Happy New Year Friends and Family!
If anyone had told me this time last year that I would spend New Year's in Nairobi, Kenya being kissed by a giraffe and eating a goat for dinner, I would've told them they were nuts. And yet.....
Mum Kate surprised the Hekima girls and I with a trip this afternoon to the Rothschild Giraffe Conservation Center. I had no idea such a place existed. You pull up, pay your admission, and in you go to get thiiiiis close to the giraffes. They have a 2-story building where you climb up the steps to see eye to eye with the giraffes. And when you arrive the guides hand you a scoop of what looks like duck food on steroids. The giraffes clearly know the drill because before you know it a couple of them are sticking their long necks over your way to say, "Hey, y'all." or however they translates to Swahili.
The little girls weren't too sure about this activity, but I scooped a couple of them up to get the experience anyway. You stick your hand out and the giraffe goes in for the sticky slurp with her big, gooey, rough tongue. One of the guides thought it would be a fine idea to put a piece of the food in our teeth and let the giraffe give the big wet kiss on the lips. Uh, I passed on that one, thinking it was enough to let Daisy swallow up my left hand. A real treat to see these magnificent creatures up close.
So, what of the goat?
Well, the day of surprises continued. I was doing some work on the computer when Mum Kate received a call from Mum Gladys, the Hekima program director. "Aren't you bringing Daryn up to see my land?" Gladys has bought a small piece of her heaven up in an area called the Ngong valley. It's up in the rolling green hills about 15-20 minutes from Hekima.
Since many more of the mums are returning from holiday, we were able to leave the girls and head up that way. It's a beautiful piece of land overlooking rolling green hills. Gladys is saving to one day put her dream 2-BR home on the property. All this apparently called for celebration. Mum Kate decided to treat Gladys, me and the two men working on the shed on the property to dinner, so off we went to the town of Ngong. Gladys swore she knew a place that prepared the most delicious Choma.
Now, I've been here long enough to know that Choma means grill, as in grilled meat. What I didn't realize until a bit later is what exactly they grill. So we show up at this place, go past these curtains down this dark hallway until Gladys picks this private booth, room thing made of plywood. The whole time she keeps saying, "Don't worry, you're safe. Don't worry, you're safe." Honestly, I wouldn't have worried if she hadn't kept assuring me how safe we were.
We 5 sit down. The waiter comes in and asks in Swahili what we'd like to order. Gladys asks, "Do you want goat?" Truth be told, there had been some mention of goat before this point, but I thought they were joking or that there would be a choice or a tasting menu. "Do they have something else, like beef?" I asked. The answer comes back in Swahili, "You want beef it takes 3 hours. Goat takes 45 minutes." God only knows where they would be going to get that beef. I was already pretty tired at this point, so, okay...Goat it is. I was trying not to think of all those cute goats I've seen scampering up the streets of Nairobi for the last two weeks.
45 minutes, Africa time,you know is going to mean an hour, plus. Plenty of time for the workers Robert and Peter to laugh at me, the American squirming at the idea of eating goat. You know the old line, "it tastes like chicken?" Well, the Kenyan version is "it tastes like sheep." I think he meant lamb. "Only it's sweeter," he assures me. I think of my mother's lamb chops that were always cooked extra extra extra well done, as Kenyan food is always cooked and think, "uh, maybe I can do this."
Some time later, the curtain parted, a man steps in holding a steaming platter with two slabs of meat on it. "This is Paul," Gladys says. "The man or the goat?" I want to know with a lump in my throat. Oh, she got a big roar of a laugh out of that one. (It was the man.)
