Flag Day

There's two things a successful photographer should never do: try to duplicate Iwo Jima and have your subjects turn their backs to the camera. I think in this case we'll be given latitude for both.

I'm helping raise the flag for the Darshen school. This flag is representative of the relationship between the school and America. It is a gift from Jake who lives in Texas, and as the saying goes, "Everything's bigger in Texas." At the school they call him Big Jake, which I think is appropriate because of the big-ness of his heart.

The flag originally was to be hung on a standard within the school but because of its size, it now uniquely adorns the south wall of the upper hallway. Every visitor and every student can't miss it. Many thanks to Jake and Renee` for the tangible representation of this relationship.

P.S. The school principal requested an American flag during Jake's last visit. It was my privilege to deliver it. And, by the way, it did not fly over the Alamo.

Pre-Thanksgiving

By now, most of you have had or will have your big Thanksgiving meal for 2009. Since Albania is several hours ahead of you we have had our quiet Thanksgiving meal in the shadow of highrises on a dark, Tirana night. You probably will be within view of little Pilgrim statues holding their iconic basket of gifts from the fall harvest. The closest proximity to us are candles that we hope we don't have to light because of black out. Notice our 'turkey'. It's a chicken that rests squarely in a tin foil pan, a Kentucky casserole, and dressing made by our African guest are the only three semblences of a traditional feast. I might add there are very few festive moods to our Muslim background, no football games, no parades, no leftovers on Thursday night. Our only revel is in the fact that with little chickens there's little over eating.

From all of us to all of you, Happy Thanksgiving and be mindful of how good the Lord has been to us.

Tiana, David, and Cydil

P.S. It's easy to clean up when you eat the carry-out chicken directly from the pan.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

A lot of you will be going to Grandma's house this week. You'll get to share in all the goodies: Food, tradition, and family. It's a natural thing to want to be included in holiday family tradition. Grandmas make anything special, especially when families get together.

I've wanted to visit Grandma's house this week in the village of Vlashaj. Flora has garnished respect from me over the years because she lives on the high corner of the village and always monitored traffic, separating dogs from donkeys. She is a grandma, one who has made her family stronger in time of trouble, happier in times of sadness, and wiser when her knowledge guided the family through low spots. She will, without knowing it, stand over her family on this Thanksgiving.

Age has taken its toll. Every day from her little chair by the front gate she would wave or shake her walking stick to let you know that we'd better say "hi" and give her a hug or you would fall under the rain of strong Albanian phrases. Sadly, these days she's been reduced to the back kitchen to sit by the cooking stove and stays warm all day to help with her arthritis and diminished legs. I was brought over to her, she was told who was there to visit her and did the proper response that guests in Albania do, I bowed low, and then promptly gave her a hearty hug. The work that she's done in the village, the commission handed her to steer her family and the guidance that came from a much younger frame allows me to give this lady respect.

"Cheese" It

Cydil had the opportunity to bring much kaboom, flash and crackle to the village. It reminded everyone of the big explosion. Planters is so thankful to have Cydil's talent on board for a personal photo shoot for many of the inhabitants of the village. Most dressed up in their finest and we haven't seen that many teeth in a long time. We've got one great picture of model, Mandi, being photographed by Cydil being photographed by Mom. The light explosions were simultaneous and it looked like the fourth of July in the end of November in Vlashaj.

Great Week

Last week Planters hosted a team from Calvary Bible Church from Rutland, Vermont with two members from San Antonio, Texas. What a tremendous week it was. This team had several objectives for their time in Albania. There were special events for the children, women and men, and also several of the ladies spent time training several ladies in the village several crafts to start them on a new cottage business. The team members were Carol and Joyce, Len and Lynne, and Jake and Renee.