{"id":1402,"date":"2025-08-27T16:00:02","date_gmt":"2025-08-27T16:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost:8080\/wordpress\/?p=1402"},"modified":"2026-01-23T10:46:37","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T10:46:37","slug":"my-mother-loves-windows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/?p=1402","title":{"rendered":"My mother loves windows"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"1402\" class=\"elementor elementor-1402\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17a3ef6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"17a3ef6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19411d1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"19411d1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\">\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"1834\" class=\"elementor elementor-1834\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e395bc e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2e395bc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7fd6e20 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"7fd6e20\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-218b8459 elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"218b8459\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5a156724 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5a156724\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b2327fe elementor-widget elementor-widget-raven-site-logo\" data-id=\"4b2327fe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"raven-site-logo.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"raven-widget-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"raven-site-logo\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"raven-site-logo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<picture><img alt=\"Florence Katono \" data-no-lazy=\"1\" src=' https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Logo-removebg-preview.png '><\/picture>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ce62c17 raven-nav-alignment-end elementor-widget__width-initial main-layout-horizontal pointer-none submenu-anim-fade raven-dropdown-stretch mobile-breakpoint-mobile raven-nav-menu-align-center submenu-position-bottom elementor-widget elementor-widget-raven-advanced-nav-menu\" data-id=\"5ce62c17\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;submenu_indicator&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;fas fa-angle-down&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;fa-solid&quot;},&quot;full_width&quot;:&quot;stretch&quot;,&quot;mobile_layout&quot;:&quot;dropdown&quot;,&quot;submenu_opening_position&quot;:&quot;bottom&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"raven-advanced-nav-menu.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Menu Toggle Button -->\n\t\t<div class=\"raven-adnav-menu-toggle\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"raven-adnav-menu-toggle-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"toggle-button-custom\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-bars\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Main Menu -->\n\t\t<nav data-layout=\"horizontal\" class=\"raven-adnav-menu-main raven-adnav-menu-horizontal  \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-5ce62c17\" class=\"raven-adnav-menu\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"menu-item\" data-width_type=\"default\" data-submenu_pos=\"center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\" class=\"raven-link-item raven-menu-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"link-text\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"link-label\">\n\t\t\t\t\tHome\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"menu-item\" data-width_type=\"default\" data-submenu_pos=\"center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/?page_id=33\/\" class=\"raven-link-item raven-menu-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"link-text\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"link-label\">\n\t\t\t\t\tThis is me\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"menu-item\" data-width_type=\"default\" data-submenu_pos=\"center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/?page_id=41\/\" class=\"raven-link-item raven-menu-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"link-text\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"link-label\">\n\t\t\t\t\tShort Stories\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"menu-item\" data-width_type=\"default\" data-submenu_pos=\"center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/?page_id=2072\/\" class=\"raven-link-item raven-menu-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"link-text\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"link-label\">\n\t\t\t\t\tLets Connect\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t<!-- Mobile Menu -->\n\t\t<nav data-layout=\"dropdown\" class=\"raven-adnav-menu-mobile raven-adnav-menu-dropdown \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"raven-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-mobile-5ce62c17\" class=\"raven-adnav-menu\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"menu-item\" data-width_type=\"default\" data-submenu_pos=\"center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\" class=\"raven-link-item raven-menu-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"link-text\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"link-label\">\n\t\t\t\t\tHome\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"menu-item\" data-width_type=\"default\" data-submenu_pos=\"center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/?page_id=33\/\" class=\"raven-link-item raven-menu-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"link-text\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"link-label\">\n\t\t\t\t\tThis is me\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"menu-item\" data-width_type=\"default\" data-submenu_pos=\"center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/?page_id=41\/\" class=\"raven-link-item raven-menu-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"link-text\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"link-label\">\n\t\t\t\t\tShort Stories\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"menu-item\" data-width_type=\"default\" data-submenu_pos=\"center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/?page_id=2072\/\" class=\"raven-link-item raven-menu-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"link-text\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"link-label\">\n\t\t\t\t\tLets Connect\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4326532f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4326532f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ff592dd elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-raven-search-form\" data-id=\"2ff592dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_skin&quot;:&quot;full&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"raven-search-form.full\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<form class=\"raven-search-form raven-search-form-full\" method=\"get\" action=\"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/\" role=\"search\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"raven-search-form-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"raven-search-form-button raven-search-form-toggle raven-search-form-button-svg\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-search\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M505 442.7L405.3 343c-4.5-4.5-10.6-7-17-7H372c27.6-35.3 44-79.7 44-128C416 93.1 322.9 0 208 0S0 93.1 0 208s93.1 208 208 208c48.3 0 92.7-16.4 128-44v16.3c0 6.4 2.5 12.5 7 17l99.7 99.7c9.4 9.4 24.6 9.4 33.9 0l28.3-28.3c9.4-9.4 9.4-24.6.1-34zM208 336c-70.7 0-128-57.2-128-128 0-70.7 57.2-128 128-128 70.7 0 128 57.2 128 128 0 70.7-57.2 128-128 128z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"raven-search-form-lightbox\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"raven-search-form-close\" tabindex=\"-1\">&times;<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<label class=\"elementor-screen-only\" for=\"raven-search-form-input\">Search<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t<input id=\"raven-search-form-input\" class=\"raven-search-form-input\" type=\"search\" name=\"s\" placeholder=\"Search...\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/form>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4592993b elementor-widget elementor-widget-raven-button\" data-id=\"4592993b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;turn_to_popup_action_button&quot;:&quot;no&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"raven-button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"raven-widget-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"raven-button raven-button-widget-normal-effect-none elementor-button raven-button-text-align-center raven-button-link elementor-animation-none\" href=\"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/?page_id=2087\">\t\t\t\t<div class=\"raven-button-overlay\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"raven-button-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"button-text-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"raven-button-texts-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"button-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"raven-button-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBooking\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-18b4b9e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"18b4b9e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a781fe elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"7a781fe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7fecd02 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7fecd02\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3281c40 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"3281c40\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a1b5951 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a1b5951\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a3298c1 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a3298c1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f3f2889 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"f3f2889\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac258d9 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ac258d9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeIn&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1002\" src=\"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-08-20-at-1.56.28-PM.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1229\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f3283fc e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f3283fc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-770e0c0 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"770e0c0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInRight&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">My mother loves windows<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27189ab elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"27189ab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc4e6d3 elementor-drop-cap-yes elementor-drop-cap-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bc4e6d3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;drop_cap&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Every home she\u2019s ever lived in, she finds her spot \u2014 one window, preferably facing the road. That becomes her special place. She leans there, prays there, and chases away demons she didn\u2019t invite. She talks to her sisters there too. Endless hearty conversations until they laugh and cry at the same time.From the laughter, I can tell if she is talking to Auntie Joy, Margaret or Molly. She laughs most with the former.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e1ca135 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e1ca135\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Back then, I didn\u2019t understand how anyone could find joy in that but these past few days, I\u2019ve found my own window on the 34th floor.<\/p><p>I sat in gray couch snuggled a mustard yellow cushion eagerly waiting for Chicago to rise. And rise it did \u2014 at 5:00 a.m., with shy reluctance of someone wearing overnight makeup. The veil of fog lifted slowly, revealing skyscrapers like sleepy giants.<\/p><p>And then came the train \u2014 Chicago\u2019s long, metallic snake \u2014 slithering past in synchronized hisses, sometimes two trains sliding past each other without ever touching. It reminded me of Namumira, my childhood home, where we sang our hearts out to the train until it wiggled its belly out of sight.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1c00a88 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1c00a88\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c80f63b\" data-id=\"c80f63b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5839911 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5839911\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The roads here crisscross like spider webs.The cars keep turning right, and every time they do, my heart skips. I\u2019m used to driving on the \u201cleft\u201d side \u2014 right hand steering. Here, it\u2019s the other way round. The cars like many things in America are big Limousines are not for weddings they are for business as usual, Lincoln, Ford, huge beasts.