Author Archives: maryangelis

About maryangelis

Hello Readers! (= Здравствуйте, Читатели!) The writer lives in the Catholic and Orthodox faiths and the English and Russian languages, working in an archive by day and writing at night. Her walk in the world is normally one human being and one small detail after another. Then she goes home and types about it all until the soup is done.

The White Ship (Белый пароход /Ак кеме) Film Review

Posted on February 14, 2013 by maryangelis

The White Ship (Белый пароход — Kyrgyzstan, 1975, Dir. Bolotbek Shamshirev) is based on the novel by Chinghiz Aitmatov. This heart-wringing little movie gem works a similar palette as The Color of Paradise (رنگ خدا) from Iran — Nature, trees, birdsong, … Continue reading →

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2/9 Still Life: Arlington National Cemetery

Posted on January 31, 2013 by maryangelis

Is that the bugle? I sit up and listen. Sure enough! I throw off the blankets and leap off the couch, running to the balcony to hear it. What a view! There’s the Washington Monument on the misty rose horizon. … Continue reading →

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1/15/2013: Steppin’ Out

Posted on January 13, 2013 by maryangelis

Feedback from Reader Rachel: This is very endearing, but I can not even IMAGINE where you ended up, or how. Next time I am giving you directions myself! _______________________________________________________ Rachel’s open house is 6:00 to 8:00. We’re all invited. It’s … Continue reading →

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12/25: Near-Hymn for Viola

Posted on December 25, 2012 by maryangelis

At our Catholic church, the liturgy committee was ready to be relevant for the Now Generation. In the early 1970s, they sponsored some progressive touches. Some innovations even raised eyebrows and heated debate at the local bakery, where the congregation … Continue reading →

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12/22: Liftoff

Posted on December 22, 2012 by maryangelis

The hospital had an old mental health annex. You could get there walking uphill from the commuter rail, through oak trees and a footbridge over the river and across the main road. The annex had high narrow windows and echoing … Continue reading →

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11/22: Bell for the Feast-Day (Праздничный колокол)

Posted on November 10, 2012 by maryangelis

When it comes to spiritual things, there are two popular views. 1. Life is working out the way I want. Therefore, God (karma, The Secret, fill in the blank) really likes me! 2. Life is harsh, and people behave badly. … Continue reading →

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10/14: Thanksgiving. Winthrop Beach, MA

Posted on October 14, 2012 by maryangelis

Thanksgiving Day, 2004. “There’s just the one bus for today,” frets the driver. “Goes around both the routes.” “Both scenic routes for the same low fare?” I tell her. “What’s not to like!” Her troubled look brightens right up. “You … Continue reading →

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8/29: Soviet Russian Chechen Kyrgyz Uzbek Film: Пошли в кино!

Posted on August 26, 2012 by maryangelis

Watching films at work is a great way to make a living. I did for five years, laughing and crying through movies, writing reviews for K-12 teachers on our department website, and showing the films in schools. I made my … Continue reading →

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9/25/13: Platinum

Posted on July 31, 2012 by maryangelis

In the dog realm, she thinks of her classmate as a white Russian borzoi wolfhound: high-float walk, horizon eyes, gracious temper until a first glimpse of wolf crosses his sights. Then he’s gone, snowstreak to the distance. As dog breeds … Continue reading →

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7/31: The Carrot-Chopping Prayer

Posted on July 8, 2012 by maryangelis

The house was a plain white clapboard, built in 1930 give or take, insulated with a layer of horsehair embedded in the plaster. At $250 per month, my studiolette was a cozy work/sleep room lined up with a smaller kitchen … Continue reading →

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