Paul took out a big machete thing and started chopping away. First, came the ribs. Yes, ladies and gentleman I ate goat ribs for New Year's dinner. And I'm here to tell you, Peter was right on. It was really delicious. In fact, it does taste like a very mild lamb....only sweeter. And whatever wood they cook it over gives it a wonderful smokey taste. No sauce, no nothing. Just a little salt on the side of the platter, if you feel like sprinkling. My late father, Stuart, would've loved it. I think my brother, Mark, would've liked it, as well, as he can appreciate good grill. My mother would've gagged. I thought it a wonderful and delicious adventure. Everyone was pleased that I loved the goat. Although, I was warned that I can't expect goat to always be as good as it is at this little dive Choma place. So, I'm not to go ordering goat unsupervised. I'll try to restrain myself.
Just about 24 hours from now, I'll be getting on a plane and beginning my journey back to Atlanta. New Years Day promises to be a busy one. Turns out there's another woman who I profiled on DarynKagan.com who happens to be visiting Kenya. Annette Biggers is the wonderful wedding photographer from SoCal who has donated cameras and laptops to people in Africa. I received an email from her right before leaving and realized she and her family would be in Kenya at the same time. They want to stop by in the morning.
Then, all of Hekima Place is invited to an auntie's house for New Year's Day lunch. Not sure what that means, but I'll get back to you.
And as we were driving to the giraffes, 7-year-old Diana was very excited to tell me that every volunteer gets her own birthday party on the last night they are here, including their own cake and songs sung just for them. "Is that supposed to be a surprise for me?" I asked. "Yes," she confirmed. Oh well, there goes that surprise. Still, I think it is going to be wonderful, as has all of this trip.
As I wrap up my email blogging back home, let me just say a big "Thank YOU" to all of you for letting me share my journey. I realize I'm one of the lucky few who gets to take such a trip and sharing it makes it mean everything.
I wish everyone the happiest and healthiest of 2009, and keep in mind...you never know what you will be doing next new years, as my trip shows.
You can all breathe easy. I'm talking about all of you who were worried about my potential instant driving lesson I was to get Sunday morning. Remember? They drive on the other side of the road here? I needed to help out Mum Gladys and go with her and Baby Johnny to her church, while Mum Kate took all the other girls to Catholic Church. The choices were: Let me drive or have Mum Gladys drive with Johnny strapped to my lap. The concept of car seats for kids doesn't exist here. If you take a look at the first picture I've sent along, you'll see the solution...Door #3 (as my friend Lisa likes to say--the choice you don't think is there.) We let 18-month-old Johnny drive!
Well, of course, not really, but that is one cute pic, as he has discovered where the horn is. Like little boys everywhere he is fascinated with anything cars. Calls it, "Boo!" And thank goodness for that Boo love affair because it meant he actually happily sat on my lap (usually screams when a white lady holds him) and yes, he was indeed strapped on my lap in the front seat of this little car. I know. I know. I hear all mothers of young children cringing...that's just how they do it here. Hope it helps to know that Gladys' church isn't that far away from Hekima Place. Just down the road, actually.
It has been a fascinating part of this journey to see how other cultures and different faiths worship God. I think I mentioned earlier that the Catholic Church service seemed pretty close to what I've experienced in the States and other parts of the world. The Deliverance church seemed to have much more flair. A pastor that took up much of the service with his sermon about having and sustaining faith. He cited the Old Testament, the passages where the Hebrews get really ticked w/Moses for leading them out of Egypt to some so-called promised land. "You took us from that for this???" Didn't seem like such a great bargain at the time. Very interesting how the pastor wove in Kenya's turbulent history that started the year. Also interesting sight and sound---the service climaxes with music that gets louder and louder and the pastor asks everyone to pray at once...not unheard of...except there, here--everyone prays aloud. Room just gets louder and louder the more folks pray and the energy builds to a point where it feels like every single person's prayer will have to come true now!
That leads me today which was a most sobering day, indeed. A place that needs the prayers of the world. Mum Gladys took me into the slums of Kibera. I don't think the word "slum" really does it justice. It is dirt road after dirt road of little shanties, most made of rusted corrugated metal. It's an area smaller than NYC's Central Park with as many as 1 million people living there.There is no electricity, or plumbing. Most people relieve themselves in plastic bags and fling that waste out their front door. Trash lines the streets.
