Spero VS

Spero A life explored through memories <img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4702/39841903681_c586159e97_z.jpg" width="480" height="640"> by Valerie Xanos [[Next|Introduction ]]

BLUE Pale skin. A cold [[blue|1947]] tinge underneath the whiteness echoed the pale blue of his eyes... so light they seemed almost colorless. Behind thick glasses there was a mischievous twinkle in those eyes. Never rosy, little Spero’s lips were a delicate blue. His white-blond hair was cut short, but a bit long on top so that it flopped over to one side.

POPS Spero: “[[Pops|Papouli]] hardly talks to me, but he sure does love George. George can play football and run fast. Me, I can’t run at all. I think that’s why Pop doesn’t like me. I sit and read. I like to think. I want to know how the world works, why things happen, how things happen. I guess that’s why I love science and history so much. But Pop doesn’t care about that, doesn’t care that I’m smart. He’s so proud of George, and I wish [[he liked me too|The Belt]].”

THE BELT George: “Since Spero was sick, we weren’t supposed to upset him. If I ever yelled at Spero or teased him, Pops would shout and chase me around the table with his belt, trying to hit me.” George pauses and grins, “He never caught me.” [[POPS|Pops]] or Node: [[PREPARING FOR A FUNERAL|Preparing for a Funeral]]

BROTHERS George: “Spero loved his chemistry set. I remember that. When we were boys, he played with it all the time. He was crazy about science and would create all kinds of chemical experiments. He also loved photography. He loved his cameras. [[Spero was always taking photographs.|The Boy Who Watched ]] He took this picture of me. Even though we were brothers, we were different. I loved sports. I played football and baseball. I was good at it. Once, [[Pop|Pops]] came to a special game. That day the coach didn’t put me on the field, even though Pop took off work just to see me. I was so mad, I quit the team.” (click-append: "picture of me.")[<img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4635/24427989427_01db63ee0a_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="IMG_0454"> George Xanos, photo by Spero Xanos]

THE NURSE 1947 Valerie: “ '[[Sam|Sam]], kids like you die when they are babies. It’s a miracle that you lived this long. A miracle that you should live to be here right now.' The nurse at Johns Hopkins told him this. Dad’s eyes would shine bright when he got to this part of the story. He now knew that he lived 14 years so that he could see the day when they’d figure out how to cut him open and [[fix his heart|The Surgery]]. It was Fate. I used to stare at the thick pink scar on his chest where they stitched him closed. That scar was a relic of the miracle."

ΟΧΙ Βασιλική: (mouseover-replace: "Βασιλική") [Vasiliki] “ ‘Your child is very sick, but we don’t know what is wrong.’ This is what the doctors told me. Then I took him to another doctor, and another, and another. They all told me the same, speaking slowly and loud as if I am dumb instead of from Ελλάδα(mouseover-replace: "Ελλάδα") [Greece]. I can read and write in two languages! Who are they to speak to me this way? ‘We cannot help him. He is not getting enough oxygen. He will not survive. He will die as his body grows.’ [“ΟΧΙ!”]<No1| I declared, glaring at them hard and determined. I know how dark my eyes can look. I wanted them to see this, that I do not accept their ignorance. They turned their backs, walking away. [“Οχι!”]<No2| I said again.” (mouseover-replace: "ΟΧΙ")[NO] (mouseover-replace: "Οχι")[No]

Dedicated to my Dad, Spero Xanos and his mother, (my Yia Yia) Vasiliki. They never gave up. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Greek Translations by - Andrianna Panayioutou Thank you to Chad Kellermann for his support and incredible advice on many readings and variations of this work. Thank you to Allen Turner for teaching Twine to a technosavage such as myself. Thanks to Tina Xanos and George Xanos for their memories. and Thank you to Zoe Xanos for her great writing advice to help me capture the moment. ...and the doctors who saved Spero, making so many other lives possible: [[Dr. Helen Taussig|Taussig Pic]] [[Dr. Alfred Blalock|Blalock Pic]] [[Dr. Vivien Thomas|Thomas Pic]] [[BACK TO INTRODUCTION|Introduction ]]

BALDY Spero: “Baldy was one of those overgrown neighborhood bullies, shaved head and clothes too tight. He’d taunt me whispering, ‘You’re gonna die’, then singing it loudly,’You’re gonna dieeeee!’ Baldy came from a rough and tumble home. His alcoholic father left him on his own for days at a time. When Baldy died from a burst appendix, he was alone. Later, when he was found sprawled out on his bedroom floor, I knew the furies had got to him. He didn’t know his prediction was his own end.”

BREATHE Panting, Spero stopped halfway up the stairs. Bent over he tried to breathe, Never (click-append: "Never ")[Enough (click-append: " Enough ") [ [[ Oxygen|Internode]] ] ] What kind of little boy can’t climb stairs? Can’t run and play?

KITSCH 1999 Valerie: "[[Dad|Blue]] was getting annoyed with me, 'Why are you taking those cheap things? They’re just more garbage, throw them out!' I was helping my dad clean out Vasiliki’s house. After [Yia Yia]<Grandma| died I wanted all of her strange little things. A broken tea cup, a set of brightly colored aluminum tumblers, an iridescent bowl, and of course the saccharine pastel miniature ceramics. 'I know Dad, they are kind of kitschy looking, but I like them. Why do you think Yia Yia kept these? When was she in Baltimore, Maryland?' 'Oh! She must have bought those when she took me for my surgery at Johns Hopkins' " (mouseover-replace: ?Grandma)[my grandmother ]

