AfricanKelli

« Home

For the last week or so I’ve been reading, “Breath, Eyes, Memory” — a Haitan tale of women and their relationships with their daughters. Of course, with the tragedy unfolding in Port au Prince, it’s been a difficult read. I don’t know that anyone handles this sort of mass tragedy well, but I feel itchy. I wish more than anything I had some sort of skill that would make me useful in such situations. I wish I was there.

And then, I don’t. I’m not sure I could handle seeing the death. I nearly fell off the treadmill yesterday when they showed footage of a little boy being rescued from the wreckage. His arms outstretched, he was handed overhead by rescuers down a mountain of broken concrete. I was in tears.

This book is an Oprah selection; they usually make me far too introspective and sad. This book didn’t send in the dark clouds. Instead, it told a strange, interesting tale from a cultural perspective I was hungry to learn from. It is an easy read and I did enjoy it.

My favorite excerpt comes from the very last page:

“There is always a place where women live near trees that, blowing in the wind, sound like music. These women tell stories to their children both to frighten and delight them. These women, they are fluttering lanterns on the hills, the fireflies in the night, the faces that loom over you and recreate the same unspeakable acts that they themselves lived through. There is always a place where nightmares are passed on through generations like heirlooms. Where women like cardinal birds return to look at their own faces in stagnant bodies of water.

“I come from a place where breath, eyes, and memory are one, a place from which you carry your past like the hair on your head. Where women return to their children as butterflies or as tars in the eyes of the statues that their daughters pray to. My mother was as brave as starts at dawn.”

3 out of 5 bananas

~K

A girlfriend recently brought me back a copy of this Mexican magazine, knowing with certainty it would be appreciated. I’ve never read Arqueologia before, but their article on the chiles of Mexico is spectacular.

They take many of the chiles enjoyed nationally and track their histories — both geographically and how they were used ritually.

Such as an ancient form of punishing children.  Ouch! This makes my eyes burn to look at the ancient art, of which there is also a chile-influenced section.

There are also some really cheesy photos from the 1970s of Mexican women grinding chiles. Doesn’t she look enthused? Nothing says photo shoot like giant ribbons in your hair and a good slouch.

And there must be at least one sombrero. I love this photo. This older man is sitting in a field of chiles.

If you see a copy of this magazine, it is worth the purchase even if you don’t read Spanish. The photos and maps are fascinating!

~K

“There’s a trick to the ‘graceful exit.’ It begins with the vision to
recognize when a job, a life stage, or a relationship is over — and
let it go. It means leaving what’s over without denying its validity or
its past importance to our lives. It involves a sense of future, a
belief that every exit line is an entry, that we are moving up, rather
than out.”
–Ellen Goodman

I’ve been reading quite a bit lately. I know I’ve enjoyed the recommendations of your favorite reads in the past, and talking about what I’m reading is one of my favorite points of conversation. Yep, I’m a dork. But you know what? I’m done caring that this label makes me anything other than exceptionally curious about the world.

In 2010, (or the last few days of 2009), I’ve read:
The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet: this book came at the recommendation of my friend Erin. When I saw it on sale at a local bookshop a few days later, I scooped it up. Out of 5 bananas, I’d give this a 3.5. It is the story of a Chinese boy and Japanese girl who fall in love in Seattle during World War II when the United States so thoughtfully decided to inter Japanese families. The story is told from the present and the past. It is a sweet, interesting read and taught me more about an ugly chapter in our nation’s human rights history.

A Homemade Life: Molly Wizenberg is the blogger behind Orangette who made French cooking in the current day seem fun. Her blog is delightful. Her book is like your favorite slice of cake served warm from the oven. (Or, like “Christmas morning,” as Matty would say.) The essays chronicle chapters in her own life (father’s death, meeting her future husband), each capped with a recipe that reminds her of the characters involved. It is such a good book — one my mother begged me for when I finished it on our vacation. Uncharacteristically, I said no. This is a book I’m keeping forever. Instead she copied large portions of the recipes by hand and has since purchased her own copy. I’ve also made several other recipes since and they are very, very good. Molly is a great storyteller and a good cook — two of my favorite things. 5 out of 5 bananas.

The Hummingbird’s Daughter: This book couldn’t be a better read after having just finished The Lacuna. The Hummingbird’s Daughter is a fictionalized take on a real woman’s life as a healer. It is set on a ranch in northern Mexico in the late 1800s – early 1900s. It is a fascinating read. I learned much about Mexican politics of the time, life on a working cattle ranch, bee keeping, healing with herbs, the Catholic church’s influence on international politics, etc. If this secret wasn’t already spilled: I love Mexico. I love the way this country celebrates color, spice, dance and life. I love the vast history of mixed people. I love the varying landscape — from tropics to desert plains. If you share my passion, you’ll love this story. 4 out of 5 bananas, absoloodle.

I would love to read a book a week in 2010, like this person did in 2009.

“Naive you are / if you believe / life favours those / who aren’t
naive.”
–Piet Hein, poet and scientist (1905-1996)

And if you are still reading — a personal tidbit to throw into the mix. I resigned yesterday. I didn’t sleep much last night but I know it is the best choice. I’m moving on to a new position and career direction, and am balancing a couple part-time jobs too. Change has notoriously been difficult for me, but there are times when you know that the sting of the unknown won’t last long. At a time when so many are out of work, I can’t tell you how lucky I feel to have options.

Taking fear by the horns in the new year,

K

P.S. Yep, that is a potato shaped like a heart. A sign I love carbs? Indeed.

Books!

Yeah, these photos are terrible, but it is what you get with a Blackberry camera from 25 yards away. That is Barbara Kingsolver, one of my very favorite authors. I know, I know — I’ve already shared how much I enjoyed hearing her speak last month. How does this have anything to do with advent?

Well, I’d be remiss to put together a list of thoughtful ways to celebrate Christmas without including books. As a reader, nothing thrills me more than having a friend hand me a book and say, “This. This is a story you’ll love.” In truth, I’ll read just about anything with that introduction. “The Lacuna” is one of my favorite books of 2009. It is so very good. But there are many others! Here are my suggestions for a holiday shopping list:

For the adventurer/traveler/person who loves politics:  “Whispering in the Giant’s Ear”

Runner up: “The Monkey Wrench Gang”

For the chef: “The Art of Simple Food” (best cookbook ever, in my opinion)

Runner up: “A Platter of Figs”

For the children in your life: “14 Cows for America”

Runner up: “I love you Stinky Face”

For anyone — thoughtful, interesting, entertaining reads:

“Unaccustomed Earth”

“Left to Tell”

“The Syringa Tree”

And books about nature I just think are wonderful:

“Trout: An Illustrated History”

“Bear Portraits”

“Monkey Portraits”

~K

One of the things I’m most thankful for are good books. When I read a couple weeks ago about “14 Cows for America,” I knew I had to read the story for myself.

It’s about a group of Masaai warriors who decide to give cows to the United States after 9/11.

The symbolism in the book is startling. There are often exquisite drawings with two tower-like figures in the background. Giraffe necks, walking sticks, branches of acacia trees.

Interestingly, I bought this book for a young friend. Reading it to her, I realized she is young enough to have been born years after the national tragedy. While I had tears in my eyes by the end of the story, touched by the beautiful illustrations as much as the carefully selected words, she was entranced by the animals.

In a way, this is healing.

The other recent children’s book I purchased is “The Red Shoes.” Again, it’s the matching of spectacular drawings with words chosen just right that make this book art.

Plus, who doesn’t love a good story of redemption that includes amazing accessories?

Both stories are full of hope and healing with patient perseverance. They are being added to my list of favorites for children, including “The Fire Cat,” and “The Secret Garden.”

~K