Monetary Adventures

The recent civil disruptions that followed the Kenyan elections hit me personally, for one of the very best students I've had returned to Kenya when she completed her degree here. As I heard about the disruptions, even killings, my heart jumped every time. It was very good to hear then from my former student that she was fine. But the reason she wrote us was to say that the problems in Kenya have led to disruption in education, and girls are being denied education now if they can't pay for it. She said it would be helpful to get the equivalent of 20,000 Kenyan shillings to pay for one semester's tuition to a girl. She thought this was about $250, but with the devaluation of the dollar, it turned out to be $284. My colleagues donated $330 and I added up to $400 and after 45 minutes, first on the Internet and then by phone to Western Union, I sent off the money to Kenya. Now I'll be waiting anxiously for the news that it has been received.

It is an amazing world we live in -- first that I would have a former student in Kenya, secondly that we can exchange communication via e-mail, and third that with my plastic card I can make money start its way to Kenya. Watch here for more news about what is to be done with the money.

Update on Squirrelly Adventures

A squirrel has been making its home in the basement. On numerous occasions I opened a window, hoping it would leave. It would be quiet for several days making me think I had been successful, and then again I would find signs it was still here. At work colleagues advised me to make certain it had no source of water, so I took the cat's water away, and let the cat drink only under my supervison. Still no sign of the squirrel thinking it would be a good idea to leave. So at last I went to Home Depot and bought a trap. I didn't think it would be good for the animal to be living in the warm house and then turned out in the sub-zero weather. But it tested my patience for the last time by tearing around in the kitchen overnight. So I baited the trap and within 12 hours had the squirrel caught. It seemed Ok with the idea, so I was planning to wait until tomorrow morning to let it go. However, this evening it got very upset -- just as information found on several web sites predicted would happen. So I took it for a ride and let it go along the Mississippi River Bank. Hope it is far enough away from here that it will not find its way back and find its way in again. Thus, hopefully ends the adventure with Mr. Squirrel. And I have a new skill -- trapping.

Visiting Europe without a Plane Flight

Last night my church returned to 1569 and held a dinner with King Sigismund and Queeen Isabella from Transylvania. We celebrated the first kingdom that declared religious freedom. Before dinner drinks were Hungarian wine and the unique plum brandy found in the Transylvania area. The dinner entree included Hungarian sausage, potatoes, salad, and two unique Hungarian dishes: goulash -- not what most Americans think of when they envision goulash -- and a wonderful mushroom dish. We were serandaded by strolling musicians. After dinner we adjourned to the nearby sanctuary area for Hungarian dancing. We returned to our table to find a wonderful chocolate torte. All of this plus wonderful conversation indeed made it an evening in Europe without the annoying plane flight.

Helping Adventure without Leaving Home

Have you seen www.freerice.com? This web site gives one a way to help people who lack food while staying in the comfort of one's home and at anytime one wishes. Take up this game and help people at the same time.

Pink Adventures

A few months ago my washing machine gave out. With plans to move, I decided not to buy a new one and simply use the laundromat for awhile. Not much fun in the winter obviously. I persuaded myself to go out this afternoon and get this chore done. Then on the way home I saw something that made the trip worthwhile. On the corner of Ford Parkway and Cleveland, a busy intersection in the Highland neighborhood of St. Paul, there on the sideway stands a big pink gorilla. A good news story includes who, what, where, why and how. Well, I can only tell you where and what. I certainly have no idea about the who, why and how!

And speaking of pink things. If you haven't found it, take a look at www.makeitrightnola.org
This gives all of us a chance for turning pink forms into houses for the people of New Orleans.

Only in Minnesota! Adventure Stays Here

Yesterday I left the house about 4 PM to go to church. I decided I didn't need a coat, I could get by simply with my suit jacket, the weather was warm. When I arrived back home about 6:30 PM my neighbors were just leaving their home and one remarked to other, "Well it is 40." This evening during the drive home I was listening to Minnesota Public Radio and the conversation was about the warm weather. The reporter on the radio said something like "Yesterday one didn't even need a coat." Certainly only in Minnesota would people start walking around without coats because it is 40 degrees outside!

Squirrely Adventures

After the holidays I was convinced the squirrel had left at some other time when I had opened the basement windows. After two nights of hearing unusual noises in the house -- this surely does nothing for rest!-- I did a tour of the basement and found convincing evidence that the squirrel is still in residence. I did some cleaning up -- think chewed up papers -- and opened two windows for awhile. I also have made several trips down to bang around with the broom handle. Who could have believed this?