SAVING OUR DOOMED BLUE BABIES Her brother, [[John|John Metropulos Pic]], bursts in, waving a [[page|Article Pic]] he tore from a magazine. He’s a handsome looking devil with twinkling eyes and wearing an army uniform. [“Ξέρεις τι λέει αυτό;”]<UncleJohnE1| (mouseover-replace: ?UncleJohnE1)[“Do you know what this [says?!” ]<UncleJohn2|] (click-append: ?UncleJohn2)[["Ορισμένοι γιατροί στο Νοσοκομείο Johns Hopkins εφεύραν ένα τρόπο για να θεραπεύουν τα άρρωστα παιδιά. Αυτά τα παιδιά έχουν μπλε χείλη όπως ακριβώς και ο Σπύρος! Έφτιαξαν μια νέα χειρουργική επέμβαση για να γιατρέψουν την καρδιά τους. Μπορούν να γιατρέψουν την καρδιά του Σπύρου!"]<UncleJohnE2| (mouseover-replace: ?UncleJohnE2)[“Some doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital invented a way to cure children who are sick. Those kids have blue lips just like Spero! They invented a new surgery to fix their hearts. [They can fix Spero’s heart!” ]<UncleJohn3|]] (click-append: ?UncleJohn3)[ Vasiliki throws her hands into the air and shouts. All of her grief, her hope, and love is in that shout. John reaches out to place a hand on her shoulder, ["Η Vi έγραψε στον γιατρό. Το όνομά του είναι ο γιατρός Blalock. Είπε ότι στέλνει τον Σπύρο σε κλινική στη Βοστώνη. Η κλινική Mayo. Σας δίνω τα χρήματα. Ο Σπύρος θα γίνει καλά”.]<UncleJohnE3| (mouseover-replace: ?UncleJohnE3)[“Vee wrote to the doctor. His name is Dr. Blalock. He said to send Spero to the Mayo clinic in Boston for tests. I’m giving you the money. Spero will get better.” (click-append: "“Vee wrote to the doctor. His name is Dr. Blalock. He said to send Spero to the Mayo clinic in Boston for tests. I’m giving you the money. Spero will get better.”") [ <img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4595/39290957321_33aa8f5f13_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="IMG_0455"> [[ Spero|Hope]], Vasiliki, Aunt Vee 1947]]]

[Παιδί μου]<MyChild| Βασιλική:(mouseover-replace: "Βασιλική") [Vasiliki] "[Μετά από όλα αυτά τα χρόνια, ο Αγ. Σπυρίδων, απάντησε στις προσευχές μου.]<MyChild1| [Προσπάθησα να μην έρθω και τώρα βλέπω τι κάνατε.]<MyChild2| [Μας κάνατε να περιμένουμε.]<MyChild3| [Κράτησε τον Σπύρο μου ζωντανό. Τώρα οι καλοί γιατροί έχουν εφεύρει αυτή τη χειρουργική επέμβαση.]<MyChild4| [Ενα θαύμα.]<MyChild5| [Ένα θαύμα που θα σώσει τον γιο μου.]<MyChild6| [Θα καθορίσουν την καρδιά του και θα ζήσει!"]<MyChild7| Node: [[PREPARING FOR A FUNERAL|Preparing for a Funeral]] or return to [[A FIGHTER|A Fighter]] (mouseover-replace: ?MyChild)[My Child] (mouseover-replace: ?MyChild1)[After all of these years, Saint Spyridon, you have answered my prayers.] (mouseover-replace: ?MyChild2)[ I could not accept despair, and now I see what you did.] (mouseover-replace: ?MyChild3)[You made us wait.] (mouseover-replace: ?MyChild4)[You kept my Spero alive. Now the good doctors have invented this surgery.] (mouseover-replace: ?MyChild5)[A miracle.] (mouseover-replace: ?MyChild6)[A miracle that will save my son.] (mouseover-replace: ?MyChild7)[They will fix his heart and he will live!]

PREPARING FOR A FUNERAL George: “My parents took Spero to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. The doctors said that the surgery could work, but he had a 50% chance of survival. Spero wanted to do it. He wanted to be fixed. [[Pop|Pops]] didn’t believe Spero would survive the surgery. He told Ma, in front of Spero, that he was going to prepare the funeral. [[She went nuts|Go Home]], screaming at him to get out of the hospital. She told him to go home. He came back to Chicago and told me the same thing. I was just a kid, worrying about my big brother. I couldn’t believe he could say that. How could he think about a funeral when we just wanted Spero to get better?”

GO HOME Standing in the hospital room, Vasiliki is screaming at her husband, gesturing violently with her hands. “Φύγε απ’ εδώ! Πήγαινε σπίτι!” She is furious he would even think of preparing his son’s funeral. Here is Spero, laying in the hospital bed, waiting for the surgery that will save his life. Yet, his own father does not have faith that he will survive. “Δεν σε θέλω εδώ με αυτή τη σκέψη. Ο Σπύρος θα ζήσει!” Without another word, Nicholas Xanos walks out of the [[hospital|Johns Hopkins ]] room and does not return. (mouseover-replace: "Φύγε απ’ εδώ! Πήγαινε σπίτι!")[Get out of here! Go home!] (mouseover-replace: "Δεν σε θέλω εδώ με αυτή τη σκέψη. Ο Σπύρος θα ζήσει!")[I don’t want you here with this thinking. Spero will live!]

THE SURGERY Spero: "I’m waiting, lying here in the cold hospital room. Soon the nurses will take me to the operating room. Ma is sitting in the chair next to my bed. She keeps reaching out to touch my hand. It helps to know that she's here with me. I'm glad that she'll be here when I wake up from the surgery. She has a strange look on her face. I think she's trying not to cry. Ma is really emotional and she knows I hate it. Sometimes I tell her, 'We're not in Greece. Americans don't scream and cry so much.' It's embarrassing. I don't want to be nervous, so I'm reading a book. Dr. Taussig came to see me this morning. She is so kind. She told me that it will be alright. They have done a lot of surgeries and are successful. I'll wake up and never be blue again. I will be able to run and play like all the other kids. Dr. Blalock promised me too. He's famous, they say he is greatest surgeon in America. Everyone tells me that I am a miracle, so I just know this will work. I’m going to be ok.” [[INTERNODE|Internode]]

INTRODUCTION "SPERO" is a collection of interconnected memories centered around my father, Spero Xanos, and a poignant moment in his life. The stories are told in voices of various characters and a narrator in vignettes. Characters may be speaking from the past, or reminiscing from the future. We view the moment through their experience. This can move the center of focus from Spero to another character, yet they remain linked through thematic connections. The narrator provides a more objective perception of some memories. This work reads as a Rhizome, a 3-dimensional, multiple branching system rather than a linear, chronological narrative. The structure mimics how our minds access memories. The "root branches" may spread as their pathways connect to other memories, or they may go deeper as one explores a particular memory. As this is an interactive Hypertext work, the reader can choose different actions to follow through the memories on various pathways. Memory/root paths may be explored in any order. There is no beginning or end as we embrace the timeless tangle of memory, the ῥίζωμα. (mouseover-replace: "ῥίζωμα")[rhizome] [[NAVIGATION|Navigation of Memory Rhizome]] [[FAMILY RHIZOME|Family Rhizome]] [[THANK YOU|Thanks]] [[PROLOGUE|Ceramics]]

<img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4624/39200618354_58fc431b2c.jpg" width="409" height="500" alt="blalock"></a> Dr. Alfred Blalock

<img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4766/39012381655_53d54707a8.jpg" width="366" height="500" alt="helen taussig photo"></a> Dr. Helen Taussig

<img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4765/39200618114_ac5e3b15ec.jpg" width="348" height="500" alt="vivien photo"></a> Dr. Vivien Thomas

