23rd March 2014

Another two weeks have gone by, and these weeks were full of activity of which I’m still trying to catch up to.  After teaching on Monday (10^th) and giving out work for other classes that week, on Tuesday we left  early for the trip to Arusha.  It’s a long enough trip, usually taking between 7 and 8 hours, and we made it in good time that day.  On the way we saw lots of good looking millet between Dodoma and Singida, and after Singida until Babati, there were fields of beautiful corn as far as the eyes could see.  It was a treat for the soul to see all of that beautiful corn, knowing that not only will the people in that area have a good crop but that they will also be able to feed others who are not so lucky.  Closer to Arusha it was much drier but it rained while we were at the meeting and so on the way back here the grass had already become green.  The road is beautiful almost all of the way these days – there is resurfacing going on still near Arusha but what a difference a good road makes in both time used for getting somewhere as well as wear and tear on the body.

I had a good birthday week and enjoyed all the greetings that a special day like that brings.  I spent some of the day catching up on things that were delayed because of being away, and then in the evening was cooked a lovely meal which included birthday cake and ice cream.  There was a celebration at the meeting in Arusha, and the students had a fun time singing Happy Birthday to me at school, too.  Several of the students gave me cards, some handmade, and one class even managed to surprise me.  I walked into their classroom and at first glance there were no students.  As I walked in, I said out loud, “Oh, the students aren’t here” at which point they jumped from along the wall that I couldn’t see and from behind desks shouting “Surprise!” and then sang Happy Birthday.  Of course they wanted to know how old I am, so I asked them how old they think I am.  The answers ranged from 47 to 90 so it’s obvious their perceptions are skewed.  Anyway, I’m grateful for good health and enough energy to deal with them, even on days when they’re hyper!

The moon going down near my favorite baobab tree.

Wild flowers along the way.

Wild flower among the thorns.

Millet field.

Corn field.

Groundnut (peanut) field.

Here are some photos of my early morning birthday walk.  Truly blessed with beauty.

9th March 2014

Yes, here is the confession:  I didn’t write a blog post last week.  It’s not that I was too busy or too lazy or too anything except not creative enough to think of something that might be interesting.  AND that’s really the case for today as well but I can at least talk about the weather.

And that is very disappointing.  We haven’t had rain now for too long a time and the corn is all looking very unhappy.  Most of it was tasselling and starting to form cobs but that process has really stopped now and very soon it will be only food for cows.  A lot of people were really excited about the prospects for a good crop this year but then the vagaries of Dodoma weather clicked in and that’s the end of the excitement.  Even most of the peanuts haven’t set their fruit yet so the food situation in the area isn’t looking too good for the coming year.  Hopefully there will be areas of the country that will get a harvest so that people will at least eat, even though it will be costly.

If you were at all impressed with my cement sack garden and the greens growing so nicely, you should see them now.  They were invaded by some insects which have left only lacy remnants between the ribs of the leaves.  Looks terrible and I’ve given up trying to find the little critters and drowning them.  I must say those leaves, when they were in good shape, were delicious and tender.  Good while they lasted.

Next week is a safari to Arusha and a Maryknoll Sisters meeting and workshop.  It will be nice to have a change and to see the Sisters, have some good discussions and learn something new.  The car is serviced and ready to roll so we hope and pray we'll have a good and safe trip.