Thankful

As Thanksgiving has come and gone I often am reminded, like tonight of the variety and power that life has to offer. As I sat by the fire reading my latest find and listening to the power of the rain hitting the earth and spatter down off the gutter-less roof, how beautiful and calm life can be. How immense the world is and the hidden joys that force your senses to remember why it is you take a chance at this thing called...life!

And now as I write I am joined by my best companion, one that crosses boundaries of species. I sit and write with breaks every couple words to reach down and pick up the "twisty tie" that Sebastyan brings to me...this is her favorite toy to play fetch with. And the boundaries she crosses...well did I mention that she is a cat, and yes she really does play fetch, a game she learned as a kitten when I would open my mail. The sound of ripping paper is a trigger and if you roll it into a ball she enthusiastically jumps, and runs and is very fond to forget that she is not a dog...and I love that about her.

I must say honestly that the surprises of life and the constant change, even though at times scary, is truly what makes it worth living. Constant comfort and fear to try new things I hope to always keep at bay, I love the adventure!

New to Blogging

It amazes me how hesitant I am about opening up and letting the literary need flow out onto paper/screen in cyberspace. I love to write, I am a passionate writer...yet blogging has been a learned challenge. I hope to remedy this from this post forth!

recollecting the vision of Morocco:

As I exited the flight, there was a round man standing at about 5'5" holding a small white sign directing us to the VIP section. My shoes made a quite clink as I walked, step over step to a secluded door. I hesitantly handed over my passport to a man who quickly walked out of the room leaving us to soft leather couches and green tea brewed with fresh mint and much sugar. ( a wonderful daily occurrence throughout my ventures in Morocco as tea is tradition, and those who know me, well my soul is not complete without tea to say the least).

The small tubular glasses that the tea called home warmed my hands and my heart and within minutes I felt a comfort and almost, as the saying goes, at home. The delicately engraved silver tea pot with a 6 inch long spout came to refill my disappearing liquids. The smell of slow brewed tea leaves can not pass through your olfactory glands without causing an unintended smile, and yes they are contagious, and the tea pourer knew precisely why a smile crossed my face at that moment...and then I understood the custom of tea to strangers. It crosses the language barrier and causes warmth between cultures with no use of words or heavy explanation, just a simple sip will do!

I hope you get the chance to enjoy a great cup of tea today, I am off to have one!

Orphanage in LaAyoune

There is so much that occurred in a small 9 day period in Africa, so I will write about pieces or my blog would become a book!

Down in South Morocco in a city called LaAyoune we were lucky to meet with many people, their La Wal (above what we call Governor) and many people that were victims from the Camps in Tindufu, and hospitals, and then the orphanage of "abandoned children."

A lot of the work I do through Highwire and threading hope is in orphanages and hospitals so it was great to get to see the children. The orphanage itself is amazing clean and well organized, I was so impressed...and of course the child was so adorable. One little girl would not let me go staff had to come and pull her away...ouch to the heart strings.

This trip was amazing and had days full of hard to hear reality that we documented, to days full of hope with excitement from the Kings foundation for my art projects and quilts to come to the country again and help the people! I hope to be back there again within a year and start my work...there are over 202 orphanages...lots to do!

Morocco's Wonders

I am working on resting and re-acclimation to life at home. I had a wondrous trip to Morocco and met many amazing people, and there was also chance meetings like the one I had with the Women for Democracy, from Seattle, and we met at a woman of parliament's house in Morocco, life is full of great surprises.

will fill you in on greater detail once my mind fills back with complete thought is not fogged by exhaustion.

Africa is Here

Well, I have been waiting to hear this amazing news about Africa and moving forward in my ventures of Humanitarian work...and it is here!

I will be leaving on Nov. 5th and returning on the 14th with lots to tell you. I am heading to Morocco via Arizona, to Atlanta to Paris, and landing is Casablanca! I believe I will have internet access so I will be able to keep you posted, but if I can not I will be full of information upon my return!!