The Music Woman

Today I wasn't feeling very well. I didn't want to do a lot of manual labor, so I took out my recorder and started playing music that is learned by heart. People came by to hear me play a small selection of music. When you go a long time without electronics you become thankful for whatever crappy music you hear. I am not a seasoned musician. I only know beginner level music. I can play chopsticks (on a recorder? Yes with a little adaptation). I can play a few nursery songs as well. Mary Had A Little Lamb, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.  Normally no one would care. BUT SINCE NO ONE HAS ELECTRICITY my level of music playing was acceptable.  Someone asked if they could play my recorder. That's when I packed up and left. NO WAY is that person or any other person getting their grubby hands on my recorder. 

From YouTube account chopsticks on recorder. 

The Story Teller

With the stories from my water proof binder I am able to entertain the local families. I have memorized many of the stories so that I may leave my binder hidden. Many times I read a variety of stories from various sources. Sometimes certain groups will ask for certain stories, only.  One group will want to hear Aesop's fables only. Those are the parents who want to make sure their children know the realities of our new situation.  They view that as the most important education right now.

Others want to hear only the parables or passages from the Bible. This group prays constantly for salvation to GOD. I also am prayin for salvation to GOD.  

Yet, another group comes to me to learn silent/stealth communication. They pay me to teach them morse code and semaphore (... --- ...) (🎌🚩). I teach them to read it like learning to read a new language; single syllable words with family letters. This way it reinforces learning the letters then the words. 

Fairy tales. I recite fairy tales to the small children. It's the current version of child care. The parents will come with their children to watch me sing nursery songs with hand movements. These parents come with their own snacks for their children and a change of diaper as well. During this time we talk about what can be done to improve our situation. Most of the parents are women at this time. There are a few men who come. For one reason or another they have no mother figure to care for the small child. 

When the parents and small children come together the adults feel a relief. They know they aren't alone. This time gives them a sort of down time. Many have older siblings who come along as well. While the nursery songs may be too immature they appreciate not having to do HARD MANUAL LABOR. They often come and fall asleep during the sessions.  

The parents, after story time, get together   and share a little potluck.  Everyone brings what they have. Sometimes a parent who had something before will suddenly have nothing to share.  Every once in a while someone will try and mooch off the group. When that happens there are arguments between the parents. The mooching parent will argue a starving child.  The other parents will counterpoint their children are starving, as well. So it has been agreed upon that a parent without food will have to support and work the group in one form or another.  We have a lot of parents working now than contributing to a potluck. Very soon the potluck won't work anymore.