[[<img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4593/39247022601_6d6833208f_b.jpg" width="480" height="640">|close up article]] click article

[[John Metropulos|Saving Our Doomed Blue Babies 2]] <img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4588/39247023041_b99a5cd57e_z.jpg" width="480" height="640">

Gardening Greek Cooking Greek Baking Greek Traditions Reading and Speaking Greek Herbal Remedies Story Telling about Greek Vampires and Shape-shifters Embroidery Cross Stitch Crocheting Knitting Carpet Hooking Sewing Playing Cards Watching old movies Ferocity

<img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4635/24427989427_01db63ee0a_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="IMG_0454"> "My brother Spero took this picture of me. He loved his cameras, taking pictures of everything"

XANOS FAMILY RHIZOME Rather than the traditional tree, the familial relationships are presented as a Rhizome. Branchings and connections occur in ways other than just the binary splitting of parents and progeny. While you will be able to see who beget whom, you can also see that certain characters have connections that surpass time and space. <img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4702/40066589031_7f201851cb_b.jpg" width="1024" height="853" alt="xanos rhizome final"> Key characters: Spero Xanos = Protagonist Valerie Xanos = Spero's daughter Vasiliki Xanos "Yia Yia" = Spero's mother Angeliki Metropulos "Big Yia Yia" = Spero's maternal grandmother Nicholas Metropulos "Papou"= Spero's paternal grandfather John Metropulos = Spero's Uncle, Vasiliki's brother Vee Metropulos = John's wife George Xanos = Spero's younger brother Betty Metropulos = Spero's maternal aunt Nicholas Xanos "Papouli" = Spero's father Tina Xanos = Spero's wife Niko Xanos = Spero's son [[BACK TO INTRODUCTION|Introduction ]] [[RETURN TO INTERNODE|Internode]]

PROLOGUE <img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4644/25380279718_ea216509e7_z.jpg" width="480" height="640"> [[Miniature Ceramics|KITSCH]] with "Baltimore, MD" painted in tiny golden block letters. A pink fawn A blue kitten A pink horse 2 yellow vases 1 blue vase A pink cat Valerie: "As a child, I held them in my small hands, turning them over to look at the gold edgework decorating the pastel porcelain glazes. Arranging them into scenes on Yia Yia’s (mouseover-replace: "Yia Yia’s")[my grandmother's] shelf, sometimes I’d place buttercups into the miniature vases. I remember loving how the yellows matched."

1947 [Spero:]<YoungSperoBeach|(click-prepend: ?YoungSperoBeach)[<img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4689/24384583797_9f22641db3_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_0508"> ] “I’m 14 years old. Small for my age. People think I’m only seven or eight and talk to me like I’m a baby. Everyone worries about me. I see it in their eyes. [[If I walk too fast|Breathe]] I gasp for air. I feel like I can never get enough. I turn blue. Well, even more blue than I already am. The doctors say I’m going to die, but they’ve been thinking that for years. Everyone pities me and I hate it. I want to be strong. I want to run and climb like the other boys, like my brother George. Ma said he was born too early and she put him in the oven to keep him warm. She prayed to St. George and he got better. He got stronger. Why didn’t her prayers work for me? She keeps saying that I’ll get better, but I don’t know….” "My [[Aunt Betty|Betty]] drew this picture of me..." (click-append: "me...")[<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/158306997@N08/24384583867/in/dateposted-friend/" title="IMG_0507"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4728/24384583867_7f09ee90c4_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="IMG_0507"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>] Spero at 14, drawn by Betty Metropulos, 1947 - The Year of The Surgery

STRENGTH A delicate boy, small and pale, Spero raged. He wanted more than the pitying care he endured from those who meant well. He wanted to kick away at those confines built by worry and compassion. He wanted to be in charge of his own destiny. He wanted to run wild and have adventures, and never again thought of as weak. He wanted to be judged by success, not by the blue cast of his pallor. He dreamed of a life when the strength of his body matched the power of his will.

INTERNODE What do you do with a strong will? A curious mind? A playful spirit? When the body is Frail (click-replace: "Frail")[Stunted (click-replace: "Stunted") [ Blue (click-replace: "Blue") [Dying]]]? How does this child Grow (click-replace: "Grow") [Play (click-replace: "Play") [Live (click-replace: "Live") [Hope]]]? Rhizome Memory paths [[CLOTHESLINE|Clothesline]] [[THE CEILING|The Ceiling 1]] [[HORSES|Horses 1]] [[SAVING OUR DOOMED BLUE BABIES|Saving Our Doomed Blue Babies 1]] [[VASILIKI|Vasiliki]] [[FAMILY RHIZOME|Family Rhizome]] [[MEMORY RHIZOME|Navigation of Memory Rhizome]]

HEART Knowing he has been measured, and found lacking, Spero made promises to himself. He would not be defined by the deformed heart that turned him blue. He would not be defined by an impending death. This small boy, limited by his weakness, watched the world around him and began to [[measure IT.|Pops]]

FAMILY Spero inherited the loud passion and resilience of his Greek lineage. He listened to the family stories, following the thread of strength that ran through them all. Through sickness, starvation, and injustice, the Greek must face it all with boldness and ferocity. You never give up. Never.

THE BOY WHO WATCHED It was a perfect, sunny day. A mild breeze fluttered the leaves of the apple tree nearby. Spero sat on the porch, watching his brother George play street ball with some friends. The boys yelled and laughed, running back and forth in the game. Spero looked down at the book in his lap, opening and closing the cover. He loved reading because the stories could transport him to exciting adventures. Spero could pretend he was Heracles triumphing over a mythological monster. But today, stories weren’t good enough. He wanted real adventures. He wanted to run down the stairs and join his brother and the other boys. (click-replace: "It was a perfect, sunny day. A mild breeze fluttered the leaves of the apple tree nearby. Spero sat on the porch, watching his brother George play street ball with some friends. The boys yelled and laughed, running back and forth in the game. Spero looked down at the book in his lap, opening and closing the cover. He loved reading because the stories could transport him to exciting adventures. Spero could pretend he was Heracles triumphing over a mythological monster. But today, stories weren’t good enough. He wanted real adventures. He wanted to run down the stairs and join his brother and the other boys.") [Watching others did give Spero a certain advantage. He loved his camera. He took pictures of everyone around him. Usually they’d stop to pose, but sometimes he took pictures of people just doing things. Those were his favorites photos, when he could capture a moment. The photographs were observations from a boy who felt separate, always on the outside. He had the perception of the watcher who wanted to be a player. Seeing the world through a camera lens, Spero was in control. [[He determined what was seen and what was remembered.|Heart]] ]