<\/p><p>The neighborhood is&#8230; virgin. Nobody sneaking into anyone\u2019s house. Not that I\u2019d know which house belongs to whom, but a window can tell you things even walls won\u2019t admit.<\/p><p>The streets are smiling in colour. Flowers singing songs I am too busy to hear; petunias, hydrangeas, and some stubborn purple ones whose names still escape me. On the contrary, evenings are chilly, we have been needing to wear light sweaters.<\/p><p>The streets are neat and permissive.<br \/>A lot has changed. A lot hasn&#8217;t.<br \/>The tattoo baths are still on vogue. I\u2019ve spotted tattoos of lions, birds, full quotes, and abstract maps. My favorite so far: \u201cIt is what it is.\u201d a resigning statement, something you say when you have no control\u2014 like when your husband sires a child with his mistress, and your in-laws invite you to the naming ceremony. You bite your tongue and smile through your teeth: \u201cIt is what it is.\u201d I wonder what might have inspired her to write that on her body forever.<\/p><p>Tattoos are like secrets hiding in plain sight. Some sneak out like shy gossip. Others sprawl all over bodies like rebellious spaghetti.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c8229b3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c8229b3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The streets are louder at night sirens and bikers announcing an already visible night. The sun is celebrated with some men walking bare chested. Their brown curly chest hair needing to be warmed by a gentle sun. My eyes want to mind their business but I do not stop them from seeing what they should not. Even if it&#8217;s summer time, a season of wildness, the sun remains muted in Chicago. The women wear their shorts with confidence \u2014 some denim, most \u201cbam-bam\u201d \u2014 their butt cheeks daring the breeze. Nobody tells them to dress properly because properly is defined by the owner of the body not mwe ba stakeholder. To each their own. This is the land of freedom expressed how each one sees fit. <br \/>I shall wear mine too \u2014 my shorts, not my cheeks. Maybe throw in a few holes for flair. But I\u2019ll spare the sons of Adam the full gospel.<\/p><p>There are as many restaurants as there are streets. We went to one that asked for a reservation something I am yet to get used to because hunger makes no reservations. It just shows up.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8e777b4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8e777b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Leaving my wallet and phone on tables felt very liberating something I would never do in Kampala. I have been out with friends eating stake. Cows do not walk as much as their citizens. The meat is tender you\u2019d think the cows here go to yoga instead of walking. Red, the colour of fresh blood layers meat like lightly worn lipstick. Even when I asked for well done, the meat was still raw, raw cow.<\/p><p>I have been eating things my ancestors may not be happy with. Sandwiches, sea food and salad with fancy names Cous Cous ( Kus Kus). Americans have baptised their food fancy names panini, bagels, mimosa and my favourite so far cous cous. I have been eating much slower, savoring tastes, eating fancy names more than the actual food. My palate is slowly betraying my people.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a49fb92 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a49fb92\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The best part of eating are people. Listening to people share what I would call TMI (Too much information) for a first time conversation. Deep family history, names of pets and the reason they nolonger get along with siblings. I liked the exactness of places being described to me as if I have been there before.<\/p><p>Like the food, I have also been baptised a new name K a t a n a somebody removed the letter O and replaced it with the letter A. Katana, (Katono) Rass (Ross), Gela (Gala.) Flowwwrence rolled nicely off many tongues. I like to hear it a little more. My father said he named me after a famous athlete Flowwwwrence. My tongue has been curling too. You should hear me say Thurrrrsday, warrra, meing, keyoric. My tongue feels a little lighter. It is carrying me safely through conversations like a willing donkey.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-31a5a69 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"31a5a69\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>I\u2019ve found my window here too \u2014 a place to pray loudly, journal quietly, and call home.<\/p><p>Chicago, I\u2019ve inhaled you.<br \/>I\u2019ve walked your fog and tasted your steak.<br \/>I\u2019ve watched you rise and heard your sirens sing.<\/p><p>Bye bye, Chicago. Until next time.<\/p><p>#travelwriting<br \/>#Chicago<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2750971 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"2750971\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bdcccdc e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bdcccdc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eae57df elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"eae57df\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\">\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"1815\" class=\"elementor elementor-1815\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14d60d0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"14d60d0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b705f21 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5b705f21\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5c52fae elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5c52fae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Logo-removebg-preview.png\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Logo-removebg-preview\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MjAwNSwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL2Zsb3JlbmNla2F0b25vLmNvbVwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNVwvMTBcL0xvZ28tcmVtb3ZlYmctcHJldmlldy5wbmcifQ%3D%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"285\" height=\"236\" src=\"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Logo-removebg-preview.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-2005\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72dea6b5 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"72dea6b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Words are my precious gift to you.