year, and I think it’s fair to say that, like the country, I’ve gone on quite a journey in my values and attitudes as pertaining to lgbtq issues and people. Today’s affirmation by the … Continue reading →

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A word to the wise

Posted on June 14, 2020 by maradanto

Paroleto de saĝo: Se vi estas lernanta kiel fari muzikon per gitaro, ne praktiku meznokte en la tombejo. Se vi praktikas tie kaj tiam, kaj iu alproksimiĝas al vi, ne auskultu al lia parolado. Se li diras ke vi faras … Continue reading →

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Onklo Sako

Posted on June 3, 2020 by maradanto

Hodiau nokte mia filino vekis min, kriyante ke iu subestis sub sia lito. Mi portis ŝin al ŝia dormĉambro, kaj regardis sub ŝia  lito post litmetis ŝin denove. Neniu tie estis. “Kiu subloĝus sub via lito?” Mi ridetis kviete kaj … Continue reading →

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