Steve and Barnabas in Tanzania

Again I find myself struggling to write something.  This time the problem is more the topic I want to breach.  Memorial Day versus Veteran’s Day.  This is Memorial Day weekend and I have often reposted several items discussing why being thanked for our service to the country makes a veteran uncomfortable on Memorial Day.  The arguments are often articulate, well researched and really don’t help because they don’t really convey just how difficult it is.  I understand everyone wants to show respect, and consider how many over the years have not it is great to get that.  This year it has been especially hard for me as this is thirty years since I lost my brothers in arms and despite what any of the mind doctors say it does not get easier it in some ways has gotten harder. So I am decided to express my feelings in a form that does sometimes help me.  My writing.   I wrote the following as a possible chapter in my book that would provide a chance for my characters to take a break an

I have to admit that despite trying to create recurring article pieces for the blog, I struggle with what to write about almost every week.  This week for instance I just don't have a lot to discuss on my mind.  So I will do one of those multi-topic type posts that hopefully cover most of the wanderings of my mind. First up is a big thank you to a private donation so that we could purchase a brand new binocular microscope with an LED light to take advantage of the solar power generation.  The picture is of Gifty testing it out.   Second some pictures from my recent trip (a month ago) to Arusha.  These are travel pictures and one features a Masai hut style home. This last week I finished up working on the door jamb to the medical ward clinic.  I am always amazed that every door jamb will incur termite damage and need to be replaced but all the door frames are made not to be removed.  To remove one you have to pull out a set of nails that serve no real purpose in

Welcome back to Conversations with Barnabas Bear. A couple of items up front, the conversation is fictional (hopefully that was obvious) but are pulled from some of my conversations and observations during my time here in Tanzania.  The main purpose of these is to help everyone get to know the people in Tanzania a little bit better while having a little bit of fun.  I would love some feedback on these so I know if I should continue and if so what types of conversations Barnabas needs to be having.  The stories are told from Barnaba’s point of view and because of that they are in English though I try to reflect some of the problems with the English translation. Meet Neema (which means Grace) and Chiku (which means chatterer or in some dictionaries it says canary).  They were along the dirt road Dad walks for exercise.  They were out herding the goats and cows for their family.  They are sisters and are about a year apart.  Chiku on the right is 10 and is in Standard 4 in scho