October Ends

Ah, the Memorial Day squabbles have begun early this season. It is so much fun to send a group email and then wait for the responses. Our family really has no procedure for voting so the final decision has to be arbitrary. So after 39 years of meeting on Memorial Day weekend, will we ultimately change the tradition to be the last weekend after Memorial Day or some other day that we contrive each year?

The photos of Hank’s grandsons are great. Looks like you went to see some farm animals somewhere. Were you at the zoo?

Today I mailed several packages to Kenya for Catherine and James. I’m not sure why but I just wanted to do something. I liked the things James taught us about the animals and Catherine seemed to work so tirelessly and was so appreciative. Anyway the postage equaled two goats or so and now I’m thinking the packages may never arrive even though they are flown to Africa and should be in Nanyuki in 6-10 days. When I googled “Kenya parcel post” I was led to believe packages have a way of disappearing and I no doubt will never know.

Here is my typical weekly activity log as Shizuo has been asking questions about what I do with my days. You know my neighbors and I walk every weekday morning for an hour. This routine has been going on for over 20 years so we all know most of one another’s secrets. Next, if I can’t avoid it, I meet three different friends at the health club a mile up the street. We alternate classes in Pilates, aerobics and weights and are usually home by 10 unless we go for coffee.

My days then vary with gardening, shopping, lunching, or meetings. I’ve kept my joining to an investment club, a quilting group, the Habitat for Humanity screening committee and Ronald McDonald House Cookie Volunteers. My mom is appreciative of a visit each day though some days she’s sleeping and is not up for conversation. She is usually happy to see me and we visit with her friends at Harbor Glen while we watch Matlock reruns.

Occasionally I babysit for Miles and Lucas by taking them separately on two afternoons. I’m almost over the panic I get when I go to daycare to get Miles and Lucas jumps up and down asking me where we’re going. He is starting to understand that sometimes I take only Miles though it is tough on both of us. I hope to always get inside without Lucas spotting me. Miles and I stay at my house and play and Lucas and I go on hikes or field trips. We went to Al the Alligator at the Children’s Museum this week. I also babysat a few hours for Colton. He is growing up, almost walking and most importantly didn’t get the best of me in that short amount of time.

Colton’s great grandpa, Brice, is going to be 87 on Friday. He’s a pretty strong hunter and golfer at this age. He’s also willing to sleep in a rustic cabin to be with family once a year and he doesn’t complain like some family members.

Do you know anyone who would like to go to India on the cheap trip with the Chico Chamber? I need a roommate.

Leaves Fall

Hanna must not be checking her email or else she is ignoring my birthday greeting. Do you think the 14th is the correct date? It’s hard for me to keep these dates from 50 years ago straight.

You must be thrilled to have a trip to China booked. You can’t beat the price and it’s time to visit since they are all spiffed up for the 2008 Olympics.

Lucas and I had a good trip to see his Uncle Dave and Aunt Cyd in Seattle. The trip ordinarily takes 4 ½ hours but we added a few stops making it a 6 hour trip. We visited a pumpkin farm and had a lunch break, leaving the rest of the ride for videos and a nap.

Lucas was impressed by the house with an upstairs, the car with the built-in television and the looming Mt. Ranier with its volcanic potential. The twins were fascinated with Lucas but were able to keep him in line with a biting threat. It works quite well between the two of them.

Lucas likes to see new things but lately when I tell him a fact like next we drive to Moses Lake he announces, “I already know that, Grandma.” Five year olds can be so callous since they know everything whereas Miles, who’s almost two, is still quite intrigued with the simple things in life, for instance he loves leaves and says, “Leaves fall down” and “Leaf for you, Baba.”

Isn’t Shizuo doing a good job with his English blog? I think he’s leaving out some important facts about his life but now that he’s off beer he’ll have more time for girls. We’ll have to expect some photos and updates there.

The article you sent about African women being independent was great. I also found a good article with 10 ways to help Africans-

1. Read. The more you know about Africa, the better you can motivate others to help. Read a survey of African history since the dawn of humankind more than 200,000 years ago. Read a book about black African leaders, from the Kushite pharaohs of ancient Egypt to the giants of 20th century independence (Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Leopold Senghor of Senegal, Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, and more). Follow African current events on Web sites like AllAfrica (allafrica.com), BBC News (news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa, and CNN (www.cnn.com/WORLD/africa/archive).

