A Vision for the Dawn

Photo copyright Aji, 2015; all rights reserved.

As promised, Wings's latest is now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, and it's amazing. He finished something under two hours ago, just so that I could bring it to all of you here. I'm feeling covetous, but despite how beautiful it looks on (of course I had to try it!), it's meant to find a home elsewhere.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Shares are very much needed and appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2015; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

What Is the Value of a Native Vet's Life?

Photo copyright Jack Kato, 2015;
all rights reserved.

This is Jack. He and his wife, Amanda, are friends of ours.

They're on the other end of the country, which means that we can't be there right now to lend a hand in practical ways. But right now, they need support.

Jack is a Native vet. Forty years ago, he was sent to 'Nam to fight for a country that was busily treating the VietNamese the same way it treated his (our) ancestors. Sent to fight for a country that barely recognized his own citizenship. Sent to fight for a country that remains unwilling, and seemingly morally incapable, of ameliorating the damage it caused. And that includes damage to him personally, damage that has left him physically disabled and forces him to continue to fight the revenants of that illegal war on a daily basis.

A few days ago, he almost lost that battle permanently.

I'll tell you Jack and Amanda's story in some detail over the jump, but here's the immediate need: They are trying to raise $5,000 to cover expenses related to Jack's ongoing health problems and to Amanda's recent [life-saving] dental surgery, and to the many, many accumulated bills that continue to pile up while they advocate for vets, raise their adopted grandchildren, and try to survive.

Here's the GoFundMe page. The goal is modest, considering what I know they face on a daily basis. I've also seen online communities of which I am and/or have been a part raise far, far more than that, nearly at the drop of a hat. So I was appalled to see that as of this morning, of a $5K goal, only $5 (that's FIVE DOLLARS) had been raised.

We can do better, folks.

Kick in here. A thousand people giving the price of a latte (or a six-pack) covers it. A hundred people giving $50 covers it, too. We have some juggling to do; we're stretched beyond our limit already. But as soon as we can free up a little, we're in, too.

Now, come and learn about Jack and Amanda.

Little Firebird

Photo copyright Aji, 2015; all rights reserved.

Not the ballerina.

A beautiful, graceful, fierce little girl nonetheless.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2015; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

The Small Ones From the South

Photo copyright Aji, 2015; all rights reserved.

Their gifts are the same, but this year's migratory pattern is very different.



All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2015; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Jewels and Gems: A Snake In the Grass (Or a Serpent On the Green)

Photo copyright Aji, 2015; all rights reserved.

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's this weeks edition of our Jewels and Gems series. Today, it's a stone in the color of Summer and the pattern of Snake. Only one of the pieces shown in today's post remains available for purchase, the pair of earrings near the bottom. But if the cabochon shown at the top catches your eye and speaks to your soul (and believe me, it's amazing), he can do as he did for another friend recently, and make it a part of a unique piece all your own.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Shares are much needed and welcomed. And for those of you who might expect to see me around online today, chances are that you won't. I'm sicker than the proverbial dog, and moving really, really slowly through my massive to-do list. I'll be back around when I'm feeling marginally human again.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2015; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Immigrants, Unconsenting.

Photo copyright Aji, 2015; all rights reserved.

Now, they are family.

Their own, and ours.



All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2015; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.

Monday Photo Meditation: The Fruits of the Season In the Colors of Summer

Photo copyright Aji, 2015; all rights reserved.

Today at The NDN Silver Blog, it's a meditation on the fruits of the season, in all their colorful glory. I use the word "fruits" quite literally, since everything pictured has sustained us, body and spirit alike.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. As always, photos are available for purchase in any of the three usual formats; simply inquire via the Contact form. And, also as always, shares are much needed and appreciated.



All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2015; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.