Mum Gladys took me by one children's home in the middle of Kibera. It was a 2-story heap of rusting junk metal. No windows. Waste water streaming out from the bottom. You couldn't see any children, but you could hear endless kids' voices echoing from the other side of the metal wall. My heart broke for those kids. Some of the girls at Hekima were rescued from this home.
It took us well over an hour to get through the streets. We were stopped by a traffic jam of wild goats eating waste in the middle of the street. We were "carjacked" by 5 little kiddie con artists. The oldest couldn't have been more than 7. Any child spies a Mzungo (white person) riding in a car and yells out sweetly, "Ow are you?" Anyhow, this little gang of 5 sold Mum Gladys some story how they just needed a ride down the road. Mum has worked with kids for years and saw right through them, but let the 5 of them pile in our back seat, anyway. We took them about a half mile down the road and made them get out. Mum says that might've been the first time any of them have ridden in the back of a car. The price of the ride was letting me take their picture. Like most kids, they were happy to oblige. But in general, Gladys strongly encouraged me to keep a low profile with my camera. She explained that folks can get very aggressive and could stone the car. Love you guys, love reporting an important story, but uh, not about to get stoned to death just to get a pic.
You can imagine how great it was to get back here to the safe, comfortable and nurturing surroundings of Hekima which feels like the pastoral countryside compared to Kibera. We got back in time for dinner, in time for that ritual that I love where each girl shares, "I had a good day because...." Sounds like there was a big game of playing house going on here while were were gone. Ciko had a good day because she was the mommy and Stacy was the auntie and someone was the daddy and someone in there was the maid. From living in the slums to having hired help. Wow. "And that is why I had a good day." Which, as always, was followed with "Hipp! Hipp! Hooray!"
It is funny to see something universal with kids everywhere. Little girls like to play house and mommy. Like other kids around the world, these little girls laugh when someone farts. Only they don't say, "f-a-r-t." They say, in their sweet Swahili accents, "Who pollyuted the air?" (there's some extra syllable in 'pollyuted,' but I can't pronounce it.)
And like kids everywhere, they put crazy stuff in their mouth. What is with that? The more chokeable the better. One day I saw 7-year-old Diana was chewing on some bright orange thing. I stopped her and asked, "What is that in your mouth?" She reached in a pulled out a soggy, chewed up piece of a soft book cover. The book she was holding which I could now see had a chunk missing. "It is a piece of this booook," she answered. I looked at her in disbelief. She looked back at me and said, "You ahsked." Yeah, I guess I did. Ask a stupid question...get a stupid answer.
I'll wrap it up with that and send good wishes...Hope everyone is enjoying their final days of 2008.
Okay...first up--it's time for one of you to fess up! Who called Kenya and warned them about my cooking? At the end of yesterday's email I was all excited telling you how I had been assigned to cooking duty here at Hekima Place for today? Granted, I did ask for prayers protecting the precious little girls from my not so famous cooking abilities. But I did believe I was up for the task.
Then, suspiciously, today as the day begins, I find instead of cooking, I will be handling laundry. Hmmmmmm. Me thinks something's not right in Nairobi!
Laundry here is it's own adventure. A funky machine hooked up to a hose. You have to fill the machine with water from the hose, add the powdered soap, set a timer so that an aggressive mixing mechanism beats the heck out of the clothes for 15 minutes. Come back to flip another switch to drain the water. Come back again to repeat the wash cycle. Fill up tub again to rinse. Come back to drain. Repeat. Then transfer clothes to a spin bin to get excess water out. Then you take the clothes out to a clothes line to dry. As you can see from one of the pictures, I had some good helpers tagging along for my chores.
