From the Author" Happy 4th

This weekend we celebrate the 4th of July, Independence Day.
Many of our ancestors came to this country to escape intolerance. My grandparents immigrated fro Germany/Austria and Hungry to escape politically sanctioned riots against their beliefs.
My hope is we as a nation may remember why our ancestors came to this country and we may learn to be tolerant of others beliefs.

From the Atthor: Family update 2

 Suzanne's mother Mary, is being released from the hospital today to home hospice care. Her heart and lungs are failing. She is almost 96 years old and Suzanne s grateful to have had her in her life this long.

Suzanne is flying to Bangor, Maine July 6th to see her mother and help with the family. She will be there until August 16th.

We are praying her mother and all the family.
Marty

From the Author: Family Prayers

Please send prayers for healing for Suzanne's mother, Mary and her nephew, Shaun.
Her mother is in the hospital and her nephew will be undergoing tests for his MS.
May the Lord bless them both and bring healing to their bodies.
Amen
And may the Lord give healing to all of Suzanne's family. ...
Amen

From the Author: Holiday update

Dear Family and Friends:
This Holiday Season is special for Suzanne and me because we celebrate it with family and friends. We have lots to be grateful for and celebrate this last year.
Since becoming grandparents last December we decided to spend time closer to family in California so we can get to know our new granddaughter, Chloe born December 2, 2014.
Our return from South Africa was May 12, 2015. We landed in Bangor, Maine and spent a week with Suzanne’s family.. We enjoyed visiting family.
After a week we started our journey down the East Coast to North Carolina to our home in the mountains and woods. On the way we visited friends and family. Memorial Day weekend Marty’s nephew, Simon Strauss got married in New Hampshire. We celebrated their wedding and enjoyed dancing for the first time in a long while.  Marty caught up with his older cousin and wife at the wedding.
We arrived in North  Carolina early June and worked with the house sitters on a schedule for us to move back into the house. We made contact with Suzanne’s nephew and niece and welcomed them to their new home in South Carolina. We visited Suzanne’s niece and our adopted granddaughter in Wilmington, NC and saw her cousin in High Point, NC.
We prepared for our move to Nevada and returned to Maine to celebrate Suzanne’s, mother’s 95th birthday. Now we are in Carson City, Nevada and enjoying the time to reflect and play. Snow has fallen and more is predicted, breaking the draught. Thanksgiving week was in Squaw Valley with family coming from both sides of the mountains to celebrate and visit. We played in the snow and enjoyed the time.
It has been family and friends that made our re-entry easy. The gift this season is family and friends that celebrated our safe return and joined us in life celebrations.
We will be in  Carson City, NV for the holidays and returning to North Carolina early January.
Suzanne and I wish all everyone a joyous and healthy Holiday Season. We send you our prayers for safe travels in these troubling times and thank all of you for your support and love.
Seasons Greetings
Marty and Suzanne

Two weeks and counting

We have been at the Back Packer since the 13th and last night Suzanne and I enjoyed a night walk, listened to live music at a nearby restaurant while enjoying a cup of tea with a brownie with ice cream. The two of us commented how nice it is to be able to do as we did.

Today we woke late and took a bus back to Khumbula to teach at the high school. We were told upon arrival there was no class but maybe next week. Yes, this is Africa. That is all you learn to say. So, we turned around and came back to where we started in the morning.

Between all that happens there are surprises. We asked the price for two potatoes and were told he did not sell just two. As we started to walk on he reached down and handed us three at no charge. That same shopping market day we were 20 cents short the price of carrots. " okay, bring it to me next time."

We received a call this morning before leaving to tell us Childline was looking at s flat today and could we come. Due to obligations we declined and did our work for the day. Strange was a second call asking about our where about. Checking, was our thought.

It nice to have light and air you can breathe.
That is our thought. And the owners of this Back Packer making this stay possible.

Cannot wait to share with all of you in person.

Marty

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

our one year anniversary in South Africa

Marty's and Suzanne's

As we celebrate our one year anniversary in South Africa we reflect on the year here.

Peace Corps has provided a Family and Friends Face Book link for those who want to stay in contact Book. Here it is:

 Family and Friends group

We have been tested mentally and emotionally. Suzanne  has been the strong one and support for me. I thank her for the presence she brings.