BETTY Spero: “Aunt Betty is only a couple of years older than me, so she’s more like my sister. Since I spend a lot of time with YιαYιά, I hang out with Betty almost every day. She’s really quiet and shy. Betty sleepwalks and YιαYιά told me to never wake her when she is wandering through the house asleep. YιαYιά says it will make her go crazy. Betty is sensitive and fragile. I am treated like I am fragile, but really I’m mischievous. I create trouble with my antics, though no one ever yells at me. Betty and I are close. I understand what it’s like to be treated differently. She loves to draw, and she’s really good at it. She asked me to pose for her today. I sat very still for a long time.” (mouseover-replace: "YιαYιά")[Grandma Angeliki]

SAM Spero: “I hate my name. Spero. It’s too foreign. The kids at school make fun of me. No one can say it properly. Spyro (click-append: "Spyro")[ Sparrow (click-append: "Sparrow") [ Speeroo ] ] I told the nurses to call me Sam. It makes me feel American. It makes me feel normal.”

PAPOULI Valerie: "My Dad’s father, Nicholas Xanos, died when I was young. My brother and I called him Papouli, a Greek child’s way of saying Grandpa. We weren’t close the way we were with Yia Yia. Most of the time he was hanging out in the back of the house by himself. I remember that he was very quiet. He smelled of the cigars he smoked incessantly, leaving them to smolder in various ashtrays around the house. He was an enigma even to the family. He told multiple accounts of his life experiences. No one knew which story was true." My memories: [[PAPER SACK|Paper Sack]] [[BABY RUTHS|Baby Ruths]] (click-append: "PAPOULI") [ <img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4738/39247022991_f36a5b00da_c.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="IMG_0509">] [[INTERNODE|Internode]]

BABY RUTHS Valerie: "Papouli worked until his death from cancer at 85 years of age. Actually, the family suspected he was older, but as he gave several different birth dates, no one was ever quite sure. I remember that he worked evenings, and in the morning he gave me and my brother Baby Ruth candy bars that he said he took from work. Once, when I showed the candy to my father, he laughed and asked if I knew where Papouli worked. 'A candy store?' I ventured to guess. He laughed harder, 'No, Papouli works as an usher for a (text-style: "italic") [blue] movie theater.' This revelation prompted me to envision a movie filmed entirely with shades of blue." [[PAPOULI|Papouli]]

LIKE HIS FATHER My Dad would often argue with his mother, most times resulting in shouting. If I protested he’d say, “We are not fighting, we are talking. This is how Greeks talk!” One day I remember him getting louder and louder until my Yia Yia told him to shut up and go home. He left in a huff. I sat with her, trying to comfort her and telling her not to pay him any attention, “He always yells Yia Yia, it’s because he is Greek.” “Οχι!” she said. “It is because Spero is like his father!” I was surprised, as I remember my Papouli rarely speaking. “ Ο πατέρας του yelled all of the time. Shouted for every little thing. I never had a moment’s peace. He shouted day and night! You knew him when he was very old. He was just too tired to yell then.”

CLOTHESLINE Alone, five year old Spero sat on the back porch in the fading light. The porch was an old wooden structure three floors up. Spero liked being so high because he could see far. He watched people in their yards, playing and doing chores in the warm summer evening. (click-replace: "Alone, five year old Spero sat on the back porch in the fading light. The porch was an old wooden structure three floors up. Spero liked being so high because he could see far. He watched people in their yards, playing and doing chores in the warm summer evening.") [“I’m bored,” he thought. (click-replace: "“I’m bored,” he thought.")[Looking up at the clothes hanging on the lines criss-crossing above him, he watched the fabric wave back and forth in the air. Struck with an idea, he ran back into the house. Rummaging through his mother’s junk drawer, he found what he was looking for and stepped back onto the porch. Pulling a single wooden matchstick from the box, he snapped it across the side just as he’d seen his mother do when she lit the stove. (click-replace: "Looking up at the clothes hanging on the lines criss-crossing above him, he watched the fabric wave back and forth in the air. Struck with an idea, he ran back into the house. Rummaging through his mother’s junk drawer, he found what he was looking for and stepped back onto the porch. Pulling a single wooden matchstick from the box, he snapped it across the side just as he’d seen his mother do when she lit the stove.")[It sparked a flame on the first try and he felt a surge of accomplishment. Spero carefully held it under a blue shirt hanging at the end of the line. He watched the tiny flame sputter, then catch on the corner of the shirt. (click-replace: "It sparked a flame on the first try and he felt a surge of accomplishment. Spero carefully held it under a blue shirt hanging at the end of the line. He watched the tiny flame sputter, then catch on the corner of the shirt.") [The little flame grew, spreading across the fabric like a living thing. Spero stood transfixed as the flames crossed from one piece of clothing to the next. The glow of reds and golds melted and morphed as the flames grew larger, until the entire line was afire. (click-replace: "The little flame grew, spreading across the fabric like a living thing. Spero stood transfixed as the flames crossed from one piece of clothing to the next. The glow of reds and golds melted and morphed as the flames grew larger, until the entire line was afire.")[“Hey! HEY YOU THERE! Stop, STOP THAT!” (click-replace: "“Hey! HEY YOU THERE! Stop, STOP THAT!”")[The shouting broke Spero’s reverie and he looked over the railing down at a man standing in their yard. Spero smiled and waved to the man below. “What are you doing!” shouted the man who then broke into a run across the garden. The man leapt up the stairs, taking several at a time in great strides. Spero had never seen someone move so fast and thought it was impressive. The man quickly got to the top and reaching up, tore the burning clothes line down, stomping to put out the flames. (click-replace: "The shouting broke Spero’s reverie and he looked over the railing down at a man standing in their yard. Spero smiled and waved to the man below. “What are you doing!” shouted the man who then broke into a run across the garden. The man leapt up the stairs, taking several at a time in great strides. Spero had never seen someone move so fast and thought it was impressive. The man quickly got to the top and reaching up, tore the burning clothes line down, stomping to put out the flames.")[ “WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!” the man shouted, “You could have burned the whole building down!” (click-replace: "“WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!” the man shouted, “You could have burned the whole building down!”")[Spero was surprised at such a reaction, the fire had been so beautiful, he didn’t really think about what else would happen. He realized now, (click-append: "He realized now,")[ that he just might be in trouble. (click-append: "trouble")[ [[INTERNODE|Internode]] ]]]]]]]]]]