All that laundry can make us girls hungry. Many thanks to little Cindy who decided to throw us an impromptu breakfast party. She explaind that each playdough cup was a cake and that nut you see at each place setting is each person's egg. And you have to love this--she even garnished each place setting w/a bouganvilla flower. A little Martha Stewart in the making! The doll on Teresa's lap is Baby Mary, or "bebby Meddy," as they say. Very important to keep it down around here, as I was reminded many times, "bebby Meddy is sah-leeeeepeeeeng! SHHHHHHH!" Yes, ma'am.
The highlight of this Saturday has to be tonight's outing to The Shade Hotel. Interesting name, since it is neither a hotel, nor in the Shade. But it is the establishment at the end of the road you turn on to get to Hekima Place. A restaurant with a big dance floor in the middle. We went for supper of chicken and chips (french fries.) and danced the night away. Well, the little ones tried to show me some moves. Kind of funny, first would be Swahili hip hop song, followed by Madonna's "Holiday!" And lest you fear these little girls don't know their mind, just watch 7-year-old Ciko march up to one of the waiters and asking in Swahili for the kind of song she wants him to put on.
Prayers tonight will be for our big adventure tomorrow morning. Mum Kate is loading up most of the girls and taking them to the Catholic Church we went to on Christmas morning. However, Mum Gladys goes to Deliverance church and really wants to get back to that. She was a good sport and went Catholic on Christmas. That leaves the question of BAby Johnny, the 18-month-old little boy they are watching here. Too much for Kate to handle herself and Gladys can't drive and hold him. (car seat??? not a concept around here.) That means Gladys needs me to go with her to the Deliverance church. That means I will either have to hold Johnny on my lap (usually, not a big deal for me. And I've made friends wi/Johnny, as I've been sleeping in the same room with him for the last 3 nights. He'll let me play, "this little piggy" with him. and he likes to play with my "GoGo's" --sunglasses. but he squirms and screams whenever a Mzungu -white person--tries to hold him. So....I either get that....or Mum Gladys and Johnny will have to hold on for dear life while I get my instant lesson in driving on the other side of the road. As with this entire journey...should be oh so interesting!
Happy day after Christmas.
Turns out some things are universal. The day after the big day, the big adults are spent. After a fine villa vacation, and 2 days of non-stop Christmas, today was a day to calm things down and just kind of hang around. In other words, "Kids, it's time to go back to entertaining yourself. The big people have some catching up to do."
There actually were fewer kids around, as a few more took off to go visit their extended families. The women who run this home explain that it's important for these girls to keep up a bond with with they come from, as one day they will be grown and must be connected to somewhere. This is a tribal society and without a people and place to belong to you are lost. It's a tough balancing act, across the board, they are sending to less desireable living conditions and worse food and love. Yet, I understand the importance. And clearly, there are some girls who come from situations so terrible, there is no way they are going back. These are the wonderful girls who are still here this holiday and the ones I get to spend time with.
Mum Gladys had a lot of work to do in the kitchen, Mum Kate needed to catch up on office work. That left me, Mum Daryn to supervise the kids. Let's see, there was the PlayDoh birthday party where the 4-year-olds made me a cake out of PlayDoh, stuck sticks in it for candles and sang me, "Happy Birthday!" The game was topped off with a chorus of "How old are you now? How old are you now? How old are you now? How old are you now?" I asked them how old they think I am. The general consensus was 22. And you wonder why I love these kids? Then, there was huge imploring, "Mum Dad-deen, make a weeeeeesh. Make a weeeeesh!" And of course, I had to "blow out" the candles made of sticks.