2. Teach, learn. If you're a teacher, plan a lesson or special project about Africa. If you're a parent, look for a fun "African experience" your family can share. If you're a student, do a research paper on Africa or start an Africa Club with your friends. If your school has African students, have a special assembly and ask them to speak.

3. Write. Voice your views and perspectives on Africa-related issues. Write a letter to your senator, member of congress, or state or local government official. Share your concerns with companies engaged in Africa. Author a guest editorial for your community or school newspaper, or a posting to your favorite Internet message board.

4. Speak. If you've traveled or worked in Africa, give a talk to a group you belong to. If you've never been to Africa, arrange for an African immigrant who lives in your community to speak.

5. Travel. If you have the means, visit Africa. Consider a group trip: traveling in groups can add to the fun as well as reduce the costs (group discounts are often substantial). As much as possible, do business with African vendors for transport, lodging, and tours. While in Africa, absorb the beautiful scenery and cultural sites — but also take the time to meet local people, learn about their lives, and understand the development challenges that they face. Finally, stay connected, and committed, once you return home. For example, if you visited a drought-prone country, involve your friends in raising funds for water wells.

6. See, hear, eat ... enjoy! African culture is accessible in most American cities. You can see an African film (Afrique-sur-Seine, The Gods Must Be Crazy) or a film about Africa (Hotel Rwanda, The Lost Boys of the Sudan , Cry Freedom). Attend a performance of African music or dance. Visit an African art museum. Eat at an African restaurant. Enjoy and appreciate the incredible variety of cultures that are "African" and share those enthusiasms with others.

7. Meet. Almost every city and many smaller communities in the United States are home to first-generation Africans. Find opportunities to meet your African neighbors, to learn from them, and to invite their participation in local organizations. Reach out especially to new arrivals, who might welcome your help finding housing and jobs and generally adjusting to American life.

8. Invest. You may be in a position to invest in an African business or to join a group of investors with African interests (there are growing numbers of African investment funds you might want to explore). On the other hand, even the simple act of buying African art in an American store helps to support the artists and their families in Africa. Depending on where you work, you might also engage your employer in African investment or trade.

9. Donate. Make a charitable donation to one of the many reputable organizations assisting Africa. Your gift may be large or small. Usually, you can give online. You can support special projects or offer to help "where needed most" in Africa. You can give individually; you can organize a fund raiser; you can give in your workplace.

10. Share. Send this article to 10 people, and ask each to send it on to 10 more — and encourage all recipients to help Africa this year in one of the nine other ways presented above.

Lucas is 5!!!

Was I the one who didn’t want to take a camera and didn’t care about the photos? Now I want to put one Africa scene on each blog as I change my desktop often.

It’s been terribly hot at your place since all the runners yesterday were collapsing. Were they in front of your condo? Three friends and I walked a half marathon Saturday morning and it just took us over 3 hours. That’s because I was a little bit in shape from walking the 12 km transects over rough savannah grasslands.

Lucas did have a great birthday with five little boyfriends from his daycare. They have been together since they were babies so they had a great time wrestling in the Bounce Castle and decorating Halloween cookies. Mostly they just enjoyed running, jumping, falling and screaming, in unison of course.

McKenna had her birthday yesterday also and Lucas and I spent a few hours at her house visiting as Grandma and Grandpa were there with two homemade cakes, one small for McKenna and one for everyone else. The little babies are quickly growing.

Here’s what cookie baking looks like.
I’m doing dishes, Barb is in charge and the cute girl is Phyllis’s granddaughter with another friend. It helps to have young ones assist. We’ll be there tomorrow for another fast baking session.

Why were you out collecting dead birds in the city and what causes their deaths? Maybe the Chicago air?

The 5 Year Old With Chain

Shizuo's Blog

My Earthwatch partner is writing a nice blog about our Africa trip. He had some interesting comments about the people at our center. Now I hope he writes more and we can get details. I mentioned earlier that some people had some longer goodbyes than others when we left that morning. Surely Hank has some insights about those remarks.

It is great hearing other's viewpoints about the trip now that it is just a memory. Jeanne is already to sign up for the South African Earthwatch trip next. I spent two hours looking at the African photos today so I hope that doesn't mean I'm turning into a fanatic.

Did you send some clothes pins to Vernonicah and Mary? It appears the clothes need help staying on the line.