Gorillas and Chimps, Queen Elizabeth Park in Western Uganda

Up close and personal, these animals captivated the three of us.  Betty applied for the permits early because of group size limitation.   For the chimps, the guide used a machete to forge a path to follow chimp sounds.  

Following the fresh path did not present a problem but the stinging ants were horrid!  Anyone who did not have their pants tucked into their socks had to deal with these tiny creatures wrecking havoc even though everyone brought heavy-duty OFF.  The insecticide did nothing!   When we found a family of chimps, out came the cameras and the ants seemed to go away.  

The goriolas -- the 8 families including the silverback live at various levels in the highly protected area called the impenetrable forest.  We chose to track the gorillas at the lower level however, people hike as long as 5 hours to track the gorilla families living higher up the mountains.   The gorillas were there awaiting our group of six.  As the guide said, they would probably party with us for about an hour and then leave which is exactly what happened. 

Betty Kimeriembe, Extraordinarry Woman of Uganda

Hardneck Garlic, Last of the Season

Harvested in July, today is January 26th

See the hard neck?

When we moved into the home we built for Mim, my dear friend Jennie King presented me a house gift, several beautiful, huge garlic bulbs, 'music' hardneck.  Jennie explained the bulbs were not to be eaten, the cloves were to be planted.  That was the beginning of my falling in love with this particular variety of garlic.  Each July I order two pounds of  bulbs from Peaceful Valley which arrive in October.  Ordering early is important because this particular variety sells out quickly.   Each garlic bulb contains 4 or 5 large cloves to be planted  in compost enriched soil no more than three weeks after they arrive.   Garlic is easy to plant. Each clove goes into a hole the depth of the clove spaced about 6 inches apart and watered thoroughly.   In early Spring the green leaves peek through the soil and in June, the scapes appear delicious raw or stir-fried.   

Hardneck garlic scapes --- delicious.

Thank you, dear friend Jennie. 

My Mother, Myself

Remember Nancy Friday's book, My Mother, Myself, written in the early 70's?  Grandma Mimi, my dear mom who passed away at the age of 94 and lived with us for 4 years after having been in a facility in Cleveland for over 10 years due to a breakdown, comes into my consciousness often.    

When visiting her at Eliza Jennings, a facility that met her needs beautifully, often she would take sponge baths which now I find myself doing.  In the winter, sponge baths are the way to go! 

A phone conversation with Mim when she was about 65 with panic in her voice -- "Judy, I'm going bald."  At the time I laughed.  My hair is thinning  as well but I do not give a hoot.


Before Mim's breakdown, she used to put tape on the tips of her nails to prevent them from splitting. My nails are splitting but keeping them polished helps.  Also diet.  And red wine!  Ha ha. 

Miraculously, Mim kept her figure until her passing.  I have to watch what I eat so I do not turn into a blimp.  Sometimes I binge on Ritz Crackers, lo fat of course.    Ed relishes sweets.  I envy him.  He has a slight paunch but because of his height, it doesn't look bad in the least.  

Before Mim's illiness and when she visited, she would bring a package of Handi Wipes because I preferred using only a sponge in the kitchen.  She was handicapped without her Handi Wipes. I am doing the same with my daughter because I can't get along with out them!  Through the years I've become a Handi Wipe lover.  I tell our granddaughters, Handi Wipes rock so when they spill something they say "Meema, get the Handi Wipes!  They rock."
  

Betty Kimeriembe's Adopted Children

Angella at St. Mary's Boarding School near Entebbe

Sandra and Moses at their boarding
school in Rukungeri with Gretchen

Betty Kimeriembe, Gretchen's friend who was named on our visas as our sponsor, is the most unforgettable woman I have ever met.  Her 55 years encompasses a roller coaster life with ups and downs with the downs overwhelming and leaving me breathless.  as i learned adopted Angella and her two younger siblings Sandra and Moses all of whom are at boarding schools.   Gretchen subsidizes Angella's tuition at St. Mary's, one of the best schools in Uganda.  

Joann, Betty's daughter found Angella with Sandra and Moses walking around Rukungeri when Joann was a teenager.  The 3 children were orphaned after their grandmother died.  Betty thinks Angella was about  6 years old, Sandra was 4, and Moses 2.  When Joann spoke with her mother about the orphans, Betty adopted all three.    
(more about visit to St. Mary's here)