Last night I helped clean the Temple. I'm the grasshopper of the ward. I nearly always have to be told what to do and even then sometimes I still don't understand.
In the night I dreamed of Mrs. Cook, my mother's late cleaning lady. Her husband was descended from the famous Captain Cook.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Mopsy And The New Mop
Mopsy mopped the floor.
Mummy, I don't like doing this. Could you do this please? she asked coyly.
Darling, if you do it with vigour, it will be fine, answered her mother sharply.
Like this? asked Mopsy.
That's right, said Mother.
Like a race? asked Mopsy.
Yes. Not flatly, but with gusto, said her mother sonorously.
Okay, Mummy.
Mopsy mopped the floor, not flatly, but with gusto. Then the mop broke.
Not with that much gusto, dear, said her mother.
Well, I mopped it with gusto, said Mopsy.
Mopsy did very well, don't you think? Yes, I think she did.
Mummy, I don't like doing this. Could you do this please? she asked coyly.
Darling, if you do it with vigour, it will be fine, answered her mother sharply.
Like this? asked Mopsy.
That's right, said Mother.
Like a race? asked Mopsy.
Yes. Not flatly, but with gusto, said her mother sonorously.
Okay, Mummy.
Mopsy mopped the floor, not flatly, but with gusto. Then the mop broke.
Not with that much gusto, dear, said her mother.
Well, I mopped it with gusto, said Mopsy.
Mopsy did very well, don't you think? Yes, I think she did.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Italy, The Wonder
I have had the privilege of visiting Italy several times, but two visits stand out in my mind. The first of the two was when I was sixteen with my school. And the second of the two was with my mother.
Members of my school spent six weeks in sunny Italy learning about the history of art and practicing our Italian language skills. It was fun going to the market and asking for food for lunch in Venice. In Cortona, a hill town in Tuscany, we didn't have to go out for lunch. There we ate lunch at the convent where we stayed. Every day we had a different kind of pasta! We had a good time.
I was not a member of the Church at this time and was unfortunately a coffee drinker. The Italian coffee tasted good enough but was unwise to drink - it even gave me heart palpitations afterward, it was so strong.
I was the height of fashion in my bright pink pants and pink blouse and long hair. The Italians were very wisely dressed in less conspicuous fashions, and were all trim and lean for the most part. So was I slim, in those days.
In Florence we visited a world famous ice cream parlour with many different flavours of Italian gelato ice cream, where the night was warm and the ice cream eaters sat outside on the sidewalk and leaned against the storefront eating their dessert. Mmm.
When I visited Italy with my mother years later, I was a baptized member of the Church. She wanted me along to translate for her. We went to the sights, but she had hurt her foot and had to stay in the hotel room part of the way through the trip. So we didn't see much together. But we did see Sorrento and Capri and a little bit of Rome together.
Members of my school spent six weeks in sunny Italy learning about the history of art and practicing our Italian language skills. It was fun going to the market and asking for food for lunch in Venice. In Cortona, a hill town in Tuscany, we didn't have to go out for lunch. There we ate lunch at the convent where we stayed. Every day we had a different kind of pasta! We had a good time.
I was not a member of the Church at this time and was unfortunately a coffee drinker. The Italian coffee tasted good enough but was unwise to drink - it even gave me heart palpitations afterward, it was so strong.
I was the height of fashion in my bright pink pants and pink blouse and long hair. The Italians were very wisely dressed in less conspicuous fashions, and were all trim and lean for the most part. So was I slim, in those days.
In Florence we visited a world famous ice cream parlour with many different flavours of Italian gelato ice cream, where the night was warm and the ice cream eaters sat outside on the sidewalk and leaned against the storefront eating their dessert. Mmm.
When I visited Italy with my mother years later, I was a baptized member of the Church. She wanted me along to translate for her. We went to the sights, but she had hurt her foot and had to stay in the hotel room part of the way through the trip. So we didn't see much together. But we did see Sorrento and Capri and a little bit of Rome together.
Monday, October 29, 2012
The Little Boy's Dream
One day a little boy named Terry and his mother were walking down a country lane in England. They stopped to pick up a pebble. Terry especially liked pebbles and was making a rock wall in his yard for his toy farm. He had sheep and goats of clay and a farmer and a tractor and a farm house. His dream was to become a farmer when he grew up. He just had to build a barn out of clay and a hen house and a few other things and his farm would be ready. They baked the clay in the kiln his mother had built. She had learned how to build a kiln in school when the teacher did an outdoor demonstration and had kept her notes through the years and produced one for Terry.
When the house was sold, the toy farm was sold with it and another little child played with the farm. Terry was a farmer by then! Wasn't that nice?
When the house was sold, the toy farm was sold with it and another little child played with the farm. Terry was a farmer by then! Wasn't that nice?
Journal
Once when I was much younger and an inexperienced seamstress but eager for new challenges, I offered to help sew some of the costumes for an amateur stage production of Oklahoma! The poor people didn't realize what they were getting themselves in for! I was just getting into sewing the bright green circle skirts when I realized that at my rate of sewing, I wouldn't have enough time to finish sewing them all, if I did it all myself.
Sometimes when you do all you can and can't finish the rest in life, God sometimes sends you a helper to assist you. That's a spiritual principle. I think it comes from having a prayerful heart. That time, God sent my mother and she had the remaining skirts finished in almost no time (as I remember, it took her one day).
Sometimes when you do all you can and can't finish the rest in life, God sometimes sends you a helper to assist you. That's a spiritual principle. I think it comes from having a prayerful heart. That time, God sent my mother and she had the remaining skirts finished in almost no time (as I remember, it took her one day).
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Journal
When I was 25, I was good but I was only half-having fun. So the Saviour threw me in the deep end so I was really having fun later on. He's doing it now.
God is funny. Most people think he's very dour and dreary , but he's not.
God is funny. Most people think he's very dour and dreary , but he's not.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Journal
Today I went to the town hall and purchased a business license, put it up on my wall and did a bit of housecleaning.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
The Story Of The Goat
I used to milk a goat as part of my job when I was a nanny during the days of my younger years. The reason for this was that my boss' husband who previously milked the goat did not get along with the goat and had a minor heart attack while chasing the goat around the yard and falling in the mud, when he was trying to get her to her milking stand to milk her. So I took over.
As it turned out, I also did not get along with the goat at first. She ran away from me too and I repeatedly fell down in the mud and, unfortunately I say, shouted rude words at her. (I don't usually do this!)
That night I prayed to God that he would help me have a Christ-like love for the goat as I hated her. I had just been baptized recently before this happened and I did not think it becoming of myself to behave in the above-described manner, rude words and rankling. So I tried singing to her, humming Hungarian folk melodies and suchlike. Well, you should have seen her face. She didn't know what to make of it. She peered round oddly at me while I was milking her, holding firmly onto her kicking leg, so she couldn't kick the milking bowl over.
As it turned out, I also did not get along with the goat at first. She ran away from me too and I repeatedly fell down in the mud and, unfortunately I say, shouted rude words at her. (I don't usually do this!)
That night I prayed to God that he would help me have a Christ-like love for the goat as I hated her. I had just been baptized recently before this happened and I did not think it becoming of myself to behave in the above-described manner, rude words and rankling. So I tried singing to her, humming Hungarian folk melodies and suchlike. Well, you should have seen her face. She didn't know what to make of it. She peered round oddly at me while I was milking her, holding firmly onto her kicking leg, so she couldn't kick the milking bowl over.
Journal
When I was a little girl my mother used to recite chunks of Shakespeare for me at night when I went to bed, instead of a bedtime story. I like this so much that I used to ask her for "Speare, Mummy, Speare!"
Yesterday I attended the Temple.
I read a General Conference talk in which Thomas S. Monson said his mother regretted his not keeping up his piano playing even with all the other good things he had done. I had renewed enthusiasm for the piano after this, and even thanked the Lord for my piano in my prayers this morning. I played a few hymns, in a scrambled manner, before attending the Temple yesterday.
Yesterday I attended the Temple.
I read a General Conference talk in which Thomas S. Monson said his mother regretted his not keeping up his piano playing even with all the other good things he had done. I had renewed enthusiasm for the piano after this, and even thanked the Lord for my piano in my prayers this morning. I played a few hymns, in a scrambled manner, before attending the Temple yesterday.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Script Of Songwords Of Birds And Planes
(Early morning)
CROW song: I can't sing, but I try my best!
(Before the sun comes up)
SPARROW: I wonder what the sun is doing?
(English country garden bird concert. Early morning 4 a.m.)
SOLO: Why are you all looking at me?
CHORUS: I wonder what you're doing in this part of the garden? You should be with your mother.
(Another English country garden bird concert, outside the home of a Shakespeare enthusiast.)
CHORUS: Brutus is here - where is Cleopatra?
(England: Pigeons at bedtime - English country garden)
1ST PIGEON: Evening is here - why can't I go to sleep?
2ND PIGEON: I don't know - why don't you try harder.