I was feeling a little bad for Vallary, the 13-year -old. She is now the last big girl left. The other two, Nancy and Pauline left for a couple of days to visit an uncle and grandmother. Vallary had told me she wants to be a journalist when she grows up. That gave me the perfect inspiration. I've brought along two video cameras. One, is fancy schmancy, on loan from my photographer/editor, Brian Kosisky (Brian--I'm taking great care of it!) I also brought my little home video camera. I showed Vallary how to use it and declared, "You are now a journalist. Go shoot whatever you want. Just give me the camera when you are done." She took to it like a duck to water, pulling each little girl aside and interviewing them. Not surprisingly, the little ones are very at ease with the one they consider their big sister. They share with her things like their age, their "best food," and what they want to be when they grow up. I definitely will incorporate her video into DarynKagan.com stories when I get home.
Interesting note from the dinner table--Understandably, there is a lot of pressure here to finish everything on your plate, as everything is considered a precious resource. It struck me as me as kind of funny the first time I heard Mum Kate say sternly to one of the girls, "Don't you know there are children starving in Kibera?" Now, don't get me wrong--it's not funny that there are children starving in Kibera. Rather, that she obviously can't say what so many of us heard growing up as children in the US, "Don't you know there are children starving in Africa?" Uh, because obviously we ARE in AFRICA. So, Kibera, it is. Kibera, by the way is Nairobi's largest slum. Mum Gladys feels it's very important for me to see and promises to take me before I leave. It's where most of these girls come from and she says I will be shocked at the contrast. I can only imagine.
Being Miss Sunny Personality, I thought, there has to be a positive way to encourage finishing all on the plate, so I introduced the concept of a Happy Plate. My family learned this tradition when my little sister, Kallan, went to nursery school. If a child finished everything on her plate, the teachers would say, "Hooray! You made a Happy Plate!" This idea is going over very well, and there have been many proclomations of "I made a Happy Plate" around the table.
I will ask for your prayers and blessings for tomorrow's activities, as it appears we are short-staffed and I will be doing the cooking. Hold on, all you who are getting on the next plane to spare these poor girls from such abuse--Mum Gladys will be in the kitchen supervising me the entire time. She says she needs the day to hose down the kitchen from top to bottom and that's why she can't actually cook. We had an intro lesson for tonight's dinner of chicken and rice and spinach, which she prepares brilliantly. But she does that thing all you cook-people do--"Now you put in some onions. Now you put in some rice. Now you put in some water." AAAAAck!!!! How much????? And don't give me that, "You just kinda know." As I said, prayers and positive thoughts will be appreciated.
Sounds like I had better go get some rest!
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to one and all!
It has been a busy and delightful one here at Hekima Place in Karen, Kenya.
Much of the activity started during the day yesterday on Christmas Eve day. There were a zillion presents to wrap. Shoot, it would take the whole day to wrap only what my wonderful friends sent with me. Even the wrapping is done differently here. No big rolls from Costco or Target. Out comes the big box of previously used wrapping paper. Just to wrap a present I had to go on a hunt to find the right pre-used, pre-cut size. I'm telling you--finding that right piece alone each time felt like finding a treasure!
I took a break from all the wrapping to take an outdoor lunch with the 6 and 7 year old girls. They were particularly excited to have me eat with them because of what was being served. Ever since I arrived, I've heard about this food called "ugali." It is to the Kenyans what rice is to the Chinese--the stuff you serve to fill up your belly. It's basically the corn grain like Southerners use to make grits, mixed with water and baked. Kenyans love the stuff. The home founder, Kate Fletcher, who happens to love everything Kenyan, can't stand it. Ever since I arrived, I've been hearing about how bad and tasteless it is.
In fact, conveniently, as lunch was about to be served yesterday, Kate suddenly had to go to town to do some shopping. "Don't you want to stay for lunch?" I asked. "Absolutely not," was her instant reply. So off she went to town, as off I went to the lawn area to eat al fresco with the little girls. Mum Gladys served me up a big plate that a big helping of this fried spinach-kale-tomato-onion mixture next to a big chunk of what looked like white styrofoam. The little girls were already giggling at Mum Daryn and made sure to show me how to eat it. You break off a piece of ugali and scoop up some of whatever is served with it.
