I just realised this is my five hundredth post. That's a lot of me babbling about nothing in particular. A lot of lost teeth, haircuts, small children getting so much larger, and craft projects. And an awful lot of photos and memories I am grateful to have recorded here. To those of you who have been here to encourage this little blog along its way, thank you. This has become a very special corner in my life.
After a long and difficult journey, we have finally arrived in Oregon. It was worth it. We are enjoying spending time with my brother and mother, and many old friends. And we have taken to running about in the woods when we can.
1. The hall
For the first time in over ten years of living in Africa, I have malaria. And yes, it sucks just as much as they say it does. I will be back when those wonder drugs have done their stuff.
They have struck our house with a vengeance, Yesterday Asher was feverish and miserable. I had to carry him to the couch or bed or table. Bella took such good care of him-- reading stories, playing card games and bingo, bringing him toys or snacks.
Asher stayed home again today. We had a wonderful morning together yesterday, and today he just didn't seem himself, so he stayed home again. And a good thing too as he developed a fever. But not before we had a good time painting together.
The last day was the day of our descent. The minunu path is extremely steep, but beautiful. The whole way is through verdant, mossy forest, and much of it follows streams. I had to keep stopping to pet the moss or talk to the ferns, or admire a tree's particularly beautiful roots or buttresses. The air is so clean and pure and moist and fresh. I think I was meant to live someplace like this.
We woke up with the light before it broke over the peaks behind us. A magical dawn of fog and smoke on the land below us.
On the first day, we started from Mulli Brothers Tea Estate. There wasn't any tea to be seen, but it was hot and dry. We made our way up from among the housing through the millet fields. Have I mentioned how lovely the grass is right now?