3RD PIGEON: Oh, go to sleep you two.
(Canada - early morning.)
CROWS ARGUING: Oh, go away.
ANOTHER CROW, HORATIO, SAYS: I can't find my mate.
ANOTHER CROW SAYS: Why am I flying for no known reason? I can't find a place to sit.
ANOTHER CROW: I can't fly any harder.
CHORUS: Oh, it is breezy today. Why is it so breezy? I don't know. God said so.
CROWS: You never know what will happen when you fly around. You might find a mate that way.
ANOTHER CROW: I don't know why, with your looks.
CONVERSATION BETWEEN CROWS:
Oh I give up.
What?
I can't get any help.
Help with what?
Help with my mate.
You give up easily. I searched for days.
There she is. There she was. She's gone again.
Give up oh go on.
I don't care what she looks like - I want her. I haven't got a mate.
How hard is it for you to understand, she's taken.
I go upsetter and upsetter about this.
She's white with brown hair is she - is she a person?
BIRDSONG: All I want to do is stretch out in the sun - But there is no sun.
(English country garden)
SOLO: All day long I fly around this garden and I never get anywhere - it's all the same - green.
CATERPILLAR: Awesome view.
RAVEN: I'll be kind to myself and sit down for a while.
CROWS: (A plane flies overhead) Cavendish is coming. We call the plane Cavendish because it's plush with seats inside. Oh, when will it go away. It makes so much noise. It goes on and on.
PLANE: I am flying high in the sky.
CROW: I like it when I make this sound in my throat - caw!
CROWS: Oh what a while it has been since a plane has flown overhead. I wonder when the next one's coming.
CROW: Oh what a bother.
LOTS OF BIRDS ON A TREE: We're all flying around. Nobody seems to mind what we do today. Except the wind. It keeps blowing us around.
PLANE: I'm having a blissful time, up in the sky, flying by, high oh high. Why so high? I don't know why. My oh my. You fly so high, you come down low, you go real slow. Oh you never know where you will show. I fly away, I take a day, Away, away (fade)
High oh high
Fly oh fly
Fly away
Gone today.
NARRATOR: Another plane is coming.
PLANE: Oh how weary I am of carrying these passengers. I'm an old plane you surmise. No, a very old plane.
PLANE: I am a brand new plane. I have spunk.
PLANE: Oh what a day - what a glorious day. I am fine, and everything is fine on board.
PLANE: (low rumble) I'm coming. See me fly! And up again. And now I'm going to do something special - (somersaults) there we are. I did it.
CROW: What a whopper! He should see us fly!
PLANE: Here I'm coming again. Get out of my way. I'm going down - there.
PLANE: A chrysalis is coming - me. I'm not there yet. Steady on my feet - not yet. I wonder what I'll do today. The instructor is telling me what to do...Impossible! I can't do that. Oh yes I can. He's talking me into it - I did it! Yes I can. Oh I wonder what I'll do tomorrow. Oh, worries are plentiful - how do I get down? There, I did it.
PLANE: My lumbago is getting me down.
(After lunch)
CROW: Oh, pass along the crackers.
PLANE: (Sputtering by happily) I'm just sputtering by, I said. What more do you want from me?
CROW: Oh, go away.
PLANE: Ah, what a fine day it is...Away to the left. There we are. What a view. I'm coming down, down to the airport, mind out the way sailor (he says to the seagull).
CROW: Oh what a washout.
NARRATOR: Could we please hear more about the crow who was looking for his girl?
PLANE: (deep voice - hight up in the air - British accent)
I wonder what's going on down there. A fairly big city of thousands of people. I'm not going down there, but I'd like to. I'm going to Vancouver. British Airways, you know. Tiddley-pom. Still flying overhead, no washout here. I'm going to get to my destination. (Narrator looks up from rock on the heath). Oh what a long way it is down. I hope I don't fall. Just kidding, although the passengers don't find it funny. Bit of turbulence, I say, bit of turbulence. Ah there we are, free again. The winds are to the south. We are going down. Tallyho.
Away to the left there's a stranded crow. (Esmerelda) Seems to have lost her way. Esmerelda Dickens she says. She has no money, nothing left, and she's lost her mate. Crows don't have money do they? Oh well, it fits with the story, says the author. She's crazy about him, she caws. Where is he? Seen him? She's lost her crow, she says - a man. Have you found him?
NARRATOR: He was here today, outside my apartment, searching for her. Near the fig tree. If she waits on the fig tree he might find her. He was most distraught.
PLANE: She's coming in to your right she says.
ESMERELDA DICKENS CROW: Caw caw here I come to the fig tree by the washing line. I wonder where he is? Will he be coming back? I'm most distraught.
HORATIO CROW: Ditto I'm here dear (he says swooping in - they kiss)
PLANE: What a happy ending says the British Boeing 747.
NARRATOR: Now I don't have any word cards because I'm up to my ears in them but here's a closing song:
I found my guy
My man is back
I found my guy
My man is back
He stuck to me
Like glue today
When he came back to me
(Repeat)
CROW song: I can't sing, but I try my best!
(Before the sun comes up)
SPARROW: I wonder what the sun is doing?
(English country garden bird concert. Early morning 4 a.m.)
SOLO: Why are you all looking at me?
CHORUS: I wonder what you're doing in this part of the garden? You should be with your mother.
(Another English country garden bird concert, outside the home of a Shakespeare enthusiast.)
CHORUS: Brutus is here - where is Cleopatra?
(England: Pigeons at bedtime - English country garden)
1ST PIGEON: Evening is here - why can't I go to sleep?
2ND PIGEON: I don't know - why don't you try harder.
3RD PIGEON: Oh, go to sleep you two.
(Canada - early morning.)
CROWS ARGUING: Oh, go away.
ANOTHER CROW, HORATIO, SAYS: I can't find my mate.
ANOTHER CROW SAYS: Why am I flying for no known reason? I can't find a place to sit.
ANOTHER CROW: I can't fly any harder.
CHORUS: Oh, it is breezy today. Why is it so breezy? I don't know. God said so.
CROWS: You never know what will happen when you fly around. You might find a mate that way.
ANOTHER CROW: I don't know why, with your looks.
CONVERSATION BETWEEN CROWS:
Oh I give up.
What?
I can't get any help.
Help with what?
Help with my mate.
You give up easily. I searched for days.
There she is. There she was. She's gone again.
Give up oh go on.
I don't care what she looks like - I want her. I haven't got a mate.
How hard is it for you to understand, she's taken.
I go upsetter and upsetter about this.
She's white with brown hair is she - is she a person?
BIRDSONG: All I want to do is stretch out in the sun - But there is no sun.
(English country garden)
SOLO: All day long I fly around this garden and I never get anywhere - it's all the same - green.
CATERPILLAR: Awesome view.
RAVEN: I'll be kind to myself and sit down for a while.
CROWS: (A plane flies overhead) Cavendish is coming. We call the plane Cavendish because it's plush with seats inside. Oh, when will it go away. It makes so much noise. It goes on and on.
PLANE: I am flying high in the sky.
CROW: I like it when I make this sound in my throat - caw!
CROWS: Oh what a while it has been since a plane has flown overhead. I wonder when the next one's coming.
CROW: Oh what a bother.
LOTS OF BIRDS ON A TREE: We're all flying around. Nobody seems to mind what we do today. Except the wind. It keeps blowing us around.
PLANE: I'm having a blissful time, up in the sky, flying by, high oh high. Why so high? I don't know why. My oh my. You fly so high, you come down low, you go real slow. Oh you never know where you will show. I fly away, I take a day, Away, away (fade)
High oh high
Fly oh fly
Fly away
Gone today.
NARRATOR: Another plane is coming.
PLANE: Oh how weary I am of carrying these passengers. I'm an old plane you surmise. No, a very old plane.
PLANE: I am a brand new plane. I have spunk.
PLANE: Oh what a day - what a glorious day. I am fine, and everything is fine on board.
PLANE: (low rumble) I'm coming. See me fly! And up again. And now I'm going to do something special - (somersaults) there we are. I did it.
CROW: What a whopper! He should see us fly!
PLANE: Here I'm coming again. Get out of my way. I'm going down - there.
PLANE: A chrysalis is coming - me. I'm not there yet. Steady on my feet - not yet. I wonder what I'll do today. The instructor is telling me what to do...Impossible! I can't do that. Oh yes I can. He's talking me into it - I did it! Yes I can. Oh I wonder what I'll do tomorrow. Oh, worries are plentiful - how do I get down? There, I did it.
PLANE: My lumbago is getting me down.
(After lunch)
CROW: Oh, pass along the crackers.
PLANE: (Sputtering by happily) I'm just sputtering by, I said. What more do you want from me?
CROW: Oh, go away.
PLANE: Ah, what a fine day it is...Away to the left. There we are. What a view. I'm coming down, down to the airport, mind out the way sailor (he says to the seagull).
CROW: Oh what a washout.
