This post is to let the members know about my efforts to gather some money to donate towards the relief of our Muslim brothers and sisters of Myanmar. I have sold several of my paintings and painted cards, to people in town and around the country.
A big thank you to a few members who have sent me personal emails and others who have called me personally, to encourage me and boost my morale up.
I have had a great response of monetary donations from my Christian friends on my personal blogs… to the tune of almost $1000. .
Many friends from my little town, after reading my post on the social media have sent me checks of several hundreds. I am so grateful for every dollar that I am getting. God willing, by the end of next week I will close the column and send the money out to the Islamic Relief USA.
Again, thank you for your interest and encouragement in my efforts. Your support through words has been great.
Zakiah

I am sorry that I keep harping about these people of Myanmar who are being mercilessly butchered, raped, murdered while they are running away from the Military atrocities, and whose homes (entire villages) are being burnt. I have been thinking these past few weeks as to how I can help them in their misery. Finally decided that I would sell my paintings and my poetry book and send them 100% of what I get (minus) the shipping), to an established organization which is very good in helping these deserving people. I am posting my link here, so you can see the paintings.

I am not a professional artist and will never be one. I know many of my friends are better artists than I could ever claim to be. There are paintings and blank greeting cards. I have sold some of my paintings for $75 and more. I would like to sell the paintings for $75 to $100, but am willing to come down some if anyone is interested. The cards usually go for $5 a piece.
If anyone is interested in buying please contact me on my email address. I am posting a picture of the front cover of my book in case anyone is interested in buying that too. The book costs $20. {{ Xanga is not allowing me to post my book cover. You can google my name and look for Stray Thoughts/Winged Words for the title of the book.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1671684676183477.1073741848.100000258829526&type=1&l=38163eb839

Thank you for your kind attention to this urgent matter.

ZSA.

Eid—The Holiday.

Posted on September 3, 2017 by Zakiah

Yesterday the Muslims of the world celebrated the Eid al Adha, The Holiday of the Sacrifice, commemorating the sacrifice of Prophet Abraham’s obedient response to God’s order of sacrificing his son. This sacrificial agreement by the prophet of course is rewarded by finding a slain lamb instead of his son. The Muslims all over the world celebrate this event by offering a similar sacrifice of a lamb/sheep/camel or cow.

This event coincides with the pilgrimage called Hajj. Several million Muslims gather in Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform this once in a life time requisite of Islam. Those who have already done The Hajj, or have not gone on the pilgrimage, celebrate the day with prayers at the mosques and getting together with other Muslims and friends and sharing meals.

Yesterday everyone got together here in our home. Usually I have a huge spread with different American and Indian dishes. Due to the set back of my health, the kids didn’t want me to do anything at all. I decided that instead of Indian food, I would get beef tenderloin and bake it, and told the kids to bring a dish to go along with that. However, M’s widowed sister and his brother who live in St. Louis came over the day before; she had brought several Indian dishes along with her.

I got a six pound tenderloin and slow baked it in the oven. Saadia brought a fantastic salad with avocados, almonds, cucumbers, and mixed greens and she made a wonderful light dressing of balsamic vinaigrette. Shelley brought a pasta with pesto sauce, and a most delicious potato casserole. There were cakes and brownies and I had made a typical Indian dessert of vermicelli in cream with slivered almonds.

My sister in law’s son and his wife drove up in the morning in their Lotus car. That was an eye candy to behold! Wish I had taken a picture. In all, I had about 14 or 15 people. We just spread out all over the house and deck, with our plates, and had a wonderful time.

In other news, I am doing better with health. The cardiac rehab is going good, and today I even took a walk outside to Saadia’s home… two blocks. Got a glass of cold water there, and returned home. Felt good.

I took three pictures and saved them to my documents. I am not able to bring them out so I can post them here. Sorry about that.