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Winter..........Again!?!

It happened again...... Winter.

Embrace it or it may cause you to splinter.

You think its over and ...........

There it is, more snow.

Oh no.

Winter to love.

Winter to shove.

Spring I did smell a few weeks back.

The weatherman will be getting some flack. 

Tell the Robins to stay home, don't pack.

The snow will soon go away from here.

Of this I have no fear.

Its near.

But as always there is always a silver lining.

So shut up and quit your whining. 

No school to go.

Sledding, skiing, snowshoeing, instead.

All to help clear the head.

From the shovel, and cold hands that are red.

Embrace it I say.

Sometimes till May.

Yah Way....

It happened again....... Winter.

More Fruit Logistica

What I am seeing!!!

While I was Europe, I had the opportunity to go to a trade show called "Fruit Logistica".

All the worlds fruit and vegetable marketing groups showing off  their goods.

Dragon Fruit to potatoes.

Here is what I saw.......

And More Vienna

More Vienna

Vienna

AHHH Vienna.

The city is captivating.

Not overwhelming.

Entrenched in History.

Rich in beauty.

Walking around and taking in the City is like listening to Mozart Symphony and slowly drifting off to sleep.

turn down the heat

Where I worked in Connecticut we burned the brush we generated from pruning in the orchard. It was usually done in late Spring. We would have to get a permit and alert the local authorities. They would have to bring an extra person in to field all the 911 calls. We would often have flames 20 - 30 feet high. Raising the eyebrows of many along I 95 northeast of New Haven. Hasn't anyone seen a fire before?

Fire brings attention.

Fire destroys.

Fire stinks.

Fire cleans.

Fire brings life.

Fire reveals.

So many analogies.

I have photographed fire before. I enjoy what fire light does. I was pleased with my results. But was struck with an ........." ohhh " After viewing the photos. Not because I think they are prize winning. But because of what I saw in the photo and my reaction to it.

My belief in hell is real. And if hell looks anything like this I want nothing to do with it. I was taken aback by the thought of " If hell is real and its anything like this..... No Thanks!" I'd rather be where I don't have to worry about ID, dentists, traffic, or the economy. Constant heat, burning, stench and pain..... not my cup of tea! 

Celebration of Citizenship

"Seeing is believing".  As they say. 

Is that enough?

Hearing is Believing?

Touching is Believing?

Tasting is Believing?

Smelling is Believing?

Thank God for senses. They sure make life interesting!

Thai Food!

Skunks!

Mozart???

Sand paper!

Sunrises. 

AHHH its good to be alive. A dually I am. The Red White and Blue I embrace. Along with my Red Maple Leaf. I thought it would not happen. Never always comes back around and forces you into its grips. I have a list. 

But I join the throngs ( I think ) of the human race that have crossed boundaries and become another. Allowing me easier crossing, much more paper work, and a lot more responsibility. I'm up for the challenge. The verdict is still out on how my senses will respond. I have never been eating Thai food, listening to mozart, working with sand paper, with a wave of skunk ,while watching a sunrise. Maybe I should try it sometime.

Tractor View

View From a Tractor.....?!?!?

In the midst of transition. It is always nice to have a few things around that are somewhat familiar. It is sometimes comforting. Usually easy. And even possibly fun.

One thing I have been doing since I was about 8 years old has been driving a tractor. I guess that's what happens when you grow up on a farm. Well drive a tractor I have been doing. 

From a seat of tractor. One I have been doing for 30 years.  I thought I should show this perspective.

mud

It rained today. (actually yesterday)

It really rained rained hard today! Add some wind and you have the makings for a miserable day. 

To make it worse the rain gear I had wasn't exactly water proof. Soggy was my day. Mud everywhere! In your hair, on your glasses, in your boots.

I remember as a kid the "elements" never stopped my Dad from putting us to work. Especially when the work couldn't wait. Memories flooded back yesterday. When it is harvest season you work no matter the weather. (the break comes at the end) I hope the snow holds off a couple more weeks. 

So if you are hot, cold, wet...... suck it up and quit your whining and hope you're dressed for the weather. 

They say....

Home is where the Heart is.

or

Home is where you hang your hat.

Well we are finally in our new house in Lakeville Nova Scotia. After three months of vagabonding and hanging our hat in many of our friends homes and hopefully not wearing out welcome, we are home, again. 

