Category Archives: Uncategorized

Film Review, “I’ll Be Around” (2012) — Я буду рядом

Posted on October 17, 2013 by maryangelis

An appealing lovable courageous heroine faces her own mortality. It’s a grand film tradition in Russia. It is in America too. “No Sad Songs For Me,” “Love Story,” “Beaches,” “Shadowlands,” “Terms of Endearment” — we still make them, and still … Continue reading →

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Commemoration Kutia (Кутья на память)

Posted on August 25, 2013 by maryangelis

A dish with sweets for the senses, and the soul: At church last night before Vespers there was a candlelight Moleben, a supplication service. This one was a memorial for a young man in Ukraine. After the chanting and incense … Continue reading →

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7.14.13 White Peony

Posted on July 14, 2013 by maryangelis

It was a clear hot summer day, just before sunrise. Walking from Winthrop to the Blue Line train at Orient Point, I jogged along through tall blond reeds under the flight path to Logan. Plane after plane loomed sounds and … Continue reading →

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6/15: Anybody’s Kitchen

Posted on May 27, 2013 by maryangelis

I was carrying bathwater to the porch when the phone rang. “It’s a case for Mary!” said Cashier Robin, calling from the Food Coop. “A family here needs a cooking teacher for their new diet. No sugar, dairy, wheat, nightshades, … Continue reading →

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4/22: God Willing: one small urban garden

Posted on April 21, 2013 by maryangelis

The neighbors were oh so not amused. They’d held down this Irish Catholic turf for three generations, on a street of houses with three floors plus attic and an asphalt driveway with a car or two. Each had a little … Continue reading →

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4/13: Bowed Psaltery

Posted on April 13, 2013 by maryangelis

The bowed psaltery had her first music gig today. My volunteer organization invited her to come entertain at the registration table for our annual meeting. First, the flyers. Flyers are good because when people ask “What’cha got there?” it’s nice … Continue reading →

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3.18: Lent (Великий Пост)

Posted on March 19, 2013 by maryangelis

A very small story, in honor of the first day of Orthodox Lent. In the year 1907 at Optina Pustyna Monastery, two twenty-year-old Sisters came to a cell deep in the forest to confess to Father Varsonofii, their spiritual elder. … Continue reading →

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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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