Ficilta Braak's mother, Marie Denise Philius, scrubs pots and pans after dinner.

 I take a self-portrait in a mirror in the Philius home.

Inoson uses his machete to debark and square a log.  In background, on right,  Ficilta's father, Oleus Philius, holds his machete during a brief rest break.  Oleus often volunteers to help neighbors build their homes.

Marie Denise boils the head and legs of the goat carcass which process assists in the removal of hair.  Oleus is skinning the goat carcass in the background.  In order to be ready for the market by 8:00 a.m. the couple must begin this process at 5:45 a.m.  This all takes place in the courtyard of their home.  Behind Marie Denise is the kitchen building.

Oleus builds a table which will be sold at the market.

As the sun heralds the beginning of a new day, Marie Denise is helped by cousin Michlet in the removal of fine hairs from the goat carcass's head and legs.

Marie Denise offers all parts of the goat carcass for sale in the market.

Ficilta's younger sister, Joane, prepares a delicacy from the goat's blood.  She adds garlic, basil, lime juice, and green onions to the kettle.  Joane is concocting this in the kitchen.

Dear friends,

During the past several days I had the distinct privilege of hanging out with Ficilta's family as they went about their daily lives. I will be ever grateful to them for giving me this unique opportunity to observe and document, with my camera. a typical mountain family.  Her parents live in a small home in the mountains above the village of Verrettes.

I particularly was fascinated by how Ficilta's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Philius, worked in concert as they carried out the many tasks culminating in the sale of goat meat at the market.

I apologize for not having the photographs in the proper sequence.  I am still in the process of learning how to produce a blog.

Tomorrow I fly to Denver, CO.  I have thoroughly enjoyed being a guest for the past five weeks at son Tom, Ficilta, and Ryan's home in Verrettes, Haiti.  For the next week or so I will be a guest of daughter Susie and her family in Commerce City, CO.  After my visit with them, I will check into a monastery and then a hermitage in Colorado.

Blessings,

Larry