I'm pleased to say I actually liked the stuff. I actually don't see what the big deal is since the ugali itself doesn't really taste like anything, only whatever you mix it with. and that spinach-kale stuff is pretty yummy. Mum Gladys came out from the kitchen to check on us. I was very pleased to report to her that I actually like ugali. She about fell over. "You are the first Mzungu (white person) to ever do so!" She exclaimed. "You have made history here in Kenya! We must put you in the Guiness Book of World Records!"
Christmas Eve was far more traditional in the American sense. We had spaghetti with meat sauce, decorated the tree, and Mum Kate announced that I would paint each of the girls' fingernails so that they would look extra nice when they crossed themselves in church the next morning. Mum Daryn's nail salon was open for business! The girls loved it. Even the little ones sat there with their fingers spread out on the table so as to not smudge their one layer of "cutex" (that's what they call nail polish). The big girls got to have their toes done, as well.
Today, Christmas morning, was unlike any the girls have ever experienced. When they came down to breakfast, they each had a single present waiting on their place-setting. It's not that they've never received Christmas presents. Rather, they like to wait until Jan. 5th when ALL the girls are back and they open as a family. The idea of getting to open something on Christmas morning in addition to the present they will be getting about blew their sweet little minds.
Mum Kate was pretty stern with me that it had to be small. Maybe a shirt or top. I picked out and wrapped one for each girl. And okay, confession, snuck in a pencil, a glow in the dark bracelet, stick on earrings for the little ones and necklaces for the big girls. It seemed to take forever to open each precious gift. First, each girl waits patiently, one-by-one for her turn to open. And then there is the issue of that wrapping paper. They won't tear a thing because they know it will be reused yet again, so they peel off each piece of tape. Every girl was delighted with her package. As each held up her opened gift, the rest of the girls would exclaim, "WOW!"
There is one little boy here, Baby Johnny, 18-months old, an orphan the home is watching over. He is soon to be adopted by a Canadian couple. I gave him the snuggy, floppy stuffed dog that my 11-year-old nephew Jack sent along. It was a big hit as well.
Oh, and Mum Kate and Mum Gladys loved the super soft bathrobes I brought over from the states (Mum Kate had to explain what a bathrobe is and why you use it).
There wasn't much time before the girls had to rush upstairs to put on their best dresses. Off we went to the Catholic church, Our Lady Queen. Most of the service was in English, some of the songs sung in Swahili. The music accompiament featured and a small electric keyboard, a tambourine, and congo drums. The congreation was mostly dressed in their best Western style clothing, but there was also some magnificent women in traditional Kenyan dress as well. Very nice. The glow in the dark bracelets proved to be a bit of distraction for the bored little ones and Mum Kate ended up confiscating them before the service was over. Oops. Sorry.
Christmas supper was huge: ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, peas, cole slaw. And for dessert, 4 of the little girls helped me bake brownies. It is just so darn cute to see them licking their fingers and the bowl. Uh, yeah, they caught onto that tradition pretty darn quickly.
All in all a lovely holiday. I am surrounded by gifts and loving little girls who adore cuddling, giggles and playing jokes on Mum Daryn.
I hope all of you are having a lovely holiday, as well, with the time difference, yours is just gearing up as ours is gearing down.This has already turned out to be quite the wonderful adventure with the spirited girls of Hekima Place.
I arrived safely and easily into Nairobi on Saturday morning. Just as promised, there was someone to meet me and and whisk me off to Hekima Place which is about a 40 minute drive through the crazy roads and streets of Nairobi. Good thing I wasn't driving as I didn't realize, as former British colony, they drive on the other side of the road here! Beep! Beep!
The founder, Kate Fletcher, greeted me with a big hug and was kind enough to let me get some rest before we loaded up the 13 girls in the van and headed off on our big vacation.
