Diversion

Longtime Farm Management friends Bob and Liz Cowan pose in front of their home here in Joburg. Liz's kitchen is our favorite restaurant. First time in two years, I play tennis, with new missionaries at Old Edwardian Club. Thank you, Dr. Beals, for a foot that is still working after last year's surgery. USU agricultural economist Bruce Godfrey and John pass judgment on Austrian Pinzgauer cattle at Pretoria Agricultural Show. Can you identify the birds? Baby emu.

Bryanston Organic Market

At the Bryanston Organic Market, open Thursday and Saturday, you can eat a full breakfast for US$5, shop for wildlife photograpy by Colin Mead [our July visit to Madikwe Game Reserve coincided with one of his several=he was a dear to share photography tips],
feel safe.

More Hospital View

More helping hands plant vegetable garden [our lovely, spacious church building in background, awaiting more benches to be filled]. We become attached to fine young missionaries like Elder Markham and Rijken. Paleza, mother of four, is one of my Sunday piano students. Our local Relief Society Presidency poses in front of General Relief Society President portraits.

Hands

The sign to the ladies' room near Swaziland candle factory is a work of art in its own right? Our LDS Hospital View Ward joined forces with Reformed Methodist Church to plant a vegetable garden for hospice patients.

Swaziland - Dinner at Summerfield Botanical Gardens

Spectacular Summerfield Botanical Gardens felt like it was all Africa had to offer, in a cleaned up, spit and polished enchanting setting. Even the bathrooms were elegant! Dinner for two was USD25.00!

Swaziland - Ezulwini Stalls near The Gables Shopping Center

The women tending small shops are amazing. Woman in top photo reports her mother weaves these woolen wall hangings. John makes friends with a woman who farms, raising corn on land rented from the king. She needs more chickens to make it profitable [and she has a brood of six kids under her wings]. It looks like John is giving her the "We Do Hard Things" talk, but she actually is teaching him something about hard things. Last photo shows preferred packaging material: good old newspaper.

Swaziland - Glass Factory

My longtime Book Club friend Judy and husband Rich, living here in Joburg on LDS Church assignment, invited us for a quick two-day tour of Swaziland, "mostly to shop." First stop is the Ngwenya Glass Factory, where craftsmen fashion unique sculptures of African animals. Judy serves tuna and avocado on whole grain bread, an African tail gate! [I'm reverting to Picasa four pictures per posting. If I ever become brave, I'll edit with additional photos.]