Making a Change Around Here

I can't take it anymore. I am making an executive decision which means I haven't not run this by the man currently known as TOIL around here.

I am no longer calling my husband- the man that makes my heart sing - the man I live with - the man of my dreams - TOIL. I was trying to be inclusive when I asked N how he would like for me to refer to him on this blog. He pondered, considered, threw out even more annoying suggestions and finally settled on TOIL which stands for - at least in his mind - The One I Love.

Let there be no doubt. I do indeed love him. A lot. He is my boyfriend we like to keep it fresh around here. But every time I have to type TOIL my blood curdles a little for a moment. Which is bad for my health. EVERY SINGLE TIME I TYPE IT I first think of the 3 Witches from Shakespeare's MacBeth, "Double, double, toil and trouble". And then I think of the definition: thanks www.dictionary.com

toil
1. hard and continuous work; exhausting labor or effort.
2. a laborious task.
3. Archaic. battle; strife; struggle.

And while being honest about our marriage, I can say that, yes sometimes toil shows its ugly head in our relations. I can also say that my honey and I work to keep things like, "exhausting effort" and "a laborious task" and "a battle" from defining our relationship. We do a pretty darn good job with it.Isn't he handsome underwater?

From this moment forward the ONE that I LOVE will no longer be referred to as TOIL on this blog, no matter how funny and ironic he thinks it is. I am initiating my authority over what gets set down in typeface here. I will call him N. because it makes me think of him first and foremost when I type it and, that way his identity is sacred, I mean secret. And it's easier to type.

Amen.

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Words To Mark This Moment In Time

Today stands out from others. Today, an Elder is returned to the Earth. This Elder was the last Native speaker of the Tututni Language. This man earned a Purple Heart for his actions during the Korean war. This Elder fought many battles, not the least of which was the battle he had to overcome just to begin speaking his native tongue out loud once again. To make his mouth form those sounds and his vocal cords allow the breath to pass by, was a victory hard won. You see, this man was taken to a Boarding School as a young boy and whipped anytime he spoke a syllable of his Mother tongue. He had to learn English quickly and he did. It was harder to overcome the fear associated with speaking Tututni many decades later, but he did. And when he did, a world of forgotten memories came flooding back to him. Times with his Mother and Aunties. This man, he loved to tell stories about them. He loved to tell stories. His heart shone brightly when he spoke his language, and even more brightly to see young ones eager to learn it.

Imagine for a moment what it might be like to have your first language be so obscure, so rarely spoken that it was deemed extinct. What does it mean for humanity when we loose a language of the people? What does it mean for humanity to forbid the speaking of a language? How closely entwined is your identity with your Mother tongue? How does your language influence the way you relate to others?

To this Elder, I say thank you. For modeling the courage to overcome fear and make something beautiful happen. For believing that to loose something so great as the language of a people is too terrible to fathom. Thank you for all the stories and smiles and words that you generously shared - with so many. My family will keep your memory strong. We continue to speak and sing in that nearly lost language. So will our children. We are grateful for your walk on this Earth. Rest, dear Elder, in peace.


Obituary 
Chosin Reservoir Purple Heart Warrior
First Warrior Tribute
Tutudin Language Aritcle Written for the Register Guard
Another Article about Tutudin Language Restoration

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Cuijas - a Cute Mexican Mystery

More commonly known as besuconas (many huge kisses) for the incredibly loud kissing sound they make. Really, its remarkable that such a big sound comes out of such a little critter. I fell in love with them while we were in Barra de Navidad, Mexico. The trouble is, we don't know what they are called in English, so we have not been able to do any research. No matter really, the besuconas would regularly make me squeal with delight upon hearing and seeing them. Aren't they adorable? They are white, nearly transparent, fast and sooo shy usually only coming out during the cooler hours from dusk to dawn. Getting pictures was a feat all on its own.

During the day, they happily hide and sleep behind things hanging on the wall like pictures, or are tucked behind vines or other foliage. The people love them as they eat insects and are said to bring good luck.

If you can tell me more about my new favorite lizard/gecko/chameleon - ish friends, I will be forever grateful.

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