Friday, September 28, 2007

Flooding in East Africa

People carrying bundles of their belongings on their heads crossing River Moroto [Pic: Hudson Apunyo]

Photo via BBC News.

Since returning, I have not said much about Uganda or told you much about the incredible organizations with whom I worked. Today, I have to share. Massive flooding in Uganda has left over 1/3 of the country depending on disaster relief. Many of those in the north who are displaced are now displaced again. There is a desperate need for medical supplies, in order to prevent further disease spread and death. ReNUH (Restoring Northern Uganda's Healthcare) is an amazing organization I saw on the ground and (after all the time I spent in the hospital with Joyce) believe in entirely. They are staging an emergency campaign to get medical supplies to those communities who need it most. They are gratefully accepting monetary donations as well as physical donations. And it's all tax deductible! There is a desperate need for:
  • Blankets
  • Clothing
  • Tarps
  • For malaria: Lumartem or other Artemesian-based combination therapies, insecticide treated mosquito nets
  • For cholera: Oral rehydration salts, IV fluids, ringer lactate
  • For respiratory infection: Ampicillin, penicillin, amoxicillin, choramphenicol, co-trimoxazole, (fever reducer) paracetamol
  • Other items: ARV's, anti-venom, deworming pills, water purification tablets, latex gloves
The situation is dire. If you are connected to a health care facility, or are moved to help in any way, learn more here. Your pennies can move mountains. Pass it on.


Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Summer Berries in the Early Fall


A few weeks ago M and I went to Delaware to visit family. Cousins, cousins, and more cousins!! A grand time was had by all, especially during our afternoon berry-picking, which ended in berry-stained fingers, berry cobbler, berry preserves, and berry vinaigrette (with spinach and berry salad, of course!). I loved the late afternoon light on the berry patches.

Monday, September 24, 2007

Play



I LOVE this. Turn up the volume and check it out. Only 2 minutes long. Nature is amazing.

Anyone who has a pet can testify that play is not exclusive to humans. And, in the wild, different species often are at odds. But, Stuart Brown witnessed something different. Here, he describes Norbert Rosing's striking images of a wild polar bear playing with sled dogs in the wilds of Canada's Hudson Bay.



Overheard

Standing on the metro this weekend, headed to Eastern Market (which is the same direction as the stadium), I was beside two very, very enthusiastic sports fans. These two freckle-faced boys must have been about 10-11 years old, and just couldn't sit still, the excitement was too great! When one of their mothers insisted that they calm down (or there wouldn't be any game to attend), the boys slumped down in their metro chairs, temporarily defeated.

Looking around, the boys observed the train full of rush hour commuters. I held my book, and balanced beside the door. Several young women in suits chatted about a briefing on the Hill. Many city dwellers listened to their music, leaving the day's work behind them, including a very handsome, silver-haired, blue-suited gentleman sitting directly next to the boys.

"You know what I wonder?" one said to his friend. "You know what I REALLY wonder?"
"What?" replied his friend, with shrug.
"Well, I wonder what old people listen to on their ipods anyway. What do they listen to? I mean, it's weird. It's like.....they like music or something."

I almost laughed aloud. It was just too funny. Instead, I exited at Eastern Market with the handsome silver-haired gent and his leather cased ipod, and wondered: what was he listening to, anyway?

Probably a book on tape.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Goodbye, Summer. Hello, New Year.










Hello, Friends. Over the past many months I have left this space empty. I've needed the time and distance to think, to ground myself. This summer was, for me, a long meditation on a knot of big and small questions that has lead to now: the Jewish New Year. I always find the new year to be a centering time, and that has never been more true than this year. I am excited about re-inhabiting this space -- filling it with ideas, friends, creativity and life, and moving forward into the new year.

This past weekend the weather here in DC broke, and just that quickly, summer is officially over. I love the feeling of fall-on-its-way. Here, before the leaves turn color, a few pictures of the past few months, including a trip home to California and traipses through Rock Creek Park here in DC. Would you believe it if I told you that the two middle, very green photos were taken a 10 minute walk from our apartment, directly off of one of the busiest streets in the city? Magic.