The Holiday Ethnic Fair

Today YaYa bought me a ticket for the holiday ethnic fair at State Fair Park, where she was volunteering at the booth for the Polanki Women's Group.

Their booth featured many fine examples of Polish pottery and ceramics, nearly all of which were beyond the reach of my pocketbook at the moment.

I was surprised at both the scale and diversity of the fair. They were literally countries represented that I had never heard of, as well as representatives from nations on five continents (I didn't see an Australian booth, although I could have missed it.) I didn't photograph any of them until I was literally walking to the exit so this is but the smallest example of what there was to see.

Afterward, after I made her go along while I did a little necessary shopping, Yaya treated me to dinner at Luna's where I had huevos rancheros with chorizo.

Thanks for the invitation and the generosity YaYa!

Nie Mam Nic

My Grandma used the Polish phrase "nie mam nic." I'm told in Poland it means nothing more than the literal words "I have nothing.". But within the family, for probably a century, it means "I have nothing" as in I have no words, or nothing left to say; a statement of disbelief or shocked amazement, like you're disgusted by what just happened. It's use grew to include urging the end of an act before it got to that point.

 I took YaYa to this Polish grocer (A&J Deli) to get items for a cultural project at school. Despite the location it was clean, well organized, and worth a visit. The clerk tried to steer me away from this chrzan and onto a milder horseradish, but I didn't listen to her and I'm glad I didn't - it's so mild it barely cleared my sinuses!

Nie Mam Nic

Around my house I say "nie mam nic" - a Polish phrase from my Grandma. I use it, as she did, to mean "enough/stop it/done/be quiet/knock it off." Junie objects to this usage. 

"It means 'I have nothing' Dad, not ---- and ----."

Me: "It's an idiom. I'll use it any dang way I please."

Now, Marta M Sta-  can educate me as to whether that's strictly true or not, but regardless, as far as the discussion goes little girl, its nie mam nic.