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Thank you for being part of my story. <\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17308f16 elementor-shape-rounded elementor-grid-0 e-grid-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-social-icons\" data-id=\"17308f16\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"social-icons.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-social-icons-wrapper elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon elementor-social-icon elementor-social-icon-facebook elementor-repeater-item-1ee56ed\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Facebook<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fab-facebook\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.78 90.69 226.38 209.25 245V327.69h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.31 482.38 504 379.78 504 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon elementor-social-icon elementor-social-icon-twitter elementor-repeater-item-a705350\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Twitter<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fab-twitter\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M459.37 151.716c.325 4.548.325 9.097.325 13.645 0 138.72-105.583 298.558-298.558 298.558-59.452 0-114.68-17.219-161.137-47.106 8.447.974 16.568 1.299 25.34 1.299 49.055 0 94.213-16.568 130.274-44.832-46.132-.975-84.792-31.188-98.112-72.772 6.498.974 12.995 1.624 19.818 1.624 9.421 0 18.843-1.3 27.614-3.573-48.081-9.747-84.143-51.98-84.143-102.985v-1.299c13.969 7.797 30.214 12.67 47.431 13.319-28.264-18.843-46.781-51.005-46.781-87.391 0-19.492 5.197-37.36 14.294-52.954 51.655 63.675 129.3 105.258 216.365 109.807-1.624-7.797-2.599-15.918-2.599-24.04 0-57.828 46.782-104.934 104.934-104.934 30.213 0 57.502 12.67 76.67 33.137 23.715-4.548 46.456-13.32 66.599-25.34-7.798 24.366-24.366 44.833-46.132 57.827 21.117-2.273 41.584-8.122 60.426-16.243-14.292 20.791-32.161 39.308-52.628 54.253z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon elementor-social-icon elementor-social-icon-youtube elementor-repeater-item-d19812d\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Youtube<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fab-youtube\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M549.655 124.083c-6.281-23.65-24.787-42.276-48.284-48.597C458.781 64 288 64 288 64S117.22 64 74.629 75.486c-23.497 6.322-42.003 24.947-48.284 48.597-11.412 42.867-11.412 132.305-11.412 132.305s0 89.438 11.412 132.305c6.281 23.65 24.787 41.5 48.284 47.821C117.22 448 288 448 288 448s170.78 0 213.371-11.486c23.497-6.321 42.003-24.171 48.284-47.821 11.412-42.867 11.412-132.305 11.412-132.305s0-89.438-11.412-132.305zm-317.51 213.508V175.185l142.739 81.205-142.739 81.201z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon elementor-social-icon elementor-social-icon-instagram elementor-repeater-item-efd8542\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Instagram<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fab-instagram\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.1 141c-63.6 0-114.9 51.3-114.9 114.9s51.3 114.9 114.9 114.9S339 319.5 339 255.9 287.7 141 224.1 141zm0 189.6c-41.1 0-74.7-33.5-74.7-74.7s33.5-74.7 74.7-74.7 74.7 33.5 74.7 74.7-33.6 74.7-74.7 74.7zm146.4-194.3c0 14.9-12 26.8-26.8 26.8-14.9 0-26.8-12-26.8-26.8s12-26.8 26.8-26.8 26.8 12 26.8 26.8zm76.1 27.2c-1.7-35.9-9.9-67.7-36.2-93.9-26.2-26.2-58-34.4-93.9-36.2-37-2.1-147.9-2.1-184.9 0-35.8 1.7-67.6 9.9-93.9 36.1s-34.4 58-36.2 93.9c-2.1 37-2.1 147.9 0 184.9 1.7 35.9 9.9 67.7 36.2 93.9s58 34.4 93.9 36.2c37 2.1 147.9 2.1 184.9 0 35.9-1.7 67.7-9.9 93.9-36.2 26.2-26.2 34.4-58 36.2-93.9 2.1-37 2.1-147.8 0-184.8zM398.8 388c-7.8 19.6-22.9 34.7-42.6 42.6-29.5 11.7-99.5 9-132.1 9s-102.7 2.6-132.1-9c-19.6-7.8-34.7-22.9-42.6-42.6-11.7-29.5-9-99.5-9-132.1s-2.6-102.7 9-132.1c7.8-19.6 22.9-34.7 42.6-42.6 29.5-11.7 99.5-9 132.1-9s102.7-2.6 132.1 9c19.6 7.8 34.7 22.9 42.6 42.6 11.7 29.5 9 99.5 9 132.1s2.7 102.7-9 132.1z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-824b73c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"824b73c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d505b7f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d505b7f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32ced2c elementor-icon-list--layout-inline elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"32ced2c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items elementor-inline-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-inline-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Home<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-inline-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/?page_id=33\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">This is me<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-inline-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/?page_id=41\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Short Stories<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-inline-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/?page_id=2072\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Lets Connect<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c15a384 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c15a384\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b757188 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b757188\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a9 2026\u00a0 Florence Katono . All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every home she\u2019s ever lived in, she finds her spot \u2014 one window, preferably facing the road. That becomes her special place. She leans there, prays there, and chases away demons she didn\u2019t invite. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1229,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_canvas","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1402","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1402","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1402"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1402\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2291,"href":"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1402\/revisions\/2291"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1229"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1402"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1402"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/florencekatono.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1402"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}