A poem to spark

Woulda
Could a
Should a
Didn't
Wasn't
Ain't
Seas of rueful blue
Flow through you
For every forward step
Not taken

Preserving Potawatomi

The following is an assignment from the current FutureLearn course I'm taking, Introduction to Intercultural Studies: Language and Culture 

The Potawatomi language, spoken by members of the Potawatomi tribe of North America, is in real danger of becoming extinct. It is in the Algonquin language family. Recent numbers place the amount of speakers to lower than 25. The language's decline resulted from the history of contact with Europeans and Americans and eventual suppression that most native groups faced. In addition, many of the native speakers are elderly. Revitalization of the language has been in the hands of the Potowatomi themselves as each of their nine bands, which reside in Michigan, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Canada, have a language department that provides resources. In Michigan, for example, classes are offered at a high school and college level. Hence, younger generations can gain access and keep the language alive. For the Potowatomi, such efforts means culture is also maintained, given the language is key to the group's cultural teachings and practices. contains Such situations, in my view, demonstrate the interconnected nature of language and culture. It is thus essential to preserve language to preserve culture.

References: 
http://www.neaseno.org/ 
www.pbpindiantribe.com/language/ 
www.heraldpalladium.com/news/local/educators-work-to-keep-ancient-potawatomi-language-alive/article_6ea131cc-6b3e-518e-819e-3dbe8393ea32.html

Yet another Stronae update

Here's the new news on my desk plant, Stronàe. For a refresher,  my story on maintaining her can be found here and here. This month, after some significant need of TLC (again, I'm a novice at anything related to keeping a plant),  I decided to re-pot her with some new soil

Unfortunately, she still ended up needing more pruning. On the upside,  she's still hanging in there.

P.S. If anyone has any tips on how to get a pruned plant back from looking like a Charlie Brown Christmas tree, it would be greatly appreciated.

Resolutions, failure, and "Just Doing It"

So we're well into the New Year. How are those resolutions coming? In many cases, resolutions mean  change, which is hard to do.  Hence, the occasional slip up, or in some cases, out-and-out failure. Thanks to Dynamic Catholic again for coming through with a soul-piercing insight to think about when we fall down in our journey to growth and need to get back up and , like Nike, "Just Do It".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Photo: from Dynamic Catholic)



Faith is like breathing

 (Photo courtesy of http://static4.depositphotos.com)

In a recent conversation with my best friend, she said "Faith is like breathing ". It was striking in its profound simplicity. As the new year approaches, it feels apropos to consider how necessary faith is to life, like breathing. It's hardwired in us, like breathing. Take time to focus on your faith life the same way we try to slow down and take deep breaths. If something is obstructing it like bronchitis obstructs the lungs, find what you need to keep it going. Your life will thank you for it.

Yours,
MsRanaDee

R.I.P. Sister Antona Ebo

(Sr. Mary Antona Ebo at the March on Washington Photo courtesy of National Catholic Reporter)

Your humble blogger is heartbroken to hear of the recent passing of Sr. Antona Ebo. She was widely known for being the only Black nun at the 1965 March on Washington. Words fail to do her legacy justice, so check out the link below:

http://stlouisreview.com/article/2017-11-11/obituary-sister-ebo

My spotlight here has a link to a great YouTube video on her.

About the present moment

What's been on your humble blogger's mind as of late is that of the accepting the present moment being an opportunity to connect with the transcendental. Go figure the following recently arrived in my email from Dynamic Catholic

Ruminating on this begged the following question:

Will you seize the opportunity or nah?

Food for thought.