ΞΥΛΟ (mouseover-replace: "ΞΥΛΟ")[WOOD] In 1920 Αγγελική Μετρόπουλου (mouseover-replace: "Αγγελική Μετρόπουλου")[Angeliki Metropulos] traveled across the seas to America with her children, Βασιλική(mouseover-replace: "Βασιλική")[Vasiliki], Κωνσταντίνος (mouseover-replace: "Κωνσταντίνος")[Gus], Χρήστος(mouseover-replace: "Χρήστος")[Christos], and Γιάννης(mouseover-replace: "Γιάννης")[John]. Betty was born later after they settled in Chicago. However, before Angeliki came to America, she waited in the tiny mountain village, Αλβανή Kερασσιά (mouseover-replace: "Αλβανή Kερασσιά")[Albani Keressia], while her husband worked hard in Chicago to save enough to bring them all there. Unlike most Greeks, Angeliki lived alone with her children. She did not have the ubiquitous extended family, for her father and brothers had disowned her when she ran off and secretly married Νικολάου Μετρόπουλου. (mouseover-replace: "Νικολάου Μετρόπουλου")[Nicholas Metropulos] A village girl was expected to marry an older man chosen by her father. Angeliki was not one to accept this. [[Angeliki and Nicholas|Jewelry]] shared a deep love that could not be broken by any tradition. Angeliki did not mind this isolation. She was a tough village woman, and though petite in body, was large in will and [[strength|Wood 1]].

THE MOUTSA A grave insult to any Greek. It tells the person that they are worth nothing, and is unendurable.

HORSES Summers were a favorite time for Spero, for he spent them with his γιαγιά and παππού (mouseover-replace: "γιαγιά and παππού")[grandmother and grandfather]. Angeliki and Nicholas Metropulos were loving and hard-working people. They paid very special attention to their grandson, Spero. Παππού made his money, like many Greek immigrants, selling fruit and vegetables from a horse-drawn cart in the streets of Chicago. Often he’d take Spero along for rides. One day, after a morning of selling their wares, they stopped at home. Spero was only eight years old and extremely small for his age. Παππού (mouseover-replace: "Παππού")[Grandfather] told him to stay put and not to touch the reins or horses. He would only be gone a moment and Spero must be a good boy. Spero nodded and watched Παππού walk through the back door of the house. Sitting there, Spero felt bored; he had a thought. What if he held the reins, only for a little bit? After all, he knew how to do that, he watched Παππού everyday. He reached down and picked the reins up with both hands and then, just like Παππού, he smacked the horses on the rump calling [[out|Horses 2]],

Βασιλική Ξένου(mouseover-replace: "Βασιλική Ξένου") [Vasiliki Xanos] <img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4727/24384584197_a0706dfffb_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="IMG_0499"> Vasiliki in her kitchen, photo by Spero Xanos [[A FIGHTER|A Fighter]] [[BLAME|Blame]] [[YIA YIA'S GARDEN|Yia Yia’s Garden 1]] [[HONEY CURES EVERYTHING|Honey Cures Everything]] [[INTERNODE|Internode]]

BLAME Vasiliki: “No one understands what is wrong with Spero. Why is he so pale and blue? Why will he not grow? Why does he struggle to breathe? The women in the family and neighborhood [[blame me|Resentment]]. They say that I am a bad mother, that I should not be working. But who will provide for the family?! My husband cannot keep a business. He works different jobs, but it is not enough these days. I am strong like η μητέρα μου.(mouseover-replace: "η μητέρα μου")[[[my mother|Wood]]] I work hard to make sure my family is fed! But it is never enough for those σκυλιά. (mouseover-replace: "σκυλιά")[bitches] They try to turn τον Σπίρο μου(mouseover-replace: "τον Σπίρο μου") [my Spero] against me. I see them hugging him and whispering that I do not care for him enough. They say that I neglect him, make him sick. They talk behind my back. They will not say it to my face because they are afraid of my curses. I will curse them anyway.”

RESENTMENT 1999 Valerie: "My Dad and I were hanging out in my kitchen, talking. He was reminiscing about his mother. She had recently passed away and we were missing her. I think he needed to work through some old feelings. 'I always resented Ma for working. My aunts used to criticise her for it. They told me she should have stayed home with me because I was sick. They said that she didn’t feed me enough, neglected me. They’d then feed me treats.' I remembered my Yia Yia telling me about the judgment passed down on her. It made me angry, so chauvinist, so nasty. 'Dad,' I said, 'why don’t you see it as a positive? Your mother worked tiring jobs in the factories. Times were lean during The Depression and she provided for you and cared for you. She was tough. She didn’t give up even though the doctors told her it was hopeless. She fought for you to live.' My Dad looked pensive for a moment, then said 'You have a good point.' 'Besides,' I added, 'She never neglected you. She cooked for you and took care of you well into adulthood. You lived with her until you were thirty-two!' Dad laughed and said, 'You got me there!' " [[VASILIKI|Vasiliki]]

A FIGHTER Vasiliki was a woman who [[didn’t listen|Oxi]] to "experts" who told her that her firstborn son was going to die. She prayed to [[Agio Spyridon|My Child]] to save him, naming her son after the saint to seal the deal. She waited 14 years, never giving up hope for Spero. She didn’t give up even when her second born son was [[born prematurely|The Oven]] at home. [[VASILIKI|Vasiliki]]

YIA YIA'S GARDEN I Valerie: "It is a hot, sunny summer afternoon. Sitting under the pear tree in Yia Yia’s garden. I am surrounded by fruit trees, flowers, herbs, and growing vegetables. Some are planted in neat rows, but some grow haphazardly like in the woods. This is my favorite spot, where the garden is more unruly. Nearby are apricot and [[apple trees|Honey Cures Everything]]. I listen to the 'plop, plop' as fruit fall and hit the ground. I breathe deeply and smell the sharply sweet fermented scent of rotting fruit laying half buried in patches of grass and buttercups. Most are gnawed by squirrels. Yia Yia walked around earlier, salvaging the fruits that hadn’t been ruined. Gathering them in her apron, she offered me a perfect, bright orange apricot before carrying her harvest to the kitchen. I bite into it, savoring its sweet and musty flavor. Yia Yia told me that the apricot trees grew after she tossed some pits into the yard. I imagine her talent to be like witchcraft, some magical power she has over plants and the earth. Getting to my feet, I wander through the plants over to the βασιλικό (mouseover-replace: "βασιλικό") [Basil], and pinch their leaves to rub on my wrist for perfume. Yia Yia showed how me to do this, telling me 'βασιλικό is the queen of all of the plants, we use it for cooking and medicine. Its sweet smell will cheer your heart.' " [[It’s my job to pluck the flower buds|Yia Yia's Garden 2]]

