Both Sides of the Fence
A Tosa resident since 1991, Christine walks the dog, raises kids, cooks but avoids housework, writes and reads, and works too much. A Quaker and
The Aging Maven, she has been known to stand on both sides of the political and philosophic fence at the same time, which is very uncomfortable when you think about it. She writes about pretty much whatever stops in to visit her busy mind at the moment. One reader described her as "incredibly opinionated but not judgmental." That sounds like a good thing to strive for!
Happy homecoming kids-- and happy birthday, Switzerland!
By Christine McLaughlin
Wednesday, Aug 1 2007, 10:06 AM
Yesterday, Liz and a bunch of friends from Tosa and beyond got back from New Orleans, where they were doing cleaning and gutting work in the city’s poorest area. The 9th Ward is essentially untouched since Hurricane Katrina two years ago, and both kids and adults were shocked.
The most poignant moment for Liz was recovering a family’s photo album from what remained of their house. Most of the images were damaged, but there was a picture of the little girl who had lived there once upon a time, and happily by the looks of the photo.
Where is she now? Is her family together? Have they made a good new life? Do they long for their own homecoming?
The kids from Unitarian Universalist Church West in Brookfield and Lake Country Unitarian Universalist Church in Delafield did gut-busting work. They also had a chance to let the world —or at least the readers of the Times Picayune and anyone who walked past the Monticello Canal last Saturday--know about their concerns for the lack of progress in the area. Along with residents, they formed a human levee 120 people strong and 3 blocks long, holding hands.
That might not hold back the water that continues to overflow the streets whenever it rains hard. But it might raise awareness about the need for the government to join its hands with the residents and volunteers there.
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August 1 is the 716th birthday of the Swiss Confederation, aka Switzerland and before either, Helvetia. This is the day the nationals gained their freedom from the Franks and the Germans.
I know this because one of Tosa’s great hostesses is Swiss and will be celebrating in style. Apples will be involved, but not arrows. The Swiss seem to have gotten the appropriate use of artillery, including the handheld variety, down.
Happy independence day, Switzerland!
