Firelance

Sweet Nathan

posted by Firelance @ 2:53 PM Comments: 8

conversation with the neighbor ladies last night

Me: We're not going to be here for a few days. We have to go up to Hungary to pick up a friend.
Bahra & Amela: Why'd she go to Hungary?
Me: She had to see a specialist-doctor.
Bahra & Amela: We have everything right here in Sarajevo! What's wrong with you!!?? Spend all that money to go to Budapest and we have some of the best doctors and hospitals in the world, right here! Not even Belgrade has such a fine hospital.
Me: I'm pretty sure that she needed a special doctor and Budapest had one of the only ones in this region.
Bahra & Amela: No, you're crazy, you're the sick one! What a waste...

(Both Bahra and 9-month pregnant Amela smoke a few more cigarettes)

Me: Amela, how's the baby coming along?
Amela: Coming soon, but I'm not having my baby at the hospital here! I'm going to a private clinic somewhere else.
Me: Why not go to the (world class) Koshevo Hospital?
Amela: Are you kidding!!?? They have mice running around all over that place!! No way!!

posted by Firelance @ 2:53 AM Comments: 3

Written 2 days ago...

Today has been a dreadful day. Three years ago today one of my dearest friends got married in truly the most unique and beautiful wedding ceremoniy that I have ever attended. It was as originally fasioned as the very bride and groom who exchanged their vows. I remember welling with emotion as Lauren sang her song to a barefooted, bearded, beast of a man, my youngest son's namesake: Nathan Taylor.

Nathan has gone home to Jesus, and it is still very hard to deal with. Even more so for our dear sister. Here is a portion of the Tennyson's "In Memoriam" that somehow made me think of Nate throughout the day:

I held it truth, with him who sings
To one clear harp in divers tones,
That men may rise on stepping-stones
Of their dead selves to higher things.

But who shall so forecast the years
And find in loss a gain to match?
Or reach a hand thro’ time to catch
The far-off interest of tears?

Let Love clasp Grief lest both be drown’d,
Let darkness keep her raven gloss:
Ah, sweeter to be drunk with loss,
To dance with death, to beat the ground,

Than that the victor Hours should scorn
The long result of love, and boast,
‘Behold the man that loved and lost,
But all he was is overworn.’

posted by Firelance @ 12:18 PM Comments: 5

Picture of Bosnia

I know that there are many pictures here, but they all show a picture of this region today: broken. We had a WONDERFUL visit from our friends the Nemeths who faithfully serve in another broken town called Vukovar. The time was rich, the food was hearty (one word: MacKenzie), the kids had fun, and we were encouraged. By the way, if you don't know what you're looking at, these pictures were taken just outside of town where the downhill events took place for the 1984 Olympics. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place platforms, so we heard, were ironically used as an execution site during the war here.

posted by Firelance @ 1:57 AM Comments: 2

Photos that make you cry

We've done songs already, how about photos? I must have seen this one captured at a KKK rally in Michigan over a decade ago and still can't get it out of my mind:

I suppose you could link your photo in the comments section. Either that or post it on your own blog.

posted by Firelance @ 3:19 PM Comments: 2

Small business opportunity in E. Europe

Every time I leave the confines of the fmr. Yug. I am amazed at the visible differences in my surroundings. And then, after being gone, whether for a short period or long, coming back in is just as shocking. I helped my friend Chris drive his wife Norma to Budapest the other day. She had to fly home immediately for a family emergency. The second, I mean the very second, we crossed the border back into Serbia, we noticed that we were "home" by all of the small businesses set up on the roadside. If any of you are interested, it looks like a promising, steady income. You basically sacrifice a little time and go to a local police academy, and you're all set. With the badge, gun, and radar, you can make loads of cash, totally under the table and therefore tax free!

posted by Firelance @ 6:26 AM Comments: 4