HONEY CURES EVERYTHING Valerie: "I was standing next to the apple tree when the bee flew into my hair. I panicked when it got caught up in the long, tangled curls. Screaming, I danced crazily, swatting at my head. I only managed to get myself stung. I ran crying into the kitchen to show Yia Yia. She quickly scraped the stinger out with her thumbnail, then grabbed a giant jar of raw honey. Dipping her finger in it, she smeared it across the raised blister. Yia Yia used honey to treat most childhood accidents and ailments. If I skinned my knee, she smeared it with honey. When I burned my finger helping her bake kourembiethes, she smeared that with honey too. Sore throats meant tablespoons of honey all day long. 'This is what we do in the old country,' she’d say. She taught me about all of the plants in the garden, not only for cooking Greek meals, but their healing properties as well. Now that I’m grown, I make use of that village wisdom for my own family. My arm is tattooed with the herbs that she grew, and a little bee to represent the honey she used to cure everything. This is how I honor her" [[VASILIKI|Vasiliki]]

HOPE Spero: “I am very weak now and have trouble walking. Uncle John read about this surgeon, Dr. Blalock, who can save me by fixing my heart. Up until now, all the doctors we have seen said that there is [[no cure|Baldy]]. But, Dr. Blalock has changed that. There is a cure! Uncle John is the best! He gave money to Ma so she could take me to this clinic in Boston. The doctors here have done lots of tests. It made me tired. The doctors told Ma that I was perfect for the [[surgery.|Preparing for a Funeral]] They spoke in whispers, but I heard them anyway. They told her that I only have three months to live if I don’t have the surgery. [[I guess we got here just in time!”|Johns Hopkins ]]

JOHNS HOPKINS Spero: “I’m in the hospital. The building is huge and fancy. It looks like a museum. Portraits of famous doctors are hung all over the walls and there is a giant statue of Christ by the doorway. I know it made Ma happy to see that statue. She crossed herself when we walked past it. I have a bed in a small room. There is a chair and cot for Ma. The room is cold, so the nurse gave me a bunch of blankets to keep me warm. I like looking out at the city through the window. I’ve never been away from Chicago, and now I got to visit two cities, Baltimore and Boston." (click-replace: "I’m in the hospital. The building is huge and fancy. It looks like a museum. Portraits of famous doctors are hung all over the walls and there is a giant statue of Christ by the doorway. I know it made Ma happy to see that statue. She crossed herself when we walked past it. I have a bed in a small room. There is a chair and cot for Ma. The room is cold, so the nurse gave me a bunch of blankets to keep me warm. I like looking out at the city through the window. I’ve never been away from Chicago, and now I got to visit two cities, Baltimore and Boston.")[Johns Hopkins is a very important hospital. The nurse told me that the doctors here discover and invent cures that the whole world needs. My surgery is one of them. Doctors couldn’t perform surgery on the heart before. Dr. Blalock figured it out even though no one believed he could do it. Well, Dr. Taussig told me that she knew he could, so at least she believed in him. I’ve never met a female doctor before. She is the one who figured out what is wrong with hearts like mine. She is an expert in the hearts of Blue Babies. I feel so lucky to be here. (click-replace: "Johns Hopkins is a very important hospital. The nurse told me that the doctors here discover and invent cures that the whole world needs. My surgery is one of them. Doctors couldn’t perform surgery on the heart before. Dr. Blalock figured it out even though no one believed he could do it. Well, Dr. Taussig told me that she knew he could, so at least she believed in him. I’ve never met a female doctor before. She is the one who figured out what is wrong with hearts like mine. She is an expert in the hearts of Blue Babies. I feel so lucky to be here.")[Ma sits with me most of the time. She keeps telling me that it will be okay, that this is what we’ve been waiting for, my chance to be cured. Earlier, Ma got mad at Pop. He’s afraid that the surgery won’t work. She yelled at him and sent him home. I hate when they fight, but I think Ma is right. The doctors asked me if I wanted the surgery. I said yes, definitely yes. I want to be strong and healthy, so that means fixing my heart. There is no other choice for me. If I don’t do it, I’ll die. I want the surgery. When I get better, no one will ever pity me again. [[I’ll be a normal kid!|The Nurse 1947]]]]

Never (click-append: "Never ")[Enough (click-append: " Enough ") [ [[ Oxygen| ]] ] ]

Never (click-replace: "Never")[Enough (click-replace: "Enough") [ [[Oxygen| ]] ] ]

SAVING OUR DOOMED BLUE BABIES Βασιλική's (mouseover-replace: "Βασιλική") [Vasiliki] kitchen. It is spring 1947 and a bright, breezy day. The curtains move a little at the open window and you can see what’s left of a winter garden outside. A short, plump woman with brown eyes and dark curls, Βασιλική is making dinner after a long day of work in the factory. The warm smell of oregano, olive oil, and a baking chicken fills the air. She’s kneading dough on a big formica and wood table in the center of the large kitchen, her strong arms flexing as she rolls and pushes the glob of dough. In a small bedroom off of the kitchen, young Spero is in bed, reading a book. [[Suddenly|Saving Our Doomed Blue Babies 2]]

(text-style: "smear") [Get out of the room] (text-style: "blur") [Get out of the room] (text-style: "blurrier") [Get out of the room] (text-style: "bold") [Get out of the room] (text-style: "bold") [ [[Get out of the room|test link]] ] (text-style: "italic") [Get out of the room] (text-style: "bold") [(text-style: "italic")[Get out of the room]] (text-style: "shudder") [Get out of the room] (text-style: "blink") [Get out of the room] (text-style: "fade-in-out") [Get out of the room] (text-style: "strike") [Get out of the room] (text-style: "mark") [Get out of the room] (text-style: "rumble") [Get out of the room] (text-style: "mirror") [Get out of the room] (text-style: "upside-down") [Get out of the room] (text-style: "underline") [Get out of the room] (text-style: "regular") [Get out of the room] (text-style: "plain") [Get out of the room]

THE CEILING I looked around, startled. I heard the words clear as day, but couldn’t see anyone. (click-replace: "I looked around, startled. I heard the words clear as day, but couldn’t see anyone.")[(text-style: "italic")[(text-style: "bold")[ [[‘Take your brother and get out of the room!’|The Ceiling 4]] ]]]