This country is a divergent mix of people and politics. The people are struggling toward their second twenty years of being out of apartied. There is distrust among many those of the same race and different races. As the only whites in a village of all blacks and coloreds we are obvious and approached often out of curiosity. The first thought is we are lost and need help finding where are going. Then surprise, when discovering we live here and are simply taking a walk (Si Hamba) after dinner.

From our perspective we look cautiously at all who approaches whom we have not met before, and make a mental note to change our route if suspect or given a look that is not good. So, there is distrust on both sides and caution.

We have ;learned to get inside by dark and if out after dark visiting friends we take a route known to us and often are escorted to our gate.This is how life is and we have learned to except it, not like it necessarily.

Still, we have made friends on the bus we ride everyday to and from Nelspruit. If we are missing for  few days one lady calls Suzanne to make sure we are al right. The people at the church we attend ask about us and how we are.

 

We visited Pretoria to see medical last week. We will be moving with the help of our org on the advice of the Peace Corps doctor. The garage we live in is damp and has too much mold. It has caused breathing problems for both of us. With the help of our org we will find a place to move after the first of the year.

The rainy season is upon us.Almost everyday there is rain, sometimes a thunder storm. When it rains hard we cannot hear anything above the sound of the rain hitting the metal roof of the garage. We find a flash light and sit to wait to see if the electricity goes out or not. Not much different in many other places. The rain has made our garden grow.

Church services are free concerts for the enjoyment. They are a mix of Ella Fritzgerald, Duke Ellington and Jimmy Buffet, a delight to the ears and a beat that makes your feet want to dance. We have enjoyed the people we have met through the church and are being invited to work with them more. Like anywhere, this took time for them to know us and us them.

We plan to get out  for the New Year and stay in town for a week. This is both for relaxation and the ability to do some day trips around the area. And yes, a regular shower where water flows over your whole body.

In a conversation about our trips we came to the realization we have seen the big five. It is important to get away and relax, play and not take life too seriously at times. The serious parts will wait for our return.

The holidays are different here. Our close friends are not here and Thanksgiving is not a holiday here. Christmas starts later which is nice. But the poverty in the communities make New Years more important to the people here, hoping for a better year, maybe a job or pay increase at one they already have. It is lonely not celebrating with our close friends and family, but a joy to share with the friends we have made here.

This coming year promises to start with projects we have been working to get started since August. In perspective this is not so long, but we are anxious due to we will soon be counting our second and last year of service. I feel the year 2015 will bring Suzanne and I closer. We hope success will mark our progress as we continue to work with the people we know.

That is all for now.  Stay Safe and Have A Blessed New Year

Suzanne and Marty

 

From The Author: Thanksgivukkah

Suzanne and I feel blessed by the support and prayers from both old and new friends for our safety and well being as we prepare for our departure to South Africa as Peace Corps Volunteers.

Our prayers have been answered by helping to provide our needs as we purchase supplies, complete medical exams and continue to study language and online courses related to what we believe will be our assignment.


On January 21st we are scheduled to leave for staging some where in the USA. Then two days later we leave for South Africa and if all goes well we will be there 27 months.

Meanwhile, Suzanne has her jewelry at the Pickett Fence/Corner Story in Etowah on Highway 64 and Brickyard Road in front of the Etowah Public Library. Her jewlery will be there until the end of December. So if you go that way stop by and at the same time discover great fresh vegetables and eggs. And yes, "Chagall, The Recycling Dragon" is now available on Amazon.

And like most of you, we have been busy in the yard doing fall clean up.
To all of you, we thank you and wish all a blessed holiday season starting this Thursday as we celebrate Thanksgiving. By the way, for those who want to know, Chanukkah and Thanksgiving arrive at the same time this year, and not again for another 80,000 years. So for those who want here is a chance to combine the foods of both holidays.

Marty

From the Author: The great outdoors

Suzanne's niece, Jenna with her 10 month old baby came to visit this week. They toured Asheville and Brevard, and had a wonderful visit.  Suzanne enjoyed her company and seeing the baby, her grand niece.