NARRATOR: Could we please hear more about the crow who was looking for his girl?
PLANE: (deep voice - hight up in the air - British accent)
I wonder what's going on down there. A fairly big city of thousands of people. I'm not going down there, but I'd like to. I'm going to Vancouver. British Airways, you know. Tiddley-pom. Still flying overhead, no washout here. I'm going to get to my destination. (Narrator looks up from rock on the heath). Oh what a long way it is down. I hope I don't fall. Just kidding, although the passengers don't find it funny. Bit of turbulence, I say, bit of turbulence. Ah there we are, free again. The winds are to the south. We are going down. Tallyho.
Away to the left there's a stranded crow. (Esmerelda) Seems to have lost her way. Esmerelda Dickens she says. She has no money, nothing left, and she's lost her mate. Crows don't have money do they? Oh well, it fits with the story, says the author. She's crazy about him, she caws. Where is he? Seen him? She's lost her crow, she says - a man. Have you found him?
NARRATOR: He was here today, outside my apartment, searching for her. Near the fig tree. If she waits on the fig tree he might find her. He was most distraught.
PLANE: She's coming in to your right she says.
ESMERELDA DICKENS CROW: Caw caw here I come to the fig tree by the washing line. I wonder where he is? Will he be coming back? I'm most distraught.
HORATIO CROW: Ditto I'm here dear (he says swooping in - they kiss)
PLANE: What a happy ending says the British Boeing 747.
NARRATOR: Now I don't have any word cards because I'm up to my ears in them but here's a closing song:
I found my guy
My man is back
I found my guy
My man is back
He stuck to me
Like glue today
When he came back to me
(Repeat)
The End
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Why I Like To Cook
When I was a little girl my father invited me into the kitchen to learn to make Dutch pancakes and Indonesian food with him (he is Dutch-Canadian and Indonesia used to be a colony of the Netherlands). My mother taught me to make fruit cake, scones and marmalade chicken. When my oldest three children were young, as soon as they could stand on a chair I taught them to prepare food. The floor might be covered in flour afterward, but they were so pleased. My son was beaming with happiness when he accomplished a task. My fourth child baked focaccia bread with me (his favourite) when he was thirteen and was so grateful to me for teaching him. I gave the boys lessons in Family Home Evening on how to cook for their future wives! Two of my teens did such a great job preparing Ratatouille and Sarah Cake that I told my seventeen-year-old he could get a job as a chef.
Journal
My favourite prophet is our present prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, because he's funny and kind and he wrote A Christmas Dress For Ellen.
My second favourite prophet is President Brigham Young because he said that men should eat dinner with their wives, so that the wives would get enough to eat and not die in childbirth from malnutrition-related causes. In those days - and still in some parts of the world today - it was common for women to eat after their husbands had finished dinner. I even named one of my sons Brigham.
My second favourite prophet is President Brigham Young because he said that men should eat dinner with their wives, so that the wives would get enough to eat and not die in childbirth from malnutrition-related causes. In those days - and still in some parts of the world today - it was common for women to eat after their husbands had finished dinner. I even named one of my sons Brigham.
Monday, October 22, 2012
The Dragonflies Of China
Once there was a beautiful lady dragonfly.
Her name was Kai Lang
Or bright one.
She lived on the edge of the pond.
She was in love with Shi Yi,
And sent him a note in the breeze:
Shi Yi, you poetic one,
I have love in my heart for you.
But it only wafted away,
And she was left alone.
Next there was Shuang Lang,
Her littlest loved one,
But he was much too little,
And so they left each other alone.
Last of all there was Wu Lai,
A big brat! but she loved him the most.
Ah, what to do.
She would have only one loved one,
But none of them was right it seemed.
Perhaps it was Shi Yi and she had only
To try again to write him a letter of love,
But oh, she was much too old now,
And had lost her charm.
Her name was Kai Lang
Or bright one.
She lived on the edge of the pond.
She was in love with Shi Yi,
And sent him a note in the breeze:
Shi Yi, you poetic one,
I have love in my heart for you.
But it only wafted away,
And she was left alone.
Next there was Shuang Lang,
Her littlest loved one,
But he was much too little,
And so they left each other alone.
Last of all there was Wu Lai,
A big brat! but she loved him the most.
Ah, what to do.
She would have only one loved one,
But none of them was right it seemed.
Perhaps it was Shi Yi and she had only
To try again to write him a letter of love,
But oh, she was much too old now,
And had lost her charm.
Journal
I went to a Fireside last night, after a Potluck, at church for Single Adults. We learned about music and how to identify what we like and dislike about it. I thought of a new storytime on the way home and here it is: dragonflies with Chinese names in a romance story. Doesn't that sound funny? I thought it was original.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Friday, October 19, 2012
Somebody out there likes me like this and I'm writing this for them
Once upon a time there was an old lady who had been married but was now divorced and who lived in what she called a chalet where she lived on takings from odd jobs when she could get them as well as her disability pension and spousal maintenance. She had no money for things like shoes you think, but yes she did and she made do with cheap shoes and hats to make things look sparkly. She had no money to go to the hairdresser but she made it up to herself and went out for lunch each month. Her children went to visit her from time to time and there was joy all around when they did.
Sockses by Joanne Okano
When you put on sockses and shoeses,
Do you put on redses or blueses,
Or orangeses or greenses,
And look like a queenses?
Do you put on redses or blueses,
Or orangeses or greenses,
And look like a queenses?
Journal
This morning I phoned my visiting teaching companion and confirmed my visiting teaching visit with her. Visiting teaching is a Church-wide program for the sisters where they visit each other monthly, or phone or email or write, teach a message, and find out if the family has any needs the visiting teachers or the Church can help with.
It is date night and I still do not have a boyfriend. Is he out there somewhere?
It is date night and I still do not have a boyfriend. Is he out there somewhere?
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Auntie Jessie's Storytime
When I was young I had an aunt, named Auntie Jessie. She came from Liverpool and was a telephone operator in her youth. At night she told us stories when she came to stay. Here's how they went:
First, she wanted us to choose a protagonist. Next, she wanted to choose something they did, like knitting or baseball. Lastly she wanted us to choose an ending, if I remember correctly. Then she would make up a tailor-made story and tell it to us. She was very good to do this.
First, she wanted us to choose a protagonist. Next, she wanted to choose something they did, like knitting or baseball. Lastly she wanted us to choose an ending, if I remember correctly. Then she would make up a tailor-made story and tell it to us. She was very good to do this.
Journal
I was thinking last night and I remembered that for part of my teenage years I wore a green pair of pants, a green blouse and smelled of apple perfume and apple shampoo.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Tatlow The Sailor - Part Eighteen by J.M.Okano
Saskia, Tatlow and Kazuhiro packed up their belongings, to go their separate ways. Tatlow wanted to go back to the sea.
On their way out, they saw the neighbour.
"You know you really are the funniest man I've ever met," said Tatlow.
"It's all on account of my mother. She said, "I put you in discreet charge of the children. I put you in charge of them but I'm not telling them that. You watch them and tell me everything they do." I learned how to be very observant," said the neighbour with a grin.
Everyone said goodbye. Saskia and Sponsible went away, Kazuhiro moved locally and Tatlow and Honesty the monkey boarded a cruise ship for a long round the world trip.
Tatlow earnt his keep by steering the ship, washing the floors (a job which he loved to do as he was taught to love it by his mother) and entertaining the passengers with his jokes.
"What is a car window? A device which when rolled down, messes up women's hair," he quipped.
For something to do, he bought an accordion and a how-to-play-accordion book at the concession stand. He studied accordion in his room in the evenings and played his way across the sea.
On their way out, they saw the neighbour.
"You know you really are the funniest man I've ever met," said Tatlow.
"It's all on account of my mother. She said, "I put you in discreet charge of the children. I put you in charge of them but I'm not telling them that. You watch them and tell me everything they do." I learned how to be very observant," said the neighbour with a grin.
Everyone said goodbye. Saskia and Sponsible went away, Kazuhiro moved locally and Tatlow and Honesty the monkey boarded a cruise ship for a long round the world trip.
Tatlow earnt his keep by steering the ship, washing the floors (a job which he loved to do as he was taught to love it by his mother) and entertaining the passengers with his jokes.
"What is a car window? A device which when rolled down, messes up women's hair," he quipped.
For something to do, he bought an accordion and a how-to-play-accordion book at the concession stand. He studied accordion in his room in the evenings and played his way across the sea.
Journal
I sauntered into the mall and went to get my shoes stretched. They can stretch them widthwise or lengthwise, I learned. Lengthwise, please, I replied.
I went out for lunch, bought hair elastics and bought an herbal tea. My daughter has received her mission call, I learned on the phone. That means that she will find out tonight where she has been called on her mission.
I went out for lunch, bought hair elastics and bought an herbal tea. My daughter has received her mission call, I learned on the phone. That means that she will find out tonight where she has been called on her mission.