This is a wonderful group of girls. 13 in all, ages 3-14. There are more than 54 girls at the school. All the others have extended family to spend the holiday with. These girls either have no one in the world or just can't bear the thought of of going back from they come.
Enough of the tears. I have to say with all due respect to all my children who I have and love back home, these girls are some of the best behaved and most loving kids I've ever met.
First comes the love. I think the lasting image I will have of this trip is a little brown hand wrapped up in mine, because that's how it's been since I arrived. LIke children everywhere, their kiddie radar immediatly tells them when grown up gets kids. When they saw me, it was 0-60, grabbing my hands, jumping into my lap, giving hugs and giggling.
Off we went to a villa on the edge of Nairobi National Park. So what is a "villa" by Kenyan standards? This one was a stone house with a thatched roof. Comfortable w/3 BR, a loft, a big living space and big outdoor patio for relaxing and dining looking out over the nat'l park.
"Mum Kate" and "Mum Gladys" (Kate Fletcher's future successor) shared a room, the little girls slept up in the loft and the 3 teenagers shared a big bed (Yes, just like American teenagers, they giggle themselves to sleep). They were kind enough to give me my own room on the other side of the house. Oh yeah, only 1 bathroom in the entire house. That was kinda interesting--sharing w/14 others, but like anything else--you figure it out.
Our days were filled with swimming at the local Masai Lodge. Think country club, tribal style. A nice big pool, a kiddie pool, and poolside service, only the waiters only speak Swahili. Good thing Mum Gladys is a local.
I was put into service as the human jumpy machine for the little ones and the swim teacher for the bigger girls.
Both the owner of the villa and the country club Masai lounge allowed the children to come for free because they so appreciate what Kate and Hekima are doing for the children.
Some sights I can't quite believe-13 children entertaining themselves with just one basket of used plastice toys. No TV or DVD player. When the girls got a little antsy before breakfast one day, I went to Mum Kate and said, "I think the inmates are about to take over the asylum." She simply said, "Tell them to figure it out. Tell the big girls to put the little girls on a bed and tell them a story. And that's exactly what happened. 12 bodies piled on a big bed. 13-year-old Pauline got up and started making up a story from her imagination--no books, no notes, no prompting. 12-sets of eyes stared back at her transfixed, drinking it all in.
My favorite tradition I've seen so far:
At dinner each evening, Mum Kate asks, "Who had a good day today?" with that a single child speaks up, "I had a good day today because I woke up in this pretty house, I got to go swimming, I got to play with Teresa, Diana, and Stacy. And we are eating chicken and rice for dinner. And that is why I had a good day."
That's the cue for one of the other little girls to shout out, "Hip, Hip!" followed by entire table shouting, "Hooray!" Even the tiniest, Flo, barely 3, stands up and shares why she had a good day. It is something to behold.
I am proud to say I have already earned the title of "Mum." So from here on out it is "Mum Daryn," which comes out as, "Mum Dad-deen," in their sweet Swahili accents. Mum Gladys confessed to me that she was having trouble with my name because they really use "R" sound where she comes from. "No problem," I said, my good friends call me, "DAK." So, I'm just as likely to be called "Mum DAk" which kind of sounds like "Mum Dick" with local flavor. Alas, Dick it is.
The children are hungry to learn new songs and traditions. So far the big hits are "This LIttle Piggy," (I had to explain Roast Beef,) John Jacob Jingleheimersmith (the little ones go crazy for yelling DADADADA in between choruses.) and B-I-N-G-O. I've also taught the little ones to say, "It's yummy in my tummy" when they eat something delicious.
Today, at breakfast, two 9-year-olds decided it was time to turn the tables and so my first Swahili lessons began. So far, I think I've mastered mistjanna: girl, vlana: boy, macho: eyes and machunga: orange.
We have seen wild giraffe, baboons, and stopped on the way home to visit a refuge for orphaned baby elephants. Very cute!
