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.