I worked this week with my neighbor. We cut down trees threatening to fall on houses. Four of us cut down and split wood after loading the truck with chips and rounds of wood. It seems my life since leaving Sacramento has led me to the trees and addressing them. I am learning to recognize the difference between oak, hickory and sourwood. In a few weeks we will be looking at a giant cotton wood, about 36 inches at the base and 40 feet tall. The cotton wood has a value for furniture and is one of the softest woods.

Suzanne has been working on her jewelry and baking. The Blue Ridge has inspired her and her designs are coming out exquisite. To her delight I am not the only one who thinks so. People compliment what they see and buy it too for themselves.

Next week we go to public health for another round of shots required by the Peace Corps. I will pick up the lab work and paper work from the doctor's office. Then together Suzanne and I will submit our medical paper work. This is the final step to decide if we get to go or not in January. If all goes well we will be leaving for South Africa the end of January. We are both excited and looking forward to starting the adventure.

"Chagall, the Recycling Dragon" is being well received. The electronic version can be found on Kindle and the hard copy will soon be available. Both will be on Amazon. If you have checked out the electronic version wag your wings. If not, join the many others who have already done so.

That is it for this week.

Marty

From the Author: I can truly say we were poked and jabbed

Hello

Well, this week was medical immunizations and lab tests. Suzanne and I can truly say we were poked and jabbed. For those who do not know, the Yellow Fever vaccine knocks you out for two days. We slept a whole afternoon.

So far my physical looks good. There is one question left to be answered by Peace Corps medical. I need to know if they will require me to have a test that is not due until next June and is within five years of staging, but six out of 27 months into the program. Also check to see if our insurance will pay for the test early and how early, if they will.

Suzanne does her physical the middle of this month. Her lab tests and immunizations are already started. She is also preparing for a fair where she will demonstrate how to make jewelry and sell what she has already made. Her jewelry has been successful. At a fair last weekend Suzanne sold and the local store where she has her jewelry it sells. As an artist it is always rewarding to see your creations appreciated by others.

Myself, "Chagall, The Recycling Dragon" is finished and waiting to be loaded onto Kindle Direct Publishing. We are waiting on a friend who wants to help us market it. It has been a process over twenty years to complete the story and I hope those who choose to look at it like it. So far those who have heard the story and/or seen the illustrations have liked it. Christine, the illustrator did wonderful.

It is fall and the leafs are turning. The brush wants to be cut down and bushes trimmed. The leafs want to be mulched. Nothing there has changed except there is more of it to do.

Tomorrow Suzanne and celebrate our anniversary. We will be celebrating five years married. I can honestly say I treasure the five years and wish to share my life with Suzanne, the lady who said yes when asked to share her life with me. It is getting better every day sharing with Suzanne.

That is all for now.

Marty

From the Author: Rainy Days

Rain today kept us inside. Suzanne did her craft fair and sold jewelry. She was successful as it should be. Tonight is clean up after a month of hard work.

The plants that have been move are happy.They are getting rained on. After so long a period of rain we had a break, but the rain is needed.

I finished my stint at WalMart yesterday. I completed sixty hours which is all that is allowed without exceeding our tax liability. It is very funny to avoid work because you cannot earn any more without paying more tax and doing it all for free, actually paying for it if not careful. I am sure the bean counters can explain this logic. But it is one of many adjustments that comes with retirement.

The next week is getting immunizations at public health. The shots and lab tests are required by Peace Corps. It is the last stage to determine if we get to go to South Africa. It is exciting.

That is about it.

Marty

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: Week in the Life

Hello:

Suzanne and I now in the midst of doing the final requirements for the Peace Corps and preparing to leave for South Africa for 27 months. There is lots to do; final medical and dental clearance ( including shots and eye tests, and full physical-a real one). While some is reimbursable we may need to pay up front costs out of pocket. And there is the equipment needed such as netting for bugs, sleeping bags and tent, solar shower. Some we can pick up once there and other things here before we leave. Our invitation has a detailed list describing what is needed and suggested when to purchase.

We are talking to two people about sitting the house and waiting to hear. Then there is how to keep the vehicle tax current while out of the country for an extended time. Suzanne has asked her son about being a trustee and we are talking to the neighbors about ongoing mail and working with a local tax accountant to figure things out and watch over while we are gone. It is much simpler to do all of this in your twenties, but worth the effort.

