We are the World Blogfest - #WATWB Hmb#1 – Vitiligo …

 As I'm continuing on with interesting, positive ideas … I'd spotted this article, and having decided that it's my continuance #WATWB Hmb#1 post … I thought I'd better find out more … and am found lamentable.

Hmb #1

Martin Senkubuge, from Uganda, is a young very talented artist … particularly adept at painting skin tones … displays the beauty of every skin in his drawings, using art to fight the stigma that surrounds vitiligo ...

... he is a hyperrealism artist, some of his works are identical to the photography that inspires them.

An example of Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a skin condition, caused by lack of melanin pigment, which leads to white patches on the skin or hair …

… understandably it can cause considerable emotional distress, particularly if it develops during childhood.

Martin showing a sponsor his art piece of
Isaac Kyoyeta, an events manager, in Kampala

In Africa people with Vitiligo face the added burden of being seen as “cursed” or “bewitched” … rebuffed and with the likelihood of becoming isolated within their communities …

I was shocked to learn that Michael Jackson had Vitiligo … I'd no idea … but I don't spend my time reading about celebrities – I'll skip usually, occasionally scan, information if it catches my eye … I knew Jackson had skin problems – but had no idea why … shame on me …

Isaac Kyoyeta's 'portrait'

Senkubuge having realised (see story in article link), decided to find out more, and thus about Vitiligo …

This knowledge affected Senkubuge … he now researches more, before he makes a judgement about an aspect of life. (He was judged and found wanting, as I'd been ... on reading about the artist himself) …

Senkubuge's 'Barrister':
Charcoal, Acrylic, Fabric and
Sand on Canvas (2020)
This 73 year old barrister - too young
to retire! supports artists and fights
for the rights of the uneducated and 
less privileged in our societies.

In September 2019, he founded the Part of Us Initiative, a visual campaign of creating awareness about the Vitiligo skin condition and other humanitarian causes in Uganda, Africa and the rest of the world – it's on Facebook, which I don't do …

The main objective is to visually amplify and raise Vitiligo voices, fight against stereotypes and stigma, and embrace Vitiligo as a natural and normal skin condition … getting the word out will help.

Eve Atukunda, 31, who has had 
Vitiligo since a child, was drawn by
Martin Senkubuge for an exhibition
to tackle the stigma of the condition.

I'm sure we will all be more aware of that condition … and be more empathetic in our approach to life …

We are the World Blogfest

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In this magazine article - you can read Martin Senkubuge's story ... and find the colourful side of Vitigilo - Monitor Magazine, Uganda.

Goethe-Zentrum - Centre for Art and Media

In 2019, his Vitiligo art project won a small grant worth $560 from Goethe-Zentrum Kampala after his concept was considered as unique and brilliant.

Since 2020, he has been running a campaign of inclusiveness for the pride of people living with Vitiligo in Uganda.

His inaugural Vitiligo Art Exhibition, Part of Us, was held last year at Goethe Zentrum Kampala's office – it was a showcase of his Vitiligo Art Project.

Daily Art Magazine on Martin Senkubuge ... 

PS - an interesting aside ... Blogger put a few of your comments into spam - yes!  Strange but true ... thank you - they're rescued ... 

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

We Are the World’s Blogfest # 50: Misty Clips … stop glasses fogging when masked up …

 

He’s a 21 year old student, his career was (and still is) to become a pilot, Covid put that on hold … he started to work in a local (Eastbourne) supermarket …

 

MistyClips c/o their website

 

… as soon as he put his mask on his glasses fogged – what to do …  become an inventor! 

 

 

Alex Wickens - modelling his invention

He set to … developing these ‘MistyClips’  - with full instructions for fitting: slide your MistyClip onto the top edge of your face mask, pop on your mask and glasses … 

... then the site says …. ‘And breathe …. ’

 

… but I add to this – essential care-use instructions: the company is very careful about reminding us that MistyClips are less flexible than petroleum-based products – so handle with care to ensure longevity … 

I find this encouraging in this day and age … the instructions are very thorough.

 Produced using renewable resources and by-products from the food industry, including corn starch, coffee grounds and finely ground mussel shells - not an oil well in sight!

 

 

Banks of 3D printers

Local small networks of businesses are being helped with the support of the MistyClip’s entrepreneur – Alex Wickens and his associates.

 

 

They’re produced using a 3D printer … and are now being sent as far afield as the USA and Kuwait …

 

 

Rough Sleeping in London

They donate a percentage of their profit to Trelis, a Sussex-based (Eastbourne) charity … providing employment skills for homeless and unemployed people.

 

An amazing young local Eastbourne entrepreneur … Alex Wickens has defogged the opportunity to help others as his journey progresses. 

 

I’m very impressed by their very simple and clear website … if only everyone took this amount of care with the ‘instructions and notes’ when using these little clips …

 

That’s my simple #WATWB idea for this month … MistyClips – eliminating the fog on your glasses, once masked up, helps …

Healthcare workers …

Other professionals … eg food hygenists …

Anyone feeling the need to carry on wearing a mask … until we’re through this dreaded time …

Spring Green Misty Clip

 

We are the World Blogfest

In Darkness, be Light

 

 

Misty Clips website

 

Care of product …getting the best out of your MistyClips purchase …

 

Bournefreelive: Eastbourne details about Alex Wicken's MistyClips

 

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

We are the World Blogfest ... # 9 - Sound rather than Sight ...

The University of Victoria, Vancouver Island, British Columbia has a new course: The Anthropology of Sound - reading the article I noted that most of us do not use all our senses to their maximum ... 

Latin jazz clave percussion
sticks

... here in the article below Professor Alexandrine Boudreault-Fournier asks students to write down what they've seen since waking up ...= lots of things their eyes have absorbed ... 


... then what they've heard ... = few - traffic noise, chatter, bird song (perhaps) ...

Breughel (1618): Taste, Hearing and Touch

The article should be thought provoking for us, who are all enabled in most ways ... I know I don't utilise my faculties (perceptive and cognitive), as much as I, a human, am enabled to do ... please read:


Listen up: There's nothing like a sound education. 

Imagine feeling: The Dying Galation -
a 3rd century BC work of art

Damyanti in her WATWB post this month has highlighted Siddhant Shah, a Heritage Architect and Access Consultant, and his work with the visually impaired experiencing art ... another way of looking at how under-utilised we use our abilities ... 

Take some time out and smell the roses (not the right season in this hemisphere - I know!), stop and step aside to listen to the bird song, experience our food ... taste what's in each mouthful, look at our natural world and realise each part makes the whole of this bountiful earth, then that feel ... how often we reach out for a hug, a friendly touch ... unplug, relax and experience all the things we were born with ... 

Remember in our wonderful mind: all our senses ... and help all those not so enabled to experience them too ...

We Are The World - In Darkness, Be Light ... 

in our day to day life let us help others experience senses we take so much for granted ...

Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Knickerbocker Glories … and Rhubarb, Rhubarb, Rhubarb …

Knickerbocker Glories … what are they and where did they start … so many of you have asked or commented on Jenny’s Knickerbocker Glories … 

Jenny concentrating  on her caramel style
KGB - at The Starter Bar, Ilfracombe -
part 13 of our West Country Tour

I thought I’d better make sure your visit sends you away, after you’ve commented of course, salivating happily ….

Essentially it is a layered cream sundae that is served in a tall conical glass to be eaten with a distinctive long spoon … a speciality of 1920s Britain.

It can be made with ice-cream, meringue, cream … and flavoured appropriately … with jelly, fruit and fruit purees, or chocolate ice-cream topped with chocolate sauce, or nuts and topped with a honey sauce, or caramel sauce …

Chocolate or fruit

You name it – and a variety will be created specifically for you … especially today when we have so many flavours of ice-cream available.

A Sundae dish ... here a banana, icecream,
fruits and ... 

Their generic term seems to be Sundae … but certainly as kids we’d occasionally have a Knickerbocker Glory – to get the big chunky glass with the long spoon … or then the banana split-sundae glass …

Wiki link here

However this Wisconsin historical marker declares that the Ice Cream Sundae was invented here at Two Rivers … and who am I to disagree … but I’ll keep the Knickerbocker Glory here in little ol’ England …

Early season rhubarb ... so pink and pretty
- grown indoors in the dark!

The rhubarb season seemed to have come early this year … wonderful pink stems with light green leaves – they’re poisonous!  So only lightly cook the chopped stems with some dark sugar … serve with custard or cream …

Rhubarb is one of those very English plants – quite often found in gardens … and it provides stems for use all through the Spring, Summer and early autumn … a free food too …

A crown of rhubarb - growing outside

… then preserve it, or freeze it (once poached or cooked), ready for use in tarts, pies, pudding, crumbles (oh so delicious) – spice it up with mixed spice, or add some glacé ginger … it can be made into wine, chutney, jam, jelly, marmalade … and so on …

Mrs Beeton confirms some of these ideas! … she features in Wiki today … and advises that it is one of the most useful of all garden plants … I wish someone had told Mr TCP (my uncle) – when I asked if he’d got a rhubarb crown … back came the answer … oh no! – I buried it under the compost heap – I can’t stand the stuff … presumably my aunt concurred!  I looked longingly at the compost heap every time I passed!

Rhubarb and custard tart

Rhubarb is one of those plants that perhaps is synomous with school dinners – we had it at home … so were well used to having it for pudding (as we called it) … rhubarb fool a delicious mix of rhubarb with custard …

I have a few cookbooks as many of you will know ... and so searched for an interesting recipe – the Persian cookbook had one … “Rhubarb Stew” …

The book I used ... there was no picture of
Khoresht-e Reevâs

According to Margaret Shaida the Zoroastrian religion of ancient Iran, the human race was born of the rhubarb plant … this I can see will cause a few problems and questions … so I’ll move on … to other notes she gives us …

…. From ancient times rhubarb has been considered good for cleansing the blood and purifying the system.  When it arrived in England its medicinal properties were also highly valued … but only the last 100 years or so has it been consumed for pleasure ... when it was welcomed as the first fruit of summer – even though technically it is a vegetable.

... no photo - so I give you Rhubarb Crumble

So here the Persian dish “Khoresht-e Reevâs" is a pretty dish, the pink and red rhubarb affording a lovely contrast to the dark-green herbs.  Traditionally it is served in Iran to aid digestion - it is reassuring to know it is good for you!

I love Persian recipes … where there’s a hint of fruit in a meat stew as here … the dish consists of boned leg of lamb, chopped up, chopped onions, fresh parsley, fresh mint, some rhubarb and seasoning, which are added near the end – so the fruit doesn’t disintegrate …

Another KBG ... 

So here’s to a very pretty pink vegetable usually used as a dessert … and the ubiquitous Knickerbocker Glory or Sundae – depending on the style of dish … KBGs can be pink, white and creamy, chocolatey, toffee, caramel coloured … so many flavours now.

One always needs Cornish Clotted Cream with any dessert,
even with Knickerbocker Glories - this is a postcard

Well I shall at some stage try the rhubarb stew … I like the piquancy of the tart flavour with a rich lamb stew … 

... or how about oatmeal- coated mackerel with rhubarb sticks ... see link below ... 

... but for now I shall leave you drooling, or revolted at the thought of rhubarb per Mr TCP …

Mr TCP and the Star Inn - another pub!

A very early post ... when I wrote about asparagus and rhubarb

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's new season rhubarb recipes ... per The Guardian

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Mesothelioma Awareness Day - Heather Von St James who lives on with the silent killer of Steve McQueen ...

Who would think this vibrant looking woman has a life-threatening disease … her story is well worth a read and will give us all a greater understanding into Asbestos Induced Diseases.

Mesothelioma is rare … but there have been a few notable patients (c/o Wiki) … Steve McQueen, the well-known actor, was diagnosed after perhaps being exposed in the US Marines, or from the insulating material in the racing suits the drivers wore.

As Heather explains so poignantly, hers came about because she loved her father and wrapped herself up in his jacket when she was a youngster and he was home.  It manifested itself over 25 years …

Asbestos Mountains as drawn by William Burchell

I hope that you will read more of her journey at Mason’s post (and all the other participants) and particularly Heather’s own.

Blogging as we all know opens our eyes to so many things – we learn so much – and this is another facet … an appreciation of others’ illnesses and the conditions they have to cope with.

 

Fibrous Tremolite Asbestos
on Muscovite

We can get inspiration and admiration from their stories and raise awareness that each and everyone of us can be kind, considerate and thoughtful to others: we don’t know what’s going on – there could be a ‘Heather Journey’.

I gasp and cry as I read of people with major illness and of their families who remain positive, and intend to live their life to fulfilment – completely and utterly …

… this has to help with the future memories – of how they and their families never let the disease stop them – and how their get and go attitude gives impetus to Awareness days and sends out threads of knowledge to more of us.

 

Heather and Cameron

I wish Heather and her family all the very best and express my admiration for them … long may she live, before her inspirationally moving legacy kicks in.

Here is Heather’s site - and there is an amazing video by Heather, her husband and daughter ... very well worth a watch.

Here is Mason’s site: Thoughts in Progress - Mesothelioma Awareness

Our UK site gives a good overview – politics intervenes – I won’t pass my comment … but I am interested in seeing the narrative.  From this site can be found links to the Australian, Canadian and South African sites – while the main .com is the American web page.

 

Cameron, Lily Rose and Heather

So please spread Awareness of Mesothelioma to all who might be interested or need to be made aware of the disease.  It is a hidden killer …

Here is Heather’s wonderful blog post that puts “TheImportance of Support” into context … I can relate to this and can definitely think of another disease that took a small life, where this post totally resonates.

Please support Heather – you know I’m not good with social media aspects – but please all of you who are ‘experts: poor or good!’ … do what you can to spread the word.

Thank you,

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Hip op update ...

First thanks so much for all your thoughts,wishes etc - am slowly progressing: though computer sitting not really an option ....

Chatty Crone put this one up in November -
couldn't resist saving it for my time under the knife!

Can't keep my brain from working though ... also forgot my last post took me into my 7th year of blogging and some of the birthday wishes came from friends made all those years ago - seems incredible ...








One not so little lad kept tabs on my progress - guess who: Lenny Lee ... whom quite a few of us have known for nearly four years ... on my note on Sunday morning saying I'd woken up from the op ...





"hi my grandblogmom

hooray its done! now just rest and do what the doctor and nurses say. don't worry about emails or anything else. just get better. :)

i got you in my prayers.

...loads of love and soft and gentle hugs from lenny"

Also loved hearing via email from some of you ... and on the last post - asking for updates ... 

Thank goodness this 'serach' was not required!

All went smoothly ... I was last on the list ... came round 2.30 pm (it was Saturday!) and then had a minor reaction ... but once 24 hours had past - I was exhausted, but 'up and running' again.



Tuesday before lunch I was collected and managed the walk to the flat, and the 9 x 2 stairs up to the flat ... and from then on it's been adjusting to routine of pills, rest, exercise, fending for myself and answering the door bell .... 

For safety's sake I had and still have a
large indelible ink black arrow on
my left thigh!

Just walked outside and down the road a little - on crutches, but 'easily and carefully' done ... in the flat I'm on one stick and on occasions none ... small spaces and things to hang on to - but I'm being sensible.


Dressing on the wound came off on Monday and half is healing well, other half is catching up!  Lovely bruising that stretches down the leg ... but all healthy apparently ... 


Essentially I'm left to my own devices ... the nurse checked in 48 hours after I got home, and again for the bandage removal ... the occupational therapist came the next day, when I walked out briefly ... she is in fact coming again next week ...

Had some of these to welcome
me home ... 

But it's go slow, exercise and walk ... once the weather warms up I'll take myself downstairs and walk around in the Close (quiet dead end road) ... 


Back ache at night has been a nuisance ... and resorted to 'midnight feasts' at the hospital and here - but last night managed to stay put.


Thankfully very little pain - the leg is weight bearing ... I am taller on the left now - the right leg is much put out!! and those muscles will need to work: but all is well.

Used a zimmer in the hospital - came out
with crutches, and now have sticks

Went to hospital on a very frosty morning ... and on the Monday night/Tuesday morning we had snow ... so padded my way to the flat through that ... 


The wound is refurbished from the inside out, dissolving stitches, then final layer of skin is glued up - so no visit to the doctor to get staples out .... 


I've managed to do most things and have had some wonderful friends who've been in often and regularly to care and check up and ask what I needed ...  though, in fact, the fewer visitors the better, because I can concentrate on doing the essentials ... 

It's good to know Spring  is on its way

One third of way to end of first period - six weeks: is end of February ... 


Oh yes ... if you ask for two of something (fruits or veg) ... expect a packet of them ... and one of those is an accountant?!



I'd organised some frozen meals ... but was grateful for some plain chicken, leeks, carrots and potatoes ... and made "Chicken Soup for the Soul" ....... it had not occurred to me I might need 'invalid' food ... 

Homely food - Penne, sauce with fresh
vegetables

So - garbled update complete ... I'm off for a rest and no doubt some more pills - never ending! and exercises ... which a friend instilled were essential: as what I will achieve in these first six weeks are what will be with me for the next 1/3 of my life ... yes I intend to be around a while!


Thank you so much ... and remember I won't reply individually to comments - but appreciate them all ... 


I will check in on FB as life gets easier ... 


Cheers - Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories