News from Sacramento

Marty is visiting Sacramento CA and brought along a few copies of Chagall all of them sold or are reserved. Rumor has it the City of Sacramento is ordering copies for their reading program to put in kids backpacks.

From the Author: homecoming

Twenty-one days and Suzanne and I leave for America to visit Chloe, our granddaughter, son and daughter in law and family. The days are being counted and soon the plane will take off. Are we anxious, excited; yes.

Still in the garage and waiting on word for new housing. It pre occupies more of our thoughts and time than liked, but that is the case. Last night we attended a healing service and were blessed along with our travel papers; both plane and bus tickets. The oil was so much it washed into my eyes and I had to lean forward to keep it off my clothes. Suzanne did the same. We do feel blessed. Safe is another issue.

The ZaZi and Brothers for Life sessions come to a close at the one church this Sunday. If everyone comes there will be 14 certificates to hand out and a small celebration. The church where we are attending services and the local High School expressed interest and we said we would  start a program when we return from vacation. I also have a lady asking about Grass Roots Soccer for kids that play after school in her yard. We know her through church and the clinic where she works. We said in May when we return. So, our return will be busy when we land.

It is Autumn here. The nights are comfortable, not cold but comfortable. The days are warm. The rains have stopped with maybe a few more storms between now and the end of March. The locals say it sometimes rains in April.

We finish the Child Headed Household class at the high school this Thursday and talking to them about what else they may like. It took four visits but once started it has proven to be rewarding.

Still waiting to hear on the permacultural gardening classes and how many the care workers help to install. We walk by one in Khumbula where a class was held and see it is not being watered except if it rains. At a meeting the coordinators reported at the other sites said the other gardens were doing well.

Housing is the issue right now. Both of us are not doing well due to the mold in the house. We have seen the doctor and reported to Peace Corps Medical but no place has been found to date. The problem is money. We have made a plan that we shared with our Peace Corps Supervisor and they have nodded yes, so we will see what happens when we return from vacation and are in Pretoria for Mid Service Training the end of April.

It was a harvest moon the other night. It hung in the sky full.

That is it for us.

Marty and Suzanne

From the Author: departure date

It is November and we are approaching our departure date. Both Suzanne and I spent time submitting on line the medical requirements. Monday I have one more test and then my physical will be done and submitted. Then it is wait and to see if we make it through the final hurtle. If we pass the physicals we will be invited to staging in late January, and then if successful to training in  South Africa for three months.

Today as part of our preparation for leaving Suzanne and I took a twenty two mile bicycle ride through the Blue Ridge Mountain back roads. We have been building up to this starting with shorter rides. The day was perfect for a long bike ride. The temperature was in the mid 50s to low 60s with a breeze to stay cool.

The leaves are peaking throughout the valleys making for beautiful vistas across the fields and mountains. The ride is slowed for the photo opportunities presented and remind us why we decided to move here.

Suzanne is busy preparing for another craft show later this month. She is designing some beautiful jewelry.

Tomorrow I will start to address some of the business needed to be gone for 27 months. The management of the house still needs to be outlined and how to continue to pay all the bills while away. Also, a will is something should happen while away. Needless to say preparing to leave home for an extended period of time is much simpler when younger, but still worth the adventure that awaits.

And of course, "Chagall, The Recycling Dragon", is now on Kindle and is being prepared for to be printed into a hard copy within a few weeks.

That is the report for the week.

From the Author: 4 months and counting

It has been some time since the last Email and much is happening.

First, South Africa is 4 months and counting. While it is the Unknown Country-feared by many due to change, it is also an adventure to look forward to. There will be many new adventures to share. The chance to learn a new culture while sharing our culture and working for a worthy cause.

Suzanne has been studying Zulu on a daily basis in between making jewelry and maintaining her daily life, exercise and communicating with family and friends. We have both been completing the medical and making arrangements to finish it. We are watching our pennies while balancing the debt payment incurred through the last tax return, daily expenses and out of pocket expenses to address the Peace Corps medical requirements. But in the end it will all be worth the effort. Without Suzanne's close attention to the details none of this would happen or it would at least be a lot more confusing.

And yes, the woods have been calling to address the growth and it finally quit raining so some of the outside work that needs to be addressed can be taken to task. 

Suzanne is getting ready for a show this weekend, busy making new jewelry and creating beautiful pieces. She has started showing what she creates on facebook.

We went to Maine for Suzanne's, mother's 93rd birthday. While traveling we bused from Rhode Island to NY and then by train to say hello to old friends of Suzanne's. Then we drove up with her brother in law to Maine and then came home after going to Wilmington, NC to help with baby sitting. We got home late Thursday night.

That is about all for now.

Marty

REALE ART: Vacations and Gifts

REALE ART: Vacations and Gifts: Last Vacation Sunset Rockport, MA Things have been busy still unpacking but did hang up some pictures. I am also currently look...

From the Author: wEEKLY update

It has been a busy week with working preparing for Peace Corps in South Africa. Both Suzanne and I are busy studying the Peace Corps manuals and going on line to learn as much as we can about the three regions we may be going. We are not guaranteed to leave the country at staging or to stay if we do not show we are ready to not only accept the assignment, but also succeed.

Ahead of us is the physicals, dental records and vision. We also need immunizations and balance all of this with a limited budget. We need to get more photos for VISA application. While some of this is reimbursable, the up front cost needs to be paid by us and the reimbursement is limited in the amount we are paid back. And write and notarize our living life trusts, complete agreements between us and the person sitting the house, the neighbor to maintain the property. 

In between studying and preparing for the Peace Corps we are preparing for our annual trip to Maine to celebrate Suzanne's, mother's 93rd birthday and celebrate our good fortune when the sun shines by taking a hike or bike ride or something fun outside.

We are trying to balance family, us and business needed to be attended to in a timely manner. And we are spacing our expenses as best we can so they do not all hit at once.

That is all for this week.

From the Author: Home

Suzanne and I are home from
our trip to LeLand to hel provide day care

Now we are catching up on sleep, yard work and banking. The trip was good but wearing. Seven month olds are demanding to say the least but worth the effort.

For those who missed the news, Suzanne and I received our invitation for the Peace Corps. If all goes well and the paper work gets accepted we are going to South Africa to work with HIV outreach/education. We have been reading materials for background and are very excited. We will be gone for 27 months living in a new culture. Once gone commujication may or may not be easy. Meanwhile we are figuring out how to keep the house payments going and other bills paid, and talking to someone to sit the house.

So, for those who continue to read we will let you know what happens as it happens.

Enjoy

Marty