The Illusion

Cover of play program.

Last night Lynn and I attended the closing performance of a play our son, Richard, has been working on for school the past few weeks.  The play was The Illusion. It was written by an American playright, Tony Kushner, adapted from Pierre Corneille's 17th Century comedy, Illusion Comique.

 I thought it was pretty good and so did Lynn. I liked that it had a bit of humor as well as an intermission (unlike the previous play Richard was involved with). It was a full-house.

Richard is credited in the program as Lightboard Operator but he was also involved with hanging/placing (etc) the lights and assisting with programming the board. They usually have a week of setup (i.e., Tech Week) and then a few days of dress rehearsals, followed by a week of performances, then they strike the set. 

Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Illusion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Kushner
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%27Illusion_Comique

Greetings from Japan

Yesterday I came home to find a large yellowish padded envelope from Japan (for me!). Hooray! It was from my pen pal, Satoko. We go back a long time (at least 25 years). I feel very blessed to have such a good friend, especially someone who has loyally kept in touch for so many years despite the many miles that separate us.

For the past several years, Satoko has sent me a box of chocolates for my birthday. Chocolates (sweets) are one of my weaknesses. So it is often difficult for me to make the gift last beyond a day.

Notice the postmark (at the left). I believe that is a crane (bird), but I could be wrong (and I often am). The Japanese regard the crane as a symbol of good fortune and longevity; it also represents fidelity.

I was very happy and relieved to receive the package because I was worried about Satoko since I had not heard from her in a while. She lives in the Tokyo area and I was concerned that she and her family may have suffered ill effects from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant disaster. So the arrival of the package is a good sign.

And the package did contain chocolate!

Note the attractive fancy wrapping.

I had to tilt the camera to minimize the reflection but look closely....

I wonder what kinds are under this cover?

And here they are! Look quick because they will soon be gone

And they came with a beautiful card:

Satoko sends me the most beautiful cards...

A most wonderful present!

Yumm... All gone. They were delicious!!!

Links:
http://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/2014/02/another-happy-birthday.html
http://janmstore.com/tsuru.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukushima_Daiichi_nuclear_disaster


Revised Sunday 3/16/2014 to add the empty box.

The Perils of Ssali

Letter received via e-mail from Fr. Hattie on Ash Wednesday (March 5, 2014).

Above is a letter I received recently from Fr. Hattie. I took the liberty of using some software to sharpen the image and to give it a bluish-green tint in order to hearken back to the airmail letters that he used to send from Africa.

Below is my transcription of the letter. If you'd like to write to Fr. Hattie, he can be reached at:
EHattie@Ymail.com.

See the "Fr. Hattie Page" for more contact info, including where to send donations.
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Dear Rick:         Peace of Christ!

Here it is Ash Wednesday & Lent is already on us. So, before we get far into this Holy Season, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your latest Gift of $xx.xx, appreciated so much more because it was the only Gift that came in for the 2nd half of February. I am hoping & praying that, after the Tax Date is over, friends will open their purses...

I had told you that 1 of my old 'street kids' that I picked up many years ago when he was just 5 and without a single relative...& had tried to jump in front of a truck several times...was accused of causing financial loss to the Bank where he was manager. His Case lingered on for 2-1/2 years with no end in sight. Well, on Feb. 28 the case was dropped with no conditions. The bank was furious because they'll have to begin all over again to catch the thief.

Anyhow, last Sat. nite, 3 men forced entry into his house, blindfolded him & knocked him out with a blow on the head with a gun. They dropped him in the middle of a thick forest many miles away. He woke up at 1 A.M. with no idea where he was & had to walk from 1-5 A.M. & no one would help him, thinking him to be a thief.

He had to sell his cell phone for practically nothing to get $ for transport home. In the meantime, they ruined $1500.00 worth of chicken food, but touched nothing else. Thank God, his 3 cows and 450 chickens were spared. But, the guy's Faith & courage have been harmed.

Please thank God for the cancellation of the Case & pray for Ssali Denis that his Faith will not be abandoned. We'll wait to see where to go from here after he has seen his Lawyer, for the same thing could happen again.

Tons of love & gratitude,

Fr. Gene, SJ
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Written Sunday 9 March 2014