Mama Grinds Wheat by Joanne Okano
My Mama grinds wheat.
She grinds wheat to bake bread.
First, she bought wheat berries.
Next, she bought a wheat grinder from a friend.
She poured two cups of wheat berries into the wheat grinder.
She placed a large bowl underneath to catch the wheat.
And then she turned on the wheat grinder.
The wheat grinder made the most terrific noise.
And we all ran into the bedroom to get away from the wheat grinder.
The vibrations from the wheat grinder shook the house.
Then it was over.
We returned to the kitchen.
Mama turned off the wheat grinder.
She used the wheat to bake bread.
Yum!
She grinds wheat to bake bread.
First, she bought wheat berries.
Next, she bought a wheat grinder from a friend.
She poured two cups of wheat berries into the wheat grinder.
She placed a large bowl underneath to catch the wheat.
And then she turned on the wheat grinder.
The wheat grinder made the most terrific noise.
And we all ran into the bedroom to get away from the wheat grinder.
The vibrations from the wheat grinder shook the house.
Then it was over.
We returned to the kitchen.
Mama turned off the wheat grinder.
She used the wheat to bake bread.
Yum!
The End
Pavel's Story Concludes
Let's have a prayer, said Mama. They prayed for the Dad of the family and then had supper.
Later that evening, after the Father had been discussed at length, Dmitri came in saying hopeful things:
I got some money! They paid me! I can't believe it.
Who? Why? asked Pavel.
The gardening job - they paid me. I thought they weren't going to pay me, I did such a dumb job. I'm no good at gardening. I just took the job because it was free. I'll do better in future I think in this country, he said. They told me to take a horticulture degree too. I think I'll do it.
And Dmitri was happy as a sandboy for the rest of the evening.
Do you two want to come with me to party tonight? he asked Pavel and Mama.
No, thank you, dear, said Mama (panic), let's stay home and have Family Home Evening. Why don't you play a board game with us? she asked hopefully.
Well, alright, said Dmitri and sat down and played with them. He won. Hands down.
One day Daddy came home from the mental asylum where he had been kept, and Mama, Papa and Pavel went out for lunch together. Pavel was so excited and so was everybody else. He was fine.
When they came home Pavel helped Mummy bake Mince Pies for the family and they ate some and then they all went out for a run in the snow, Pavel riding his tricycle. They were so happy.
Then the novel ends, children and my, my, wasn't that the shortest novel you ever did read! And easy on the nerves.
Later that evening, after the Father had been discussed at length, Dmitri came in saying hopeful things:
I got some money! They paid me! I can't believe it.
Who? Why? asked Pavel.
The gardening job - they paid me. I thought they weren't going to pay me, I did such a dumb job. I'm no good at gardening. I just took the job because it was free. I'll do better in future I think in this country, he said. They told me to take a horticulture degree too. I think I'll do it.
And Dmitri was happy as a sandboy for the rest of the evening.
Do you two want to come with me to party tonight? he asked Pavel and Mama.
No, thank you, dear, said Mama (panic), let's stay home and have Family Home Evening. Why don't you play a board game with us? she asked hopefully.
Well, alright, said Dmitri and sat down and played with them. He won. Hands down.
One day Daddy came home from the mental asylum where he had been kept, and Mama, Papa and Pavel went out for lunch together. Pavel was so excited and so was everybody else. He was fine.
When they came home Pavel helped Mummy bake Mince Pies for the family and they ate some and then they all went out for a run in the snow, Pavel riding his tricycle. They were so happy.
Then the novel ends, children and my, my, wasn't that the shortest novel you ever did read! And easy on the nerves.
The End
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Journal
Enjoyed the spectacular views on the way home! Also, I saw many people, and had a fascinating time watching their features. I'm glad I'm an artist, because I have a chance to pass on what I've seen, my impressions of it, that is.
Mummy Returns From Seeing Daddy At The Place Where He Lives
When she came back, she was sad.
Was Daddy there? asked Pavel, his face shining.
Yes, dear. Well, Daddy was well enough to talk to me, but he wasn't very well.
What do you mean, he wasn't very well? Did he have flu?
No. He had Pygmalion Syndrome, he said. Put me in a better place, give me a better life and I'll soar, but this isn't working.
Was Daddy there? asked Pavel, his face shining.
Yes, dear. Well, Daddy was well enough to talk to me, but he wasn't very well.
What do you mean, he wasn't very well? Did he have flu?
No. He had Pygmalion Syndrome, he said. Put me in a better place, give me a better life and I'll soar, but this isn't working.
To Be Continued
Monday, October 15, 2012
Mummy Got A Facial At The Hairdresser
Mummy was going out on a date with Daddy, don't you think so? No, she was going to see him. Like a date I suppose. She wanted to take Pavel, but it was too dangerous she said.
So I will have a facial and my hair done and new clothes and I will go, she said. She made a new dress on the sewing machine, a cotton one (the dress I mean) and went off to see Dad. Dad was a long way away, she said.
So I will have a facial and my hair done and new clothes and I will go, she said. She made a new dress on the sewing machine, a cotton one (the dress I mean) and went off to see Dad. Dad was a long way away, she said.
To Be Continued
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Joanne Okano's Reader
This is a reader to help children learn to read.
This is dedicated to my Auntie Gwen.
1
Hundred Mile House is a great place.
Clinton is swimming.
The weaver is at her loom.
Art is good for the soul.
The toast is hot. I like it with jam.
The farmer is growing cherries.
"Want to see a cherry farm, children?" he says.
Paul is on the phone. He is taking a pizza order.
Shoshana is playing her ukelele. She is good at it.
The missionaries tracted my street today. They wanted to talk to the people about God.
2
Sheron is feeding her chickens. James is catching them. He runs fast.
Maude is seated in the cockpit of her float plane. The flight has just begun and she is in the air.
The horses are wearing blankets, it's so cold. The pasture is white with frost.
The Japanese are dancing the Dance of the Dead at the park. It is a graceful dance.
We are in a hurry. It is a long way to the ferry. Come on road, don't be so long!
Mommy has gone to deliver the mail.
The canning jars are full of pickles.
"I want one too, please."
The squirrel is running across the road. I hope we don't hit it.
The B.C. Museum is an interesting place to go.
The raccoon is in the roof. It has built a nest. I hear it scurrying about. We'll have to phone the S.P.C.A.
Sheila is wearing a purple outfit to her interview. She hopes to get the job.
The Jews are at the synagogue. They are having a festival, dancing.
Peter dazzles us, as usual, with his musical abilities. Wow! Can he play the horn!
Mom's making cabbage rolls for supper tonight.
The fish shop is open. Yoshiko is selling fish. She is happy. Bobby is making sushi.
Lyle has cavities. He must go to the dentist.
I am so happy to live in B.C. I love the weather. I love the mountains and the valleys and the sea.
The kind man took his child to the Pow-wow.
3
Stephen has his ham radio at the ready, to save everyone.
The heron looks so beautiful, I am aghast.
Rupinder has gone fishing. Usually she drives a bus. She is a bus driver for the school board.
The crew is doing a good job of paving the road.
Somerset is a good boy. He is making breakfast so Mummy can go to church too. He is flipping pancakes. Mummy has to do her hair. It takes a long time. She uses hot irons. Careful, don't scald yourself!
Grandpa made lunch for us of Chicken Calcutta. Then we had fruit plate. We put out the grapes, cantaloupe melon, strawberries, and pineapple on the plates. Delicious!
Summer camp is in full swing. The children are walking in a line along the sidewalk, singing.
The prairies are having an electric storm. Heavy clouds gather. The clouds burst. Rain ensues.
"Father made stir-fry for dinner," said Karen. "Wasn't that nice?"
Northern people take a long time to get to their appointments sometimes. It all depends if there is a moose on the road.
The boats are bobbing on the sea. The ocean liner is blaring its horn. Sea breezes waft into shore. I hope I go to sea when I get older.
4
The home schooling mother is in a good mood and so is the principal. They have come to an agreement.
"I will come to your school to borrow books if you don't mind."
"No, not at all."
The family is having fun. It is hilarious to be reading their Great-Grandpa's memoirs.
"I slid down the roof and tore off my britches!" it says. It gets funnier. "Then Mom saw me and put me under the hose pipe, to get the soot off."
My mother says if I go north, I'll see the aurora borealis. These are lights in the sky.
Granville Island is where I like to go most in B.C. I wander round the shops, the market, and see the art and the view. Many people go there. There is a hubbub and I like that.
The little Mennonite school children are dancing at the seaside. They are in a ring, their braids bobbing as they dance in their check dresses.
5
We are busy knitting and having a fun time of it, too, telling stories. Baby clothes are fun to make.
The Japanese had to leave their belongings and go into internment camps. It was very sad. They came back after and started again.
6
I looked out the window. The moon was in the sky, brightly shining.
"Hallo, hallo. Where are the cattle tonight?" said Father.
"In the canyon," I replied.