We have just arrived back at Hekima Place where I will be for the rest of the trip and now have daily email access. I'm not sure what is next except I think it is going to take us 2-days just to wrap all the presents everyone sent along for Christmas day.
I will try to post a new adventure each day in this space.
Meanwhile--Happiest of holidays to all back home.
Would love to see your comments on our online social community!
As you read this, I'm headed out on a Christmas holiday unlike any other I've ever experienced.
It will be Christmas in Kenya for me this year!
How wild is that?
I guess it's not too surprising that the origins of this trip begin right here at DarynKagan.com.
Many of you might remember when I featured Kate Fletcher earlier this year. She's the amazing 70-something woman from Pittsburgh, PA who started a school for girls in Kenya at the age of 70!
If you missed the story, make sure you watch it here.
As you can imagine, it took many months of email correspondence to put together Kate's story. Over that time, she kept saying, "You must come visit! You must come visit!" I finally thought about it and realized, "I think I will!"
So, off I go! Nairobi, Kenya here I come (via London and Paris.) I'll be there for two weeks. Kate explains that there are 48 girls at the school. Some have extended families, but there are 10 little girls who have no one in the world. That's who I will be spending my holiday with. I can only imagine it will be one of the most meaningful ever.
My close friends who know me will not be surprised to find I have an entire suitcase that is just stuffed with gifts. That's how Aunt Daryn tends to show up if there are kids anywhere.
Here's part of your holiday plans you might not have realized—You're coming along! Yes, through the magic of technology, cyberspace and my amazing support staff, I'll be posting reports as the trip goes on. At the very least, I should able to post in my blog with text and photos. I also have a video camera with me. If all goes well, I'll be able to have video up while I'm still in Africa.
So please check in here on a regular basis. I'd also love to hear from you. If you'd like to comment on my trip &/or share your own inspiring holiday plans, please click on over to our social online community. I'll make sure to share your messages with Kate and the girls.
Thank you for all your love and support during this amazing journey.
I hope all your holiday gatherings and preparations are going well. I've been busy getting ready for a Christmas unlike any I've ever experienced before. I'm taking a really big trip. I'll be letting you know more about where I'm headed in coming days. Not to worry, through the beauty of cyberspace and my amazing support staff, the website will keep running while I'm gone. And the plan is, if the technology gods cooperate, I'll even be taking you along.
Meanwhile, I found a very fun video over the weekend that speaks to the spirit of trying to get along with folks who are different from us. Doesn't that happen at the holidays? You get thrown together to celebrate with a group of people and ask yourself, "I'm related to these people?"
Well, if a dog, a cat, and a rat can more than get along, I figure so should we be able to. Check out this very fun video. I have it posted at the top of our social online community page.
While you're there, take a look around. You'll see you can post your own videos, blogs, photos, and start discussions with folks all around the world.
What's the score in the match between you and the shopping malls?
I thought I might help tip the balance in your favor with some inspired gift ideas that come right from the stories we've done here at DarynKagan.com.
First, to the festive music. Of course, that doesn't just mean Christmas carols. Kenny Ellis is a Jewish cantor who always loved Christmas music and big band tunes while growing up. He has married the two and created the kind of Hannukah songs he always wished he had. This CD is a blast and festive for people of all faiths.
Make your loved ones feel wrapped up in the warmest of feelings with Affirmawrap fleece blankets. Wrap them in Love, Courage, Abundance, Motherhood, to name a few. There's also just the right blankie for the special baby or pet in your life.
Once you're wrapped up in the blanket, you might want to put in a good movie. No film will move you more than Darius Goes West. It is the ultimate road trip story that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer.
The lady in your life will appreciate the gift of an organized purse. Talk about a miracle! You'll find it with The Butler Bag.
Animal lovers looking for a good book will enjoy Joe Camp's The Soul Of A Horse. See more of Joe's story here.
Everyone at your holiday table should be able to make a wish! Now that's possible, thanks to Lucky Break Wