remembering margaret on memorial day

May 26, 2014November 11, 2024 ~ jama ~ 62 Comments

When we were preparing for my mother’s memorial service last month, we found several files full of newspaper clippings, photos and documents relating to her service in the Women’s Army Corps during World War II.

It was interesting to see the orders calling her to active duty, a roster of the first 59 women from Hawaii to enlist, correspondence about awards and medals she had earned, and her certificate of Honorable Discharge. But what my brother and I probably cherished most was a short chronology she had written about her experiences.

Her simple words were an unexpected gift that made us appreciate anew her courage and resolve during uncertain times. She was living on Oahu when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. She was willing to leave her family and friends to serve in the military at a time of rampant racism and sexism, not knowing where in the world she would be sent once she finished basic training.

*In my mom’s handwriting on the back of this photo: “This is the picture we took at our company party. The lei are all paper lei we made.”*

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just checking in

May 1, 2014May 1, 2014 ~ jama ~ 71 Comments

“The greatest tribute to the dead is not grief but gratitude.” ~ Thornton Wilder

Hello, Friends,

As some of you know, my mother passed away early last month — nine days after we arrived in Hawai’i. Though I’m still trying to process her rapid decline and accept the finality of her death, I do know I’m very grateful that I was able to see her one last time and that she knew I was there.

Thank you so much for the many emails, snail mail cards, and kind condolences via social media. Your caring, concern and support meant a lot and certainly made a tough time easier.

I’ve just returned to Virginia, am trying to get my life back on track, and hope to resume blogging regularly again soon. I’ll definitely be online to host next week’s Poetry Friday Roundup on May 9, which, ironically, falls on Mother’s Day weekend.

Hope you all had a good Poetry Month.

Happy May Day, Happy Lei Day!

xoxo

E lei kau, e lei ho ‘oilo i ke aloha

Love is worn like a wreath through the summers and the winters. Love is everlasting.

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another unplanned blog hiatus

April 4, 2014October 13, 2017 ~ jama ~ 33 Comments

Dear Friends,

Because of family health issues, I will probably not be posting for several weeks.

I will, however, continue to update the 2014 Poetry Month Kidlitosphere Roundup and visit your blogs as time permits. Wouldn’t want to miss all the Poetry Month goodness!

Meanwhile, I’ll wish you all an early Happy Easter in case I’m not back before then.

Be good, and enjoy your Spring. Mr. Cornelius will take charge in my absence (uh oh).

💚,

jama

xoxoxo

creativiTEA: cecelia levy’s exquisite paper art

March 18, 2014September 29, 2017 ~ jama ~ 24 Comments

Today’s spot of creativiTEA is brought to you by Swedish paper artist Cecelia Levy, who creates stunning three dimensional pieces with old book pages and glue, using a papier maché technique. Of her work, she says:

The choice of material is no coincidence. As a graphic designer and bookbinder, I have a strong interest in paper, typography, small details. Text and symbols are sometimes used as decoration, deliberately or randomly. The tactile experience is determined by the quality of the paper. I cherish the traces of the previous owners; dedications, notes, stains, and also the signs of time passing – discolorations, scratches, rust stains and holes after binding.

In my work I explore concepts such as time, memory, transience, traces, resistance and adaptability. Recycling and environmental aspects are important factors, but not the main purpose of my creations.

Isn’t it wonderful how she’s illuminating the personal histories of these old books by assigning them a new form? I like to think of her delicate and seemingly fragile paper cups and saucers as vessels for dreams.