"Then we'll bed down for the night, after we have some supper," he said. "What's for supper?" he asked.
"I don't know why we're having beans again, but that's all there is. Better make some biscuits," said Mama.
The skunk smells so bad that I have closed the cabin window.
"I wonder why skunks smell that way?" I asked Mama.
"So they don't attract danger," she answered.
"I don't want to know why they smell that way," said Wyatt. "I just want them out of our range."
"Yes, dear," said Father. "I know what you mean. What shall we eat for supper?"
"Beans again!"
Everyone comes to earth with a gift. Some don't know what it is yet. Some are good listeners. Some are good cooks. Some are good at music. Some are good at languages. Some are good at caring for children. Some are good at almost anything they do. You know why? Because they try hard.
The End
Journal
I have a special cleaning job today and I'll tell you about it later!
~
I cleaned the washrooms at the Stake Centre with help. The first thing I did was, silly me, accidentally break the light cover on one of the lights when I was trying to dust it. I told my leader and she helped me pick up the pieces. Things went seamlessly after that.
Someone else arrived to help us and I went home and cooked turkey and listened to Zamir Chorale (Zamir means the Nightingale) and burnt the stuffing to the bottom of the pan. It just is not my day!
After supper I turned on Khachaturian's Sabre Dance and thought how once upon a time, in my younger days, I would have raced round the room to the music, but not now!
Someone else arrived to help us and I went home and cooked turkey and listened to Zamir Chorale (Zamir means the Nightingale) and burnt the stuffing to the bottom of the pan. It just is not my day!
After supper I turned on Khachaturian's Sabre Dance and thought how once upon a time, in my younger days, I would have raced round the room to the music, but not now!
The Fair
Now Pavel, said Mummy, Mummy is going to have you stand on chair and wash dishes while I do drying. Come on now, Pavel.
Oh Mummy, do I have to? asked Pavel, numbly.
Yes, this is good for you. Teach you how work, said Sister Pavlova. Would you like a bib?
No, an apron would do me fine, said Pavel, aware of the language differences between them. Pavel was in school, in preschool, and he knew the difference between a bib and an apron.
Pavel is a good boy, said his mother. Look at him put on his gloves! They're a bit big, are they?
Yes.
Well, never mind. The soap won't get in anyway.
He patiently washed the several dishes and stepped down, holding on to side of chair.
There, all done, he said, while Mother put away the several dishes after drying them.
Good boy, said his mother kindly. Now I take you to the fair for day out.
Whoopee! said Pavel. And off they went.
Pavel, you have to go on the rides, it's normal, said his mother.
Oh Mummy, do I have to? asked Pavel, numbly.
Yes, this is good for you. Teach you how work, said Sister Pavlova. Would you like a bib?
No, an apron would do me fine, said Pavel, aware of the language differences between them. Pavel was in school, in preschool, and he knew the difference between a bib and an apron.
Pavel is a good boy, said his mother. Look at him put on his gloves! They're a bit big, are they?
Yes.
Well, never mind. The soap won't get in anyway.
He patiently washed the several dishes and stepped down, holding on to side of chair.
There, all done, he said, while Mother put away the several dishes after drying them.
Good boy, said his mother kindly. Now I take you to the fair for day out.
Whoopee! said Pavel. And off they went.
Pavel, you have to go on the rides, it's normal, said his mother.
All he wanted was the cotton candy. He got it all over his face and clothes.
To Be Continued
Friday, October 12, 2012
Journal
CABBAGE LEAVES
by
Joanne Okano
This week I have been on a diet again. I named this one the Danny Kaye diet, because he is one of my favourite celebrities and a person full of hope and I like being full of hope myself. In this diet, I listen to the Holy Spirit about how much weight it is safe to lose. I am fitting into my Sunday-best dress more nicely now, so this one is finally working, but I have been fighting the battle of the bulge for most of my life now. I have been fat and thin and in-between. My favourite weight is 140lbs. for myself. I tried the Winnie-the-Pooh diet and the Annabella diet (eat healthy Italian food) and had a fun time but didn't lose any weight. The Annabella diet I tried because in Italy when I visited in the 1980s, I noticed many elegant slender people, who walked a lot around the towns so I wanted to walk a lot and eat Italian food. Annabella is a famous cookbook author. She wrote a very nice chestnut soup recipe I tried in her book Annabella In Cucina (this book is in Italian, and the title means Annabella In The Kitchen!).
APA!
I used to live in Switzerland
For that's where I was born.
In Zurich, in a flat I lived,
And woke up every morn,
A cheerful, laughing baby.
Mother took me out to play.
I said "Apa!" to the men
As they passed me all day.
~
Next we went to Canada
At 'round the age of three
Where I saw a baby bear
It came close to my knee.
"I see a little animal!"
I said to my Mama.
Father picked me up under his arm
And ran in very fast!
~
Next we went to Sweden
With my new sister, Robin,
(She was born in Montreal.
Before we moved to Sweden -
I used to walk all down the street
And bring my friends to see her.)
She was the cutest baby
And we became great friends - yeah.
~
In Montreal I attended preschool
In French of course you know.
In Sweden it was all different
We spoke Swedish there and so
I learned another language
At kindergarten too.
I watched the Monkees on t.v.
And danced to songs I knew.
~
Next we went to England
Where lives the English Queen
I attended the friendly school
In the land of my dreams.
At Piccadilly Circus,
There were taxis everywhere.
I felt on top of the world
In Trafalgar Square!
~
On weekends we went to London
To art galleries and museums
Watched movies and went to church
And watched plays. I was so keen
To do all these great things.
I went to school during the week
To Baston School in Hayes
Where I did knowledge seek.
~
In the summer holidays
We went to Europe's continent
To travel in the car and see
Sights outside of Kent.
Later we bought a cottage
Later we bought a cottage
On Normandy's sunny shore
And went there every time we could
For puppetry and more.
~
We wandered up and down the beach
And cycled on the sand
We bought pommes frites at the seafront.
At muraling I tried my hand.
~
Gardening With Dmitri
Dmitri lost his job at the bank on some account unknown to Pavel (it wouldn't be discussed at home anyway) and, after some perusement of the newspaper and the Web, found a job at the church patiently tending the grounds. This was to his liking until he found out there were snails and slugs around.
Oh, no! he said and carried on as if nothing had happened, so it was worth it to him to work there because there wasn't anything he couldn't deal with.
The members all halloed him as they passed by, although they didn't know what to make of him. His day off consisted of a bottle of beer and a ketchup sandwich you think, but no, he was off beer, and the sandwich had meat in it and vegetables. He had a tan from working outside and he meant well, but people didn't stop to talk to him because they were on their way to meetings when they saw him (midweek meetings happen too at our church) but they weren't afraid. He was a good gardener.
Oh, no! he said and carried on as if nothing had happened, so it was worth it to him to work there because there wasn't anything he couldn't deal with.
The members all halloed him as they passed by, although they didn't know what to make of him. His day off consisted of a bottle of beer and a ketchup sandwich you think, but no, he was off beer, and the sandwich had meat in it and vegetables. He had a tan from working outside and he meant well, but people didn't stop to talk to him because they were on their way to meetings when they saw him (midweek meetings happen too at our church) but they weren't afraid. He was a good gardener.
To Be Continued
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Journal
This morning was slow. I arose about seven thirty and ate a new recipe.
WHEAT PORRIDGE WITH CHEESE BREAKFAST
Ingredients
3 heaping tablespoons whole wheat flour
dash of salt
1 cup water
handful grated cheese (Mozzarella works well)
Method
Whisk together the whole wheat flour, salt and water in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to the boil and turn down the heat to low until it thickens, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon (about 5 minutes). Take saucepan off the heat, and add a handful of grated cheese, stirring it in and letting it melt. Cool slightly and pour into a bowl and eat. Serves 1.
Today was a slow day for me but I got a lot done anyway. The reason it was slow was that my health is not good. I go to see a naturopath from time to time about my liver. A naturopath is a kind of doctor who helps you get well again. She said that my liver is down to a quarter of its functioning, so I sleep a lot. She helped me get some ideas for getting well again and I am doing a lot better than I was. Her name is Doctor Cristina Merluza. She is a very good doctor.
I read scriptures briefly and prayed to my Heavenly Father for a good day. I always pray for health. You know why? because then I get through my day better.
At the grocery store today I let out a yelp of joy when I saw my daughter Shoshana approaching with two pizzas in her cart. We embraced and said hello. I bought some things and felt so grateful that I don't have to eat bugs like some people.
I went home and ate some soup and wrote my blog, not in that order.
Pavel's Prayer
Pavel said his prayers one night for a change beside his bed. He said the words slowly and meaningfully. This is what he said:
Dear Lord,
Thank you for a lovely day full of sunshine. Thank you for the wonderful way the trees grow and the birds sing. I like that. Thank you for Mummy and Daddy. I wonder where Daddy is, God? Mummy doesn't say. Do you know? Have a lovely night, Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Pavel didn't know where Daddy was, but you do, don't you? Don't you know where Pavel's Daddy was? Dead, you think, but no, he was alive. But where, you will find out at the end of the novel!
Dear Lord,
Thank you for a lovely day full of sunshine. Thank you for the wonderful way the trees grow and the birds sing. I like that. Thank you for Mummy and Daddy. I wonder where Daddy is, God? Mummy doesn't say. Do you know? Have a lovely night, Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Pavel didn't know where Daddy was, but you do, don't you? Don't you know where Pavel's Daddy was? Dead, you think, but no, he was alive. But where, you will find out at the end of the novel!
To Be Continued
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Sister Pavlova And Her Church Day
The next day was Sunday and they went to church. Sister Pavlova didn't have a lot of friends at church, as they had just arrived in Canada a few months before, so she went around the chapel shaking hands and saying hello.
Next was the Sacrament Meeting. They took bread and water to remember Christ's death and sacrifice and sang hymns and said prayers. Speakers gave talks on different topics, different speakers every week, from the congregation.
They filed out afterwards full of smiles. Sister Pavlova went to her lesson and Pavel went to his Primary class to learn more about God. And so it went on for two hours. Then it was time to go home and somebody from church gave them a ride home. Dmitri was a less-active member or he would have come too.
Next was the Sacrament Meeting. They took bread and water to remember Christ's death and sacrifice and sang hymns and said prayers. Speakers gave talks on different topics, different speakers every week, from the congregation.
They filed out afterwards full of smiles. Sister Pavlova went to her lesson and Pavel went to his Primary class to learn more about God. And so it went on for two hours. Then it was time to go home and somebody from church gave them a ride home. Dmitri was a less-active member or he would have come too.
To Be Continued
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
The HIll Of Froth Froths More
Dear Children, I wonder how many times a year your mother cleans hill of froth, or if you have a father who cleans house too, how many times a year he cleans hill of froth? It is endless. Paulina had been contacted by phone by Pavel's mother and had agreed to take Pavel for the day after morning prayers had been said. Mummy was going to clean house with Pavel of course, then he'll learn to work she said, and then she was going to take him to Paulina's home and go off to work at the bank for day. Ah, the glorious prospect of cleaning house, you say, but that is not how Pavel's mother felt.
She made it her motto, I will get the job done, I will do it well, I will feel good about doing it. There! that should help me, she said and got started with new resolve. She found all her cleaning materials and cleaned the bathroom. There, that's done she said happily. She vacuumed and swept and washed the floors. Wow, the house feels nice, she said. Like Feng Shui. The hill of froth was again subdued and she had succeeded. She was so very tired, she fell asleep. Meanwhile, Pavel was still cleaning. Pavel was washing the inside of windows. That's too much for a little guy to do, you say, but no, he was doing it well.
Mummy, don't you think you should go to work? he said, when he saw his mother's silken tresses on the bed.
Oh! she woke up with a start. She looked at the time on her watch. We are very very late, she said. She took him running to Paulina's which was two streets away. They made up the time and she caught bus to work she said, but where was Dmitri? If only he could have been there. He would happily have driven us in car. I guess he does have some good points, she admitted. And I guess God is working on me too, she said to herself.
She made it her motto, I will get the job done, I will do it well, I will feel good about doing it. There! that should help me, she said and got started with new resolve. She found all her cleaning materials and cleaned the bathroom. There, that's done she said happily. She vacuumed and swept and washed the floors. Wow, the house feels nice, she said. Like Feng Shui. The hill of froth was again subdued and she had succeeded. She was so very tired, she fell asleep. Meanwhile, Pavel was still cleaning. Pavel was washing the inside of windows. That's too much for a little guy to do, you say, but no, he was doing it well.
Mummy, don't you think you should go to work? he said, when he saw his mother's silken tresses on the bed.
Oh! she woke up with a start. She looked at the time on her watch. We are very very late, she said. She took him running to Paulina's which was two streets away. They made up the time and she caught bus to work she said, but where was Dmitri? If only he could have been there. He would happily have driven us in car. I guess he does have some good points, she admitted. And I guess God is working on me too, she said to herself.
To Be Continued
Monday, October 8, 2012
Pavel Goes To The Park
Oh, look at the swallows! said Pavel. The swallows were building their nests and Pavel was interested. He watched them for a while and then said, Mummy, did Daddy die? Where did he go?
No, dear, Daddy is not dead, only gone for a while, she said. Daddy is a good man and he will come back again.
Oh, okay, said Pavel. And why do we have to live with Uncle Dmitri?
Because he's family, she replied kindly. She frothed at the mouth nearly at this thought, but it was done - the words were said. I wish he were kinder, and would you please follow Jesus' example and not Dmitri's is what I was trying to say at the house, she carried on.
Oh, I get it. Don't try to be like Dmitri, try to be like Jesus, said the boy. He got it.
Her cell phone rang. Hello, she said.
Hello, this is Boyfriend Number 1, said the cell phone.
I don't have a boyfriend, I'm married, she replied quickly, and ended the call.
This happened again four times. She was shaken up. She said to Pavel, Quick, Pavel, we're going back to the house. I don't know which is worse, Dmitri or this man on the phone. Dear God, if this is going to happen again, she prayed, I want Pavel and me to go home.
I want you to live, said God. It won't happen again.
No, dear, Daddy is not dead, only gone for a while, she said. Daddy is a good man and he will come back again.
Oh, okay, said Pavel. And why do we have to live with Uncle Dmitri?
Because he's family, she replied kindly. She frothed at the mouth nearly at this thought, but it was done - the words were said. I wish he were kinder, and would you please follow Jesus' example and not Dmitri's is what I was trying to say at the house, she carried on.
Oh, I get it. Don't try to be like Dmitri, try to be like Jesus, said the boy. He got it.
Her cell phone rang. Hello, she said.
Hello, this is Boyfriend Number 1, said the cell phone.
I don't have a boyfriend, I'm married, she replied quickly, and ended the call.
This happened again four times. She was shaken up. She said to Pavel, Quick, Pavel, we're going back to the house. I don't know which is worse, Dmitri or this man on the phone. Dear God, if this is going to happen again, she prayed, I want Pavel and me to go home.
I want you to live, said God. It won't happen again.
To Be Continued
Saturday, October 6, 2012
King Garlic Went To General Conference
I imagined King Garlic went to General Conference
And sat with all the other dignitaries
And heard from the prophet and other church leaders
How to live for the next six months, my dearies.
He learned the new age for male missionaries
Was eighteen, and nineteen for young ladies
Who wish to serve missions,
As there was a good report from elders
Who served at eighteen in a few select countries.
And sat with all the other dignitaries
And heard from the prophet and other church leaders
How to live for the next six months, my dearies.
He learned the new age for male missionaries
Was eighteen, and nineteen for young ladies
Who wish to serve missions,
As there was a good report from elders
Who served at eighteen in a few select countries.
General Conference
General Conference today was one of my favourites ever. The Prophet spoke and said there would be two new temples built, one in Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A. and one in Lima, Peru. He also spoke about a new policy in the Church for missionaries. Male missionaries may now begin their missions at eighteen years of age if they have graduated from high school, are worthy and able bodied. Female missionaries may now begin their missions at nineteen years of age if they wish, are worthy and able bodied.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Journal
I had such a lovely time preparing meals for General Conference in case my children came over.
I made lentil and rice stew, Philipino baked yams, sandwiches and rolled-up tortillas with dip inside. I have some other food in the freezer which I can whip up in half an hour from the time I serve it, as well.
I made lentil and rice stew, Philipino baked yams, sandwiches and rolled-up tortillas with dip inside. I have some other food in the freezer which I can whip up in half an hour from the time I serve it, as well.
The Treacherous Brother by Joanne Okano
Pavel's mother prayed: Please God, send someone to help us while Papa is away.
The treacherous brother from the Moscow underworld arrived and moved in. He was a little surly.
Why did you send surly brother asked Pavel's mother in prayer one night. He is not very nice.
He was the nicest person I could send to help you, said the Lord. That's how bad things are. Could you pray for him?
Pray every night and morning with me Pavel, that brother Dmitri won't be treacherous any more.
Where is something to eat? I want egg, said treacherous brother.
I have to go to the bank and grocery store to get more eggs, said Pavel's mother kindly (shaking).
Well get some eggs! ordered Dmitri in a surly voice.
Yes dear, she said. Come Pavel my dear, we're going to the bank.
Now?...
Yes, now, said Mama.
Okay, I'll drive you, said Dmitri, and took them there in his old banger.
Thank you, said Mama.
At the bank they saw the bank manager.
How are things, he asked. Have you found childcare yet?
No, I've published a book actually. I work at home.
Excellent idea. You could work for us if you left Pavel with someone.
Yes, yes! said Mama. Not Dmitri, said Mama to herself.
What's wrong with people from underworld? said Dmitri, laughing.
Oh, oh, I think an older lady would be better - more motherly, said Mama.
Yes, maybe our sister Paulina, suggested Dmitri, thoughtfully.
Yes, exactly what I was thinking, said Mama. She would take good care of you, Pavel, said Mama.
So Pavel spent a few hours a day with Paulina, and Mama went to work for the bank. That way they had groceries and shoe money and so on. : D
Pavel's uncle Dmitri needed a job too and he went to work for the bank as a nightwatchman, because this was a big city. He was on his best behaviour because he wanted to keep the job.
Let's go fishing, he said one day to Pavel.
Yes, fishing! said Pavel.
Well, alright, but I'm coming too, said Mama.
So the three of them went fishing. Why was uncle Dmitri so kind? because he felt the Holy Spirit because he enjoyed his job so much. Mama and Pavel had been praying for him to get job.
How is Papa? said Pavel while they were fishing.
Mama said, Oh don't you worry about Papa. He'll be back in no time. I think.
But uncle Dmitri still had his off moments. He had a dog called Pegasus he bought, but it growled at Pavel when Pavel went to pat it, poor thing, said Mummy. Could you do something about it, Dmitri, please?
No, dog is trained to be tough, said Dmitri nonchalantly.
I want to go out, NOW, said Pavel, teeth gritted like his uncle Dmitri. Mama was very worried because instead of being kind always like his father and Mum, little Pavel was growing more hateful by the hour. She was very kind to Pavel and said, Don't snarl at me, young man, I'm your mother.
Oh, I don't snarl at you? asked Pavel, checking his manners.
No dear, it's not kind, she replied.
And that was the end of that.
Please could we go out, said Pavel.
Now we're going out for a walk to the park to see the swallows. Mind the fort for us, will you Dmitri? asked Mama.
I don't know what you mean, said Dmitri, curtly. Where is fort? (His English wasn't as good as his sisters' yet.) I am just eating bananas.
He ate six bananas.
And would you mind throwing peels in garbage can, please? called Mummy as she and Pavel were leaving.
No way, women's work! said Dmitri. I have to do women's work, he said plodding over and gingerly picking them up and disposing of them. Dmitri was such an oaf sometimes!
The treacherous brother from the Moscow underworld arrived and moved in. He was a little surly.
Why did you send surly brother asked Pavel's mother in prayer one night. He is not very nice.
He was the nicest person I could send to help you, said the Lord. That's how bad things are. Could you pray for him?
Pray every night and morning with me Pavel, that brother Dmitri won't be treacherous any more.
Where is something to eat? I want egg, said treacherous brother.
I have to go to the bank and grocery store to get more eggs, said Pavel's mother kindly (shaking).
Well get some eggs! ordered Dmitri in a surly voice.
Yes dear, she said. Come Pavel my dear, we're going to the bank.
Now?...
Yes, now, said Mama.
Okay, I'll drive you, said Dmitri, and took them there in his old banger.
Thank you, said Mama.
At the bank they saw the bank manager.
How are things, he asked. Have you found childcare yet?
No, I've published a book actually. I work at home.
Excellent idea. You could work for us if you left Pavel with someone.
Yes, yes! said Mama. Not Dmitri, said Mama to herself.
What's wrong with people from underworld? said Dmitri, laughing.
Oh, oh, I think an older lady would be better - more motherly, said Mama.
Yes, maybe our sister Paulina, suggested Dmitri, thoughtfully.
Yes, exactly what I was thinking, said Mama. She would take good care of you, Pavel, said Mama.
So Pavel spent a few hours a day with Paulina, and Mama went to work for the bank. That way they had groceries and shoe money and so on. : D
Pavel's uncle Dmitri needed a job too and he went to work for the bank as a nightwatchman, because this was a big city. He was on his best behaviour because he wanted to keep the job.
Let's go fishing, he said one day to Pavel.
Yes, fishing! said Pavel.
Well, alright, but I'm coming too, said Mama.
So the three of them went fishing. Why was uncle Dmitri so kind? because he felt the Holy Spirit because he enjoyed his job so much. Mama and Pavel had been praying for him to get job.
How is Papa? said Pavel while they were fishing.
Mama said, Oh don't you worry about Papa. He'll be back in no time. I think.
But uncle Dmitri still had his off moments. He had a dog called Pegasus he bought, but it growled at Pavel when Pavel went to pat it, poor thing, said Mummy. Could you do something about it, Dmitri, please?
No, dog is trained to be tough, said Dmitri nonchalantly.
I want to go out, NOW, said Pavel, teeth gritted like his uncle Dmitri. Mama was very worried because instead of being kind always like his father and Mum, little Pavel was growing more hateful by the hour. She was very kind to Pavel and said, Don't snarl at me, young man, I'm your mother.
Oh, I don't snarl at you? asked Pavel, checking his manners.
No dear, it's not kind, she replied.
And that was the end of that.
Please could we go out, said Pavel.
Now we're going out for a walk to the park to see the swallows. Mind the fort for us, will you Dmitri? asked Mama.
I don't know what you mean, said Dmitri, curtly. Where is fort? (His English wasn't as good as his sisters' yet.) I am just eating bananas.
He ate six bananas.
And would you mind throwing peels in garbage can, please? called Mummy as she and Pavel were leaving.
No way, women's work! said Dmitri. I have to do women's work, he said plodding over and gingerly picking them up and disposing of them. Dmitri was such an oaf sometimes!
To Be Continued
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Funny Intermission - Tree Tops by Joanne Okano
Here are a counting story I wrote long time ago...
Tree Tops by Joanne Okano
Tree tops
Four tops
Five tops
Six tops
Seven tops
Eight tops
Nine tops
Ten tops
The End
Pavel Finds A Job by Joanne Okano
Some people want others to fail and themselves to succeed. That is not kind. Some other people want everyone to succeed. That is kind. I am of the latter I hope. Pavel was a good boy - he wanted everyone to succeed. He got upon the table and danced, Pavel did.
Papa's home! he said.
Papa went away and Mama had to earn a living for herself and little Pavel. She carried him on her back and strode into town to look for a job. He noticed the pretty pictures in the window of the bank.
Go there, Mummy, he suggested wisely. Children often have good things to say.
They went inside the bank and she asked for a job.
What can you do? the bank manager asked in an interested tone.
I can write advertisements for your bank, said Pavel's mother. I can write them so well that even a three year old can understand them and will want to use your bank.
How so? asked the bank manager.
Like this: Put your money in the savings deposit. It will grow. Even all the three year olds will come here and inwest their Christmas money.
Ah yes, I see exactly, said bank manager.
Three year olds and many older people can't understand thousands of words explaining in complicated detail how and why to inwest money. Make it simple, said Pavel's mother.
Well, that sounds like a wonderful idea, Mrs? said bank manager.
Pavlova, she replied.
Mrs. Pavlova. Now what about the baby? asked bank manager.
Pardon?
The baby on your back?
This is Pavel, my son, she replied and smiled brightly. He comes with me when I go out, don't you Pavel? she played with his hand.
Yes, that's just what I was getting at. We don't bring babies to work here, said bank manager, crestfallen.
Pardon?
We leave them at home with a babysitter or we put them (cringe) in a daycare.
We leave them at home with a babysitter - or we put them in daycare - oh no, Pavel comes with me! she smiled.
His nose is dripping, said bank manager, head bowed. Well, goodbye, Mrs. Pavlova, we'll let you know. He shook her hand.
You'll let me know - if I get job?
Yes, we'll let you know. Time to go now, Pavel!
Bye! said Pavel, waving and smiling.
Outside the bank, Pavel's mother turned to Pavel and said, I think maybe we didn't get job. On to next prospect.
And she went home and wrote a manuscript for a children's book and sent it to a publisher, and then another publisher and then another publisher, and then it was published. Pavel helped her cutting out the pictures and gluing them in with rubber cement. So Pavel found a job.
Daddy would be here if he could dear, said Mama.
Pavel missed his Papa. But he was glad to be with his Mama and helping her.
Papa's home! he said.
Papa went away and Mama had to earn a living for herself and little Pavel. She carried him on her back and strode into town to look for a job. He noticed the pretty pictures in the window of the bank.
Go there, Mummy, he suggested wisely. Children often have good things to say.
They went inside the bank and she asked for a job.
What can you do? the bank manager asked in an interested tone.
I can write advertisements for your bank, said Pavel's mother. I can write them so well that even a three year old can understand them and will want to use your bank.
How so? asked the bank manager.
Like this: Put your money in the savings deposit. It will grow. Even all the three year olds will come here and inwest their Christmas money.
Ah yes, I see exactly, said bank manager.
Three year olds and many older people can't understand thousands of words explaining in complicated detail how and why to inwest money. Make it simple, said Pavel's mother.
Well, that sounds like a wonderful idea, Mrs? said bank manager.
Pavlova, she replied.
Mrs. Pavlova. Now what about the baby? asked bank manager.
Pardon?
The baby on your back?
This is Pavel, my son, she replied and smiled brightly. He comes with me when I go out, don't you Pavel? she played with his hand.
Yes, that's just what I was getting at. We don't bring babies to work here, said bank manager, crestfallen.
Pardon?
We leave them at home with a babysitter or we put them (cringe) in a daycare.
We leave them at home with a babysitter - or we put them in daycare - oh no, Pavel comes with me! she smiled.
His nose is dripping, said bank manager, head bowed. Well, goodbye, Mrs. Pavlova, we'll let you know. He shook her hand.
You'll let me know - if I get job?
Yes, we'll let you know. Time to go now, Pavel!
Bye! said Pavel, waving and smiling.
Outside the bank, Pavel's mother turned to Pavel and said, I think maybe we didn't get job. On to next prospect.
And she went home and wrote a manuscript for a children's book and sent it to a publisher, and then another publisher and then another publisher, and then it was published. Pavel helped her cutting out the pictures and gluing them in with rubber cement. So Pavel found a job.
Daddy would be here if he could dear, said Mama.
Pavel missed his Papa. But he was glad to be with his Mama and helping her.
To Be Continued
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
The Lithuanian Sock Fairies by Joanne Okano
A HAPPY RAINBOW appeared over top of donkey.
Look Mummy, a rainbow! said Pavel.
Oh, yes dear, very nice, she said folding laundry.
Why is it, Mummy, that a three year old can't go to Spain? asked Pavel dreamily.
Because you wouldn't have a Mummy there to love you. I have to stay home and do laundry and make supper and feed the hamster, she reply.
I'll just play on the table top then, said Pavel. I can have adventures right here on the table top with a donkey, I suppose.
Why do you want to go to Spain, son? asked Mummy.
Because I want to do flamenco, he said.
Oh.
I want to go to flamenco school and dance on stage. That's all.
Nice dream, she said, smiling and putting the laundry away.
I have a few other dreams too, Pavel said. Would you like to hear them too?
Go ahead, she said.
I want to sing on television in Wales, ride a donkey through Europe, and go fishing in Abyssinia too.
I hope you get to do all that, she said.
Really? You think I can? he brightened up.
One day.
(Author's note: I used to pray for Russians to come to Vancouver and the next week they started arriving. I like them so much because my next door neighbours at one time were Russian Jews and I played with them as a child.)
Back to Pavel's mother: I awoke early this morn and tiptoed like Shoshana, Brigham, Paul and Somerset and the Lithuanian sock fairies tiptoe in the even, so as not to wake the Fijian neighbours and got to work to tell you this story.
But something had happened. Some Lithuanian sock fairies had come in the night and deposited some Lithuanian sock fluff under my carpet in heap of froth to encourage me to clean. Well, I can tell you when I tripped over that heap of froth I went into CLEANING FRENZY and shone even the chandeliers.
Next door children were donning Lithuanian socks and mittens and homemade dresses and dancing in ring on carpet. They were having fun. I was not having fun you think, but yes, I was having fun too. I put on opera music and made it fun.
Look Mummy, a rainbow! said Pavel.
Oh, yes dear, very nice, she said folding laundry.
Why is it, Mummy, that a three year old can't go to Spain? asked Pavel dreamily.
Because you wouldn't have a Mummy there to love you. I have to stay home and do laundry and make supper and feed the hamster, she reply.
I'll just play on the table top then, said Pavel. I can have adventures right here on the table top with a donkey, I suppose.
Why do you want to go to Spain, son? asked Mummy.
Because I want to do flamenco, he said.
Oh.
I want to go to flamenco school and dance on stage. That's all.
Nice dream, she said, smiling and putting the laundry away.
I have a few other dreams too, Pavel said. Would you like to hear them too?
Go ahead, she said.
I want to sing on television in Wales, ride a donkey through Europe, and go fishing in Abyssinia too.
I hope you get to do all that, she said.
Really? You think I can? he brightened up.
One day.
(Author's note: I used to pray for Russians to come to Vancouver and the next week they started arriving. I like them so much because my next door neighbours at one time were Russian Jews and I played with them as a child.)
Back to Pavel's mother: I awoke early this morn and tiptoed like Shoshana, Brigham, Paul and Somerset and the Lithuanian sock fairies tiptoe in the even, so as not to wake the Fijian neighbours and got to work to tell you this story.
But something had happened. Some Lithuanian sock fairies had come in the night and deposited some Lithuanian sock fluff under my carpet in heap of froth to encourage me to clean. Well, I can tell you when I tripped over that heap of froth I went into CLEANING FRENZY and shone even the chandeliers.
Next door children were donning Lithuanian socks and mittens and homemade dresses and dancing in ring on carpet. They were having fun. I was not having fun you think, but yes, I was having fun too. I put on opera music and made it fun.
To Be Continued
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
The Machine Of Toast Hits The Bigtime And Becomes A Novel by Joanne Okano
Dedicated to Josh Smith
Once upon a time the machine of toast appeared on my blog and now it has appeared again, this time as novel. God tells me little children like short stories mostly, which can be read in a day, but novels are for older readers. He said only reason I want to write novel is for prestige, no? I want to accomplish something, I say, big goal of writing novel this month or longer perhaps. This is funny because it will take you longer, but how much longer you know not, thought comes to me. I only write in little snippets so this could take while. Oh well, I'll try it. Try it? You've got to do it, says thought, if you want to get it done start now and go full tilt for a couple of months and see what comes out of it, no? Yes, is the answer says thought.
But even children of very young age read novels when read to them, so don't give up, says God. All you have to find is suitable subject for young children, write in small parts daily on Web. Small men are popping out of machine of toast in my mind. Is this good enough? Marvellous! What are their names? First one named Pavel. Pavel is toast man, made of toast I mean, with arms and legs and bushy hair on head. He wears clothes and struts about reeling off rhyming verse.
Abyssinia is a place far away.
You can tell I hope to go there one day.
Mother may I go there? No.
Your mother wants you to hoe.
Mother may I go there? Yes.
Your mother wants you to guess.
Ho ho ho go.
He snuck off when machine of toast wasn't looking to see his mother. Adorable mother, he said, can I go to Spain? Well, we'll see about that. How old are you now? Three said Pavel. No, dear, you're too young, she reply kindly. So Pavel being resourceful child, sat down at table and made donkey out of modelling clay. Clip clop said donkey and walked across table.
Once upon a time the machine of toast appeared on my blog and now it has appeared again, this time as novel. God tells me little children like short stories mostly, which can be read in a day, but novels are for older readers. He said only reason I want to write novel is for prestige, no? I want to accomplish something, I say, big goal of writing novel this month or longer perhaps. This is funny because it will take you longer, but how much longer you know not, thought comes to me. I only write in little snippets so this could take while. Oh well, I'll try it. Try it? You've got to do it, says thought, if you want to get it done start now and go full tilt for a couple of months and see what comes out of it, no? Yes, is the answer says thought.
But even children of very young age read novels when read to them, so don't give up, says God. All you have to find is suitable subject for young children, write in small parts daily on Web. Small men are popping out of machine of toast in my mind. Is this good enough? Marvellous! What are their names? First one named Pavel. Pavel is toast man, made of toast I mean, with arms and legs and bushy hair on head. He wears clothes and struts about reeling off rhyming verse.
Abyssinia is a place far away.
You can tell I hope to go there one day.
Mother may I go there? No.
Your mother wants you to hoe.
Mother may I go there? Yes.
Your mother wants you to guess.
Ho ho ho go.
He snuck off when machine of toast wasn't looking to see his mother. Adorable mother, he said, can I go to Spain? Well, we'll see about that. How old are you now? Three said Pavel. No, dear, you're too young, she reply kindly. So Pavel being resourceful child, sat down at table and made donkey out of modelling clay. Clip clop said donkey and walked across table.
To Be Continued
The Machine Of Toast Rides Again by Joanne Okano
As I sidled past the counter, I spied a hill of froth underneath it. Now some hill of froth is normal, I thought. Why? Unlike other women, I don't hate hill of froth quite the way you do and want to clean it up on a normal day. My mother taught me that my hill of froth is permanent, while other mothers seem to say that hill of froth will vanish if you clean it. I wish.
The End, I think...
Monday, October 1, 2012
The Machine Of Toast Breaks Its Head by Joanne Okano
Numbskull, I thought as I hurried towards the dishwasher with the toaster on top. Paulina says this is the way to do it. Why didn't I think of this before, I thought. She says you push the lever down on the side of the machine of toast, and a man comes out the top. Well I tried it, and its head broke. The whole machine fell apart. What did I do wrong? I wondered. You're expecting too much, said a little voice. How so? I asked. You didn't treat me kindly in premortal life, said the voice.
To Be Continued
Journal
When you're old, you do what you gotta do, even though it isn't what you'd like to do sometimes. When you're young, you do what you want to maybe, but you pay for it later if it isn't what you were meant to do.
I had a busy Saturday, and recovered on Sunday.
I had a busy Saturday, and recovered on Sunday.
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