THE CEILING She never really hit me, but the look in her eyes scared me enough to know better than to disobey. George was just a baby, sitting in his high chair and playing with his food. I was only three or four, but felt like a big boy when she told me to watch my little brother. Ma left the room and I heard her close the door. Her clunky shoes made loud sharp sounds as she went down the stairs. Then it was quiet. I was kind of bored, but determined to do as I was told. Swinging my feet back and forth, I sat on the kitchen chair waiting. (click-replace: "She never really hit me, but the look in her eyes scared me enough to know better than to disobey. George was just a baby, sitting in his high chair and playing with his food. I was only three or four, but felt like a big boy when she told me to watch my little brother. Ma left the room and I heard her close the door. Her clunky shoes made loud sharp sounds as she went down the stairs. Then it was quiet. I was kind of bored, but determined to do as I was told. Swinging my feet back and forth, I sat on the kitchen chair waiting.")[I got a funny feeling in my stomach. It grew quickly, and I felt like I should be scared, but I didn’t know why. (click-replace: "I got a funny feeling in my stomach. It grew quickly, and I felt like I should be scared, but I didn’t know why.")[[ [[‘Get out of the room.’|The Ceiling 3]] ]]]

THE CEILING The voice was louder and more insistent. Where was the voice coming from? No one else was in the apartment. As the seconds passed, I grew more frightened. My heart was beating so loudly! Ma told me not to leave my chair. I knew if I disobeyed, I’d get into trouble. But, it was hard to resist the panicked feeling in my belly. I wanted to jump up and run. I gripped the chair seat and sat very still, listening... (click-replace: "The voice was louder and more insistent. Where was the voice coming from? No one else was in the apartment. As the seconds passed, I grew more frightened. My heart was beating so loudly! Ma told me not to leave my chair. I knew if I disobeyed, I’d get into trouble. But, it was hard to resist the panicked feeling in my belly. I wanted to jump up and run. I gripped the chair seat and sat very still, listening...")[ [[‘GET OUT OF THE ROOM!'|The Ceiling 5]] ]

THE CEILING I jumped up and pulled George out of his high chair. I wasn’t quite tall enough and it took all of my strength, knocking over the chair. I couldn’t pick him up, so I dragged him across the floor as fast as I could. Pulling him through the doorway, I dragged him into the front room. Just then there was a loud rumble and...(click-replace: "I jumped up and pulled George out of his high chair. I wasn’t quite tall enough and it took all of my strength, knocking over the chair. I couldn’t pick him up, so I dragged him across the floor as fast as I could. Pulling him through the doorway, I dragged him into the front room. Just then there was a loud rumble and...")[ [[BOOM!|The Ceiling 6]]]

THE CEILING The air was filled with white dust. I couldn’t see and started coughing. Ma came bursting through the door, screaming, ‘SPERO! GEORGE! Where are you?! What happened?!’ She grabbed us and held us tightly, crying and shaking. As the dust settled we looked through the doorway to see that the entire ceiling had caved in. The kitchen floor was covered in huge chunks of plaster.(click-replace: "The air was filled with white dust. I couldn’t see and started coughing. Ma came bursting through the door, screaming, ‘SPERO! GEORGE! Where are you?! What happened?!’ She grabbed us and held us tightly, crying and shaking. As the dust settled we looked through the doorway to see that the entire ceiling had caved in. The kitchen floor was covered in huge chunks of plaster.")[I couldn’t see our chairs or table, they were buried in the [[rubble."|Brothers]] ]

[[“HIYA!”|Horses 3]]

HORSES Those horses must have known it wasn’t their master driving for they took off at a dead run. The cart bounced wildly as the horses flew down the alley going faster and faster. Spero held on for dear life, terrified he would fall off. Suddenly, he saw his παππού running swiftly along the side of the cart. Παππού grabbed hold of the front of the cart and swung himself into the seat. Snatching the reins he pulled hard with all of his might, leaning far back from the strain of it. The horses stopped mere feet from the dead end of the alley, just short of a building. Heart pounding and body shaking, Spero looked up tearfully at Παππού. He thought for sure that he’d be yelled at. Παππού turned and wrapped his arms around Spero. He held his grandson tightly and spoke quietly about how Spero must never do that [[again|Wood]]. (mouseover-replace: "Παππού")[Grandfather] (mouseover-replace: "παππού")[Grandpa]

THE CEILING Spero: “ ‘I must go downstairs for a moment. Be a good boy, and watch your little brother. Do not move from this chair or you will get ξύλο.’ Ma waved her hand back and forth menacingly. (mouseover-replace: "ξύλο.")[ [[the stick.|The Ceiling 2]] ]

PAPER SACK <img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4637/39247023121_278cc5ba13_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="IMG_0501"> Vasiliki (Yia Yia) with Valerie and Niko, photo by Spero Xanos Valerie: "My little brother Niko and I were sitting in the front room with my Yia Yia, the only light coming from the flickering T.V. Never forgetting the hardship of living through The Depression, Vasiliki was frugal. She rarely turned on the lights, and it made the house dark and spooky at night. Suddenly,from the shadowy room behind us we heard a low groan, then longer and louder [[moaning|Paper Sack 1]].

Alone,five year old Spero sat on the back porch in the fading light. The porch was an old wooden structure three floors up. Spero liked being so high because he could see far. He watched people in their yards, playing and doing chores in the warm summer evening.

PAPER SACK We turned to see our Papouli emerging slowly from the inky darkness, feet stomping and hands held straight out in front of him like Frankenstein’s monster. To make his entrance even more terrifying he wore a paper sack over his head with holes cut out for eyes. Niko and I shrieked blood-curdling screams, and rushed to our Yia Yia’s chair for safety. As Papouli continued his monster’s march forward, Yia Yia released a torrent of loud Greek, shouting at him and waving her cane madly in the air as if in promise of a good beating. Emboldened by her fight, Niko and I ran at Papouli pretending to kick and punch the 'monster.' (click-replace: "We turned to see our Papouli emerging slowly from the inky darkness, feet stomping and hands held straight out in front of him like Frankenstein’s monster. To make his entrance even more terrifying he wore a paper sack over his head with holes cut out for eyes. Niko and I shrieked blood-curdling screams, and rushed to our Yia Yia’s chair for safety. As Papouli continued his monster’s march forward, Yia Yia released a torrent of loud Greek, shouting at him and waving her cane madly in the air as if in promise of a good beating. Emboldened by her fight, Niko and I ran at Papouli pretending to kick and punch the 'monster.'")[ Soon he tired of the game and retreated quietly to his back room. (click-append: "back room.")[ [[PAPOULI|Papouli]] ]]

“Γουρουνι! (mouseover-replace: "Γουρουνι")[Pig] Δεν χρειάζεται ο σύζυγός μου να μιλήσει για λογαριασμό μου.” (mouseover-replace: "Δεν χρειάζεται ο σύζυγός μου να μιλήσει για λογαριασμό μου")[I don't need my husband to speak for me] [[and...|Wood 3]]

