It promises to be a renewing Easter. Madamme Josette is probably renewing the old tissues with her family over this long holiday weekend. And so are we.

We have an egg-shaped chocolate cake; a brightly coloured fruit punch mixed in a pitcher and ready for the likely addition of Rhum Barbancourt when friends come by tonight and tomorrow. We have plans – to make devilled egg chicks (with olives for eyes and carrot beaks) and we have a menu or two and Haiti’s soley anpil, the brilliant sunshine that floods everywhere and everything.

For next week, I have 20 kreyol sentences that allow me properly to request some help with the dishes, making the bed and so on. Some samples:

Eske w ka ranje kabann nan. (Can you make the bed)

Eske w ka lave veso yo. (Can you wash the dishes)

Eske w ka retire vyann moulen an nan frijide a. (Can you take the ground beef out of the fridge)

Eske w ka graje fwomaj la. (Can you grate the cheese)

Bon Pak.