School project is coming along

 posts are in for fence mesh to be attached. The red posts, a little difficult to see against the red earth

This and that

 Akosua, a visitor to the office on Friday, she kept rubbing my hand, I wonder if she was trying to make the white go away

Elizabeth in her Canadiana mode

Curtains, Sunday after church work

With the sewing machine I can shorten the curtains that have dragged on the floor since their beginning.

 being shortened, notice the brown hue to curtain, the earth here is red and the breeze brings the dust into the house and everything gets covered, 

ta ta, white again and shortened .....yea team!!!

First time on 30 years

 I first came to Ghana in the spring of 1994. I have always been cautious that I not get into any trouble that would pose a danger to me. The house I live in has bars on every window like most houses here in town. My apartment in Sunyani was the same. I have been warned that thieves can reach in through the bars to take anything that is close to the window. 

So I was woke up early Monday morning, like around 3am and saw through my window a 3 inch diameter  long tree branch with sticky tape on the end picking up my I pad that was beside me on the bed.  (I am known for my repertoire of 4 letter words) so I grabbed the stick and pulled it into my bedroom along with letting a rip of 4  letter  words fly out the window. I was pleased that my I pad was safe but realize later that my new phone was gone off the dresser.  Could not go back to sleep so the 24 hour news channel out of Paris, France 24, kept me company until day light when  I went next door to Dean's house to report this happening. I have not done an all nighter for many years. Everyone is upset that it happened. It has been an interesting week since listening to similar situations. 

Security around the house has been evaluated, exterior lights have been replaced and will be on all night,  a system of immobilizing the sliding windows has been developed. New phone purchased with a backup phone in the drawer.  

All is well again, I am safe, and my stuff is secure, but it was a little jarring to say the least.

As annoying and upsetting as this was, I feel that this incident needs to be kept in perspective, first time in 30 years, I am fine and my house is more secure. 

a long story

 the Anglican Primary School next door to the diocese has looked shabby for many years. The government claims free schooling here but only gives funds for teachers and very little else so building maintenance is left undone. When I had a conversation with the new Headmistress  Millicent she claimed the enrollment is low because the school does not have fencing on the playground the the buildings badly need to be painted She drew up a proposal and the startup funding was found so the project has started.

The project is in 3 phases; level the playground, erect a chain link fence with metal posts in concrete, paint the buildings inside and out

Pictures will tell the tale. 

FORMERLY....

PLAYGROUND HAS LEVELED AND OLD FENCE TAKEN DOWN, TREES UPROOTED

one Sunday the chain saw worked from 6am to dark around 6pm, a front end loader pushed the trees over and the whole playground was leveled. Now the kids play soccer every day until dark with sticks for goal posts and sometimes chalk to line the goal areas.  Will keep you posted as to the progress with the fence and painting. Still need funds for fence and paint, if you would like to assist, cheques to 52 Belmont Ave. Hamilton L8L 7M1.A  I can not give tax receipts.

a shout out to my grandson Cameron

 who turned nine on the 6th     Yea Cameron!!!!!!!

a short story

 I have used a sewing machine since the age of 10, my maternal grandmother was a sewer (worked a sweat shop on Spadina for many years making undergarments for ladies, one day they asked her age and she was 74 yrs. so they had her retire, much to her dismay), anyway, she taught me how to use a sewing machine which was a treadle. So I have used a machine for many years. All this preamble to the fact that I had a sewing machine shipped this year that I had been given from Jane. The hydro here is 220 and in Canada it is 110 so a step down is needed to use it here. Finally last week I got a step down and last night decided to put everything together to sew. The step down was fine but it took me two hours including finding the manual on google (thanks for inventing google, it saves the day and my sanity often) to thread the machine. Frustrating to say the least BUT I won and it work like a charm.

Now what did I do before the machine in the past years....... staples to the rescue. I shortened my sheer curtains by running a line of staples along. It may be primitive but it works!

   

step down - 220 w.  electricity from the wall plug is downgraded to be 110w

                    when it gets to the sewing machine