We have been pruning as the property blooms and stops. Another burn pile is ready to go and we are planning to seal the windows, which we have discovered were not sealed properly between the vinyl siding and window frame. But the property is coming along.

This last week we did three beautiful bicycle rides. The first was seven miles on back-local roads around Brevard, a nearby town. The second was out through country roads for ten miles around Etowah. Today we did the Swamp Rabbit Trail connecting Travelers Rest, SC to Greenville, SC for about 11 or 12 miles. The last was the easiest along a paved path and almost no hill at all. Bicycle rides are nicer right now due to all the rain in the mountains. The hiking trails have turned into mud and water making for soggy hiking.

We are looking at different cost for going north to Maine for Suzanne's mother's birthday. We may drive, train, fly or a combination of all. We have been invited by friends to stop and say hello on our way up and down. And it will be over two years before we do this again, so we want to go and need to look at the pennies to figure out how we go.

I start a new job next weekend doing show and tell at Walmart. I will be one of those people offering treats while you shop or show you a new gismo to help around the house.

We look for sun and decide what to go play. It has been raining that much in WNC. But we are here and loving it.

Take Care

Marty

REALE ART: Moving and Arting

REALE ART: Moving and Arting: Made another belt, got a change to see the Boston Pops with my family as a birthday present for my mother. current news is I wi...

From the Author: Storyteller

Hello: It has been some time and much to share. I decided to go this format using a blog. It will be interactive and allow readers to comment on what is written. I will be using it to post some of the new stories I am working on or just sharing thoughts that may turn into stories. I cannot remember the last Friday note sent out. That shows how long it has been. I know it has been before we went to California because many of you were told Suzanne and I were coming. We had the pleasure of seeing many friends and visits with family. It was a very enjoyable trip and relaxing. We arrived on May 19th after getting up at 2:30 am that morning and arrived the same day around ten am. Chris, Suzanne's son met us at the airport and took us to Joyce's home where we all enjoyed a marvelous banquet. The next day we woke late after going to bed early. Over our jet lag we ventured out and continued to do so for the next two and half weeks. Activities included dinners with old friends, hikes in areas we use to frequent and catching up with family. We came back relaxed and ready to settle back into our home in Western North Carolina. Suzanne's daughter, Rosie graduated with honors from Sac State. The twins, Ella and Rosie are now overseas, Ella in Italy and Rosie in China working as counselors through a school program. Chris and his wife are enjoying life and he may be going over seas for another work assignment to help people keep their elevators going up and down. A story title floating around in my head is "The Snoring Possum". Another is the "Night Chatter on the Back Deck". As you can tell the influence is coming from the woods that surround our home and the visitors that frequent us. Suzanne and I are enjoying hikes and bike rides in the surrounding parks. We discovered Wintermint Falls in Dupont State Forest on Fathers Day. We found a black snake crossing the trail and the entire forest learned of our discovery when hearing our announcement. Today we joined another couple and hiked into Rainbow, Turtle and a third fall no one we asked knows its name. So it is the "Other Water Fall". Another aborted hike was the search for High Falls. We were told a short cut by a man on a horse who introduced himself and told us he was one of the people who kept the trails clear. After following the directions we turned around seeing the hour of the day and decided to try another time. Another planned hike is into Douglas Falls, a seventy foot water fall off the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is four miles down and four mile up but will be worth energy needed to reach it. The Peace Corp has not called so we do not know if we are leaving or not. Both of us would love to receive an invitation, but are content on enjoying our life here. Suzanne is enjoying her grand niece making a trip once a month to visit her niece and baby sit. Yes, I join her too and help. We are continuing the Wookie and poloties exercise lessons. We have been having regular thunder storms. Since we are high on the mountain. Lightening strikes nearby are common. One came on the hill just above our house, followed by a second strike. The house shook. The next day our neighbor up the hill told us they saw it hit. The house held and there were no leaks or trees falling on us, so we survived just fine. So, that is it for now. As said above I will be posting here. So to stay up on the adventures of Marty and Suzanne tune in here. Take Care Marty