Yes it feels good, although it is already a little chilly in the morning and very soon fires will be necessary. Fall is in full force here and the harvest is wanting  to come in out  from the impending cold. It is fun to be back farming country. The smells bring back many memories from when I was a kid. The leaves are just starting to turn and frost has already deadened the the cold sensitive plants. Good thing autumn is long here. 

We have two acres to rome and around 500 on my Dads place. Far away from the rat race of traffic and road rage. Refreshing it is!!! I can see the big dipper every night and the sunrise & sunsets are spectacular. I forgot how beautiful it is here!!!

Processing

Back in North America.

Now that I am back in the familiar confines of North America. I am finding myself disillusioned, a little confused, and widely disoriented on what my response "should be" to my two week experience in South Africa. Through a little jet lag in there  and you have a recipe for fatigue mixed with potential confusion. Processing digesting and thinking are my new dearest companions.

A camera is a wonderful communication tool. But if you are unwilling " to see " what you are seeing what is the point! I am responsible for what I see and thus must apply the necessary changes to my own life before I can be an effective communicator of my experiences.

For two weeks,  I know that I unintentionally hid behind my camera and somewhat used it as a crutch. I don't think this was "wrong" on my part. But, by doing so I was protecting my heart and emotions from  scaring, hardship, turmoil, and certain change. That are now begging and plaguing me for attention. ( I feel a concussion coming on, no one warned me about this)  

I have slowly and safely been taking down my walls. The eight foot walls of concrete ,razor wire, and electric fence that met us when entered Johannesburg resemble the ones I didn't even realize I had erected myself. Tearing down this " protection " has been harder than I imagined. 

I am now asking myself the question. Do I really want to change? Do I really want to implement the change to my own life by the very things I saw?  Do I even have the ability to make this change happen?

I have been protected from the pain and suffering of this  World by  Materialism, Excessiveness, and Greed. Can I get past this? Do I have the stamina to do so? 

Here comes that common, oft unwelcome relative of change; Tension. Embracing this friend and foe will be difficult at best but imperative if I am to survive this test of character.

Please don't get me wrong as I share this. I welcomed this into life and thus must reap the consequences of such a welcome. Which is this internal turmoil. Deep down I know it is good. So giving it all a big hug, I am.

Where is the HOPE?

Hope?

Yes it does exist.

There is a lady in the community of Kabukwenie named Elizabeth.

Her next door neighbors died and their children were left as orphans. So she helped them. And it has grown. She feeds up to 90 orphaned hungry children 3 times a week. And on one of those days she also washes their clothes.

She has gotten the community involved so she doesn't do all on her own.  We met about 10 other women from her community that are helping her out.

She saw a need in her immediate community and rose to the challenge. She genuinely  loves these kids and it shows. That is hope.

As per usual it is always easier to talk about the negative than the positive. I am still coming to terms and processing all that I saw. 

Money obviously is not the answer.

Drugs (ARV's) are not the answer.

Health care is not the answer.

Food is not the answer.

Cultural understanding is not the answer.

All of these ideas will go a long way in helping the global problem of AIDS and HIV. But will not solve the problem. 

There is an answer to this Global crisis, that I Know. It is a combination of all these and more, plus the biggest factor. 

A loving God.

Care? Who me?

Why should I care? About orphans in Africa? They are a world away!

Funny you should ask!

Let me tell you why.........

1. Because we are all human.

2. Because we are commanded to.

3. Because you have the ability to.

4. Because if we don't the cycle WILL continue. 

5. Because if we don't there will be more Iraq's, Rwanda's, and Cambodia's. (And they will seem a like a walk in the park)

6. Because deep down you do care. 

7. Because you have no excuse. 

8. Because there is no time like the present.

My people if we do not act. If we do not join the tears in heaven. If we do not care, If we do not embrace one of the biggest problems that faces not just Africa but the world. If we do not play a part in this. We, you, I will have missed the boat to change the world.

This is our problem. It is not only theirs. It is a North American, African, European, Asian, Australian ,South American, WORLD problem. And if you do play a part you are not taking responsibility and therefore you are missing out.

What can I do? 

Lots. If you are stuck, e-mail me and I will point you in a direction that may help. And you may not even need to move to Africa. The question is not IF I will play a part but HOW!!!!