Three Indians
....As promised, here is the translation of last quarter's Yiddish story (Thanks to Mel Oshins.)
Once upon a time there were 3 Indians - the father, Geronowitz, the mother, Pocayenta, and the daughter, Minnie Horowitz. One day Minnie comes home and says, "Momma I want to get married."
"Good it's time, you're already 16 years old, you are an old maid."
"Who is your boyfriend?"
"Oh momma did I get a guy. He is handsome and strong."
"What is his name?"
"His name is Sitting Bullvon."
"And what kind of a future does he have?"
"Oh, he has a great future. His father is Crazy Horse, (Mishuggene Ferd) the chief of the Blackfoot tribe. (Shvartz-fuss)"
"Good, we'll have a big wedding." "OH! MY GOD!"
"What's the matter?"
"I have trouble."
"What kind of trouble?"
"The Teepee is not big enough to hold all the relatives & guests at the wedding."
Pocayenta yells to Geronowitz, "Get off your ass and bring me a Buffalo."
"Why do you need a Buffalo?"
"With the meat from the Buffalo I can make a Buffalo stew and with the skin I can make the Teepee larger and I can invite the whole world to the wedding."
Geronowitz leaves and one day passes, two days pass, three days and there is no Geronowitz. After a week, Geronowitz comes home with nothing in his hands.
"Idiot! Where is my buffalo?"
"You and your Buffalo Stew! I have both of you in hot water!"
"Why? What is the matter?"
"The first day I saw a Buffalo, not good enough for the stew and not big enough for the tent. The second day I saw another Buffalo, big enough but with a mangy skin. Such an ugly Buffalo I have never seen before. One more day, I found a Buffalo. Beautiful, Fat enough. Big. A perfect Buffalo!"
"So? What happened?"
"What Happened? I went to carve up the Buffalo, I looked in my bag and you know what? What a numbskull I am! I had taken with me the Dairy (Milichidik) Tomahawk."
[Sounds much better in Yiddish.]
I'd like to thank those who have sent in donations to help offset some of the expenses I incur with this project. The September mail response envelopes pleasantly brought donations from some first timers in addition to the regulars. To all donors I am extremely grateful. Support was up 33 percent for (the calendar year) 1997 when compared to 1996. In 1996 I received $825 and in 1997 you donated $1105.
The cost of printing each issue is about $200.00. The cost of postage is about $165.00. The cost of envelopes, toner, computer supplies and phone calls is about $245 a quarter. The cost of the web site is $75.00 a quarter. My approximate annual cost - if I publish four issues is about $2700 and about $2100 for three issues. These costs do not include special mailers, additional research expenses (which can be very high) or the cost of coordinating a reunion, which in the past has eventually paid it's own way (actually it made a slight profit both times). The profits forwarded to me from the reunions have helped offset some of these costs. If you haven't helped with expenses regularly and enjoy receiving these newsletters, would you be so kind as to think about it's value to you and your family and send in a little something (preferably in US funds). If you care to, add a little note of encouragement to share with all - or even an article about your family. Send a family photo from your last gathering and I'll make you famous.
Thanks and best wishes in 1998.
This newsletter's goals are to: · Maintain an archive of family history and photos · Analyze and report on research · Yearn for knowledge of our heritage and to educate · Organize genealogical information and publish quarterly · Foster family friendship & interest in family research · Furnish Family Tree on request |
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