Posts Tagged: Stone Soup

Mas Concrete

October 17, 2012

Here’s a picture of Rigoberto, whom I mentioned at the end of the last concrete email: Rigoberto shared his glove with me, so that I could cover my bandaged hand and avoid any further injury or infection. I mentioned my herniated disc  here  and here : there were several pieces to that story, though.  I would take breaks from our work so that my back could rest for a few moments.  Although I aimed for discretion, it wasn’t always a success.  Case …

There are stories all around

October 16, 2012

There are stories everywhere, all around us—not just in Guatemala City or in a foreign country.  When you slow down and pause, you’re able to catch them as they occur.  Case in point: karaoke night at your neighborhood bar. I don’t understand karaoke as an art form; what’s enjoyable about hearing people who cannot sing, especially as a musician? When I lived in England, I worked at a bar, and my favorite part was people watching—it’s almost as good as …

Another’s story…

August 15, 2012

I have to take a moment to honor Ed Shirley, a friend who died suddenly today.   Ed’s important to this blog because his story rubbed up against mine.  We were cohorts at the Franciscan Federation Annual Conference several years ago; he and I had spoken on the phone several times prior to that.  I asked/invited him to work with our Action Commissioners, as a member of an Action Circle in Austin, Texas.  We hadn’t been able to meet in person before, as I …

Guatemala: Getting Goin’

August 03, 2012

Before I went to Guatemala , everyone kept asking me “Are you excited?”; my response was always the same– “No, not yet. I have so much to get done. I’ll be grateful and excited once I’m on the plane.” The days leading up to my trip were filled with business, tutoring, purchasing supplies. I left on a Monday, and the Saturday beforehand, I spent doing last minute preparations– trips to the different stores to buy what I needed from my list: …