ΞΥΛΟ (mouseover-replace: "ΞΥΛΟ")[WOOD] Angeliki rushed up to hit him hard on the head. She smacked him hard again, and he began to run. Angeliki chased him through the village hitting him on the head as many times as she could until he collapsed on the road, hands up to ward off blows as blood streamed down his face and dripped into the dirt. "Κυρία, Συγγνώμη! παρακαλώ σταματήστε! Σας παρακαλούμε! Θα σας δώσω οτιδήποτε!" (mouseover-replace: "Κυρία, Συγγνώμη! παρακαλώ σταματήστε! Σας παρακαλούμε! Θα σας δώσω οτιδήποτε!")[Madam, Pardon! Please stop! Please! I will give you anything!] cried The Teacher. Angeliki lowered the log, clenching it tightly at her side, and said calmly, “το άλλο μου σάκο σιταριού”(mouseover-replace: "το άλλο μου σάκο σιταριού")[my other sack of wheat]. “Φυσικά, βέβαια, αμέσως η κα.” (mouseover-replace: "Φυσικά, βέβαια, αμέσως η κα")[Of course, of course, right away Madam] Off he ran to get the sack of wheat. The villagers laughed and unceasingly teased The Teacher who underestimated the fearsome Angeliki. Not able to bear the shame, he transferred to another village. [[INTERNODE|Internode]]

ΞΥΛΟ (mouseover-replace: "ΞΥΛΟ")[WOOD] Angeliki was known for making beautiful vests out of sheepskin and would sell them to the other villagers. It was a way for her to provide for her family during those years of poverty. One day the new teacher, who was from Athens, came to her and ordered one of those vests. The agreed price was two sacks of wheat. When the vest was finished, Angeliki sent her son Gus to fetch The Teacher.(click-replace: "Angeliki was known for making beautiful vests out of sheepskin and would sell them to the other villagers. It was a way for her to provide for her family during those years of poverty. One day the new teacher, who was from Athens, came to her and ordered one of those vests. The agreed price was two sacks of wheat. When the vest was finished, Angeliki sent her son Gus to fetch The Teacher.")[The Teacher stood outside in the dusty yard, holding the vest up in the light. He nodded his approval, “Πολύ καλά!, πολύ καλά” (mouseover-replace: "Πολύ καλά!, πολύ καλά")[Very good, very good] he said. Angeliki smiled with pride. The Teacher then handed her a sack of wheat and turned to walk away. “Κύριε!” (mouseover-replace: "Κύριε!")[Sir!] called out Angeliki, “Κύριε, έχετε ξεχάσει συμφωνήσαμε σε δύο σάκους σιταριού.” (mouseover-replace: "Κύριε, έχετε ξεχάσει συμφωνήσαμε σε δύο σάκους σιταριού")[Sir, you have forgotten we agreed on two sacks of wheat] The Teacher turned slightly and [[flipped his hand up in the air behind him|The Moutsa]], “Πήγαινε στο σύζυγό σου”, (mouseover-replace: "Πήγαινε στο σύζυγό σου")[ Oh, go tell your husband] and continued to walk away. Angeliki calmly reached down with one hand to gather her skirts, and with the other she reached for a large log from the firewood pile. Brandishing it in front of her, Angeliki [[snarled|Wood 2]],]

YIA YIA'S GARDEN II Valerie: "It’s my job to pluck the flower buds off the dandelion plants so that we have tasty leaves for cooking. Yia Yia told me that if I let the flowers bloom, the leaves will become woody and bitter. I walk over to the rows of dandelion plants, searching for new buds. I snap off a few tiny flower heads and toss them to the side. I look up to see the neighbor glaring at me over the fence. 'Why do you grow weeds in your garden? Were you so poor in your backwards country that you had to eat weeds! Don’t you know any better?! Those dandelions will go to seed and ruin my lawn!' I stand, frozen to the spot, afraid to say anything. My eyes fill with tears and I look down at the ground, embarrassed to let her see me cry. The side door slams open and Yia Yia stomps furiously down the stairs. 'Don’t you yell at my granddaughter!' Yia Yia walks up to the fence and continues to shout a mixture of Greek and English at the woman. When Yia Yia threatens to smack her, the woman gives up and walks back into her house. I love watching my Yia Yia defend me, wishing I had the same fiery courage." [[VASILIKI|Vasiliki]]

[['Uuunnnggghhhh! UUUNNHHHHHHH!'|Paper Sack 2]]

THE OVEN Valerie: "Once, my Yia Yia showed me how she saved George after he was born 3 months early at home. She re-enacted it for me. She wrapped that teeny baby up in a blanket and placed him on a pile of more blankets nestled on the open door of the oven, turning it on to its lowest setting. (click-append: "setting") [ (As a little girl, I had always imagined that she put baby George in a roasting pan and then stuck him in the oven like a chicken dinner.)] The doctors said that’s what saved his life. Vasiliki said he was saved because she prayed to St. George."

NAVIGATION of MEMORY RHIZOME Clicking highlighted words can: - open a new link for a connected memory. - reveal additional parts of a memory. - reveal an image - lead to a different character's view of the same moment. Mouseovers can: (marked by dotted underline) - translate Greek to English THE INTERNODE (text-style: "italic") [An internode is a section of the rhizome that sends roots downwards or new growths upwards.] This serves as a hub around which the memories are organized. You can choose from five pathways. Other memories that link thematically to the Internode stories will lead you down new Rhizomatic paths. At the end of each memory "root" or pathway, you will be able to return to the Internode in order to explore new paths. There are options to "jump" from one root path to another at certain "nodes" in order to explore thematic connections. These nodes may be labeled as a link option or highlighted click link. The Internode is the access point to return to an original root path. FOR HELP IN NAVIGATION OF MEMORIES AND RELATIONSHIPS OF CHARACTERS: The Internode will also allow you to return to the “Family Rhizome” or "Memory Rhizome" links by clicking the title at the bottom of the window. The Family Rhizome provides a sense of the relationships between the characters. The Memory Rhizome serves as a diagram of the system of memories and their relationships to the characters, themes, and related memories. These diagrams can help the reader to understand the characters and the reading structure. Be sure to hit the "back" button to be able to continue where you left off. In the upper-left corner of each screen there are "back" & "forward" buttons which allow you to return to a vignette to re-read, explore new links, or move to the next vignette. [[RETURN TO INTRODUCTION|Introduction ]] [[RETURN TO INTERNODE|Internode]] MEMORY RHIZOME DIAGRAM <img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4678/26178224958_6046c1dc5f_b.jpg" width="1024" height="820" alt="Memory Rhizome">