Book of Bulmash, chapter 95
Chapter 95
Photo credit: Library of Congress
- "O Mother!" cried the nine-year-old child. "I have great need of apparel which beareth the image of my school mascot!"
- "Therefore must thou complete the order form so I may bring it to school on this, the day of deadline."
- The mother half-pretended not to hear the boy's plea,
- For her ears were still ringing with his most recent morning tantrum.
- Then the mother replied to her son, "Thou seemest not to understand a fundamental principle of obtaining thy heart's desire;
- "Namely, that one must not enrage the person whom you beseech for a favor."
- And thus the mother closed her ears to the child's renewed howling.
- She delivered him unto the place of learning, as was her duty.
- But as she returned to their home to perform her ablutions before journeying to her place of employ, the mother reconsidered.
- For was this day not the eve of giving thanks?
- Should she not be grateful that her child had not enraged his teacher as well, and set the teacher's heart against him in the classroom?
- Indeed, should the mother not give praise to The One for the continued good health of her children and her husband?
- "I shall not acknowledge to my son that I have ordered his apparel," she grumbled to herself. "For that would send The Wrong Message regarding his behavior."
- Nevertheless the mother did swallow her pride, and wrote out the necessary cheque of payment to the school's PTA
Coming soon: A trip through the mind of an artist
Maybe you caught a glimpse of the work in You're Not From Around Here, Are You? on TV...
But it's a funny thing: seeing art in person is even better, even if you spend just a few minutes with each piece. That's one reason I'd like to show you around the exhibit myself during an artist-led tour. Details:
Bonus: people on the tour will be the first to receive a free, limited-run sticker commemorating their visit to the exhibit at the Northwest African American Museum!
I'd suggest you mark it on your calendar before the holidays consume all our (remaining) brain cells. See you there!
A veteran to remember
Just a brief note to wish you a happy Veterans Day... and speaking of veterans, today would be an excellent time to learn a little more about a remarkable veteran blessed by St. Felicia.
Photo credit: Diane Venti
Take a closer look at the devotional candles set between the St. Felicia icons.
The candle second to the left honors Cathay Williams, a veteran of the American Civil War. On the back of the candle, I placed a brief summary of her life story:
“We venerate Cathay Williams, favorite of St. Felicia, Patron Saint of Farewells.
Born into slavery in Missouri, Williams is best known as the only African American woman to serve in the US Army during the 1800s. She did so by disguising herself as a man. Williams once said she enlisted because she “wanted to make [her] own living and not be dependent on relations or friends.”
May we follow Cathay Williams’ example and gain favor with St. Felicia.”
All of the devotional candles will be available for purchase on my website on November 17th. In the meantime, go forth and make Cathay Williams (and St. Felicia) proud!