Bitter Sweet, But Oh So Dear

OK, another Guardian gem:

"Randy Newman gives an exclusive performance of his song Losing You and talks about the difficult events that inspired it."

There is also a wonderful article, a fine piece of journalistic writing, that accompanies the video. Do enjoy.

New Project Work

As some of you know, I'm a believer in the of power of micro-giving. Whether it is the giving of time, materials, financial means, or creative ideas... we should all be out there giving what we can.

I've spent the day setting up an new project, Kimilili Nutrition and School Garden project, on the Nabuur site.

I happen to know there is are some fabulous gardeners, teachers, nutritionists amongst the readers of this blog. Is there any possibility that some of you would be willing to go over to Nabuur and read in detail about the project and offer us some advice or information (can be left as a comment on Nabuur or in this blog's comment window) about carrying through such an analysis and setting up and the garden? Perhaps one or two of you would like to become Nabuur Neighbours and help on the project? (Well, that is my best shot.)

The project description is,

Community Breakthrough Support Mission is a community of people helping to educate and care for 250 orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Kimilili, Kenya. With the help of Nabuur neighbours we are going to analyse our present method of feeding the children and come up with practical solutions to improve the quality and quantity of food we give our children, as well as plan for better efficiency and lowering our costs.

The central question we are posing is,

"How can we improve the nutritional program of the school by analysis and presentation of a school gardening project?"

The CBSM Nutrition and School Garden Project includes the following three steps:

1. Analysis of School Nutritional Program
2. Setting up a Small-scale Farming Project Plan
3. Proposing a Long-term Small-scale Agricultural Business Proposal

The result of each of these steps will be a documented and published on the Nabuur site or on a website we are creating.

Busy day today... my mother-in-law is moving into the small bachelor apartment across the hall from our apartment. A huge pot of chili con carne simmers in the kitchen. Coffee and tea are brewing.

Fortunately, the sun shines and her numerous son-in-laws (she has six daughters) and sons are all in good humour.

Last night, after she pickup the keys for the apartment, she placed salt, pasta, water, and rice on the windowsill. Apparently, this Italian ritual guarantees a happy home. It is important that these gifts are in the home as it stands empty, in wait for the move to come. Isn't that a good idea?

Early Through the Finish Line

In the news this week, was a report that Germany will, in all likelihood, reach it’s Kyoto goal of 21% emission reduction this year: five years before the date agreed upon in 1990 Kyoto agreement. Yeah Germany!

Economic growth. Emission reduction. It is possible. What kind of statement might that give to American politicians who didn’t think necessary to participate in the agreement and seem reluctant to follow in the next one?

Oh, Happy Days!

It has been one of those rollercoaster weeks. Much to my dismay, I discovered at the beginning of the week that I had lost my bankcard the previous Friday. By the time I realised this, the culprit had done a fair size of damage to my account. Somewhere to the sum of five thousand euros. I’m one of those people who live from one pay cheque to another, so this sum that the thieves took, I didn’t actually have. For those of you who have built a healthy amount of savings, or for those of you who live constantly in debt, it is hard to describe my sense of deep dismay when I discovered I was, as of that moment, in debt.

I spent one day travelling back and forth between the bank and the police station (where I had to place charges against the thief). These are not situations I do well in or with carry through with any sense of authority. Though, I did manage to think and talk logically and I did not melt into butter until I came home.

Now, here is the miracle… The bank, which allowed the thief to withdraw nearly four thousand euros at their bank desk (false signature), and the stores who let the thief purchase a thousand euros worth of merchandise, are giving me back my money. Every last cent. Oh, Happy Days!

This poem describes so well the feeling of celebration that I experienced upon hearing the news. And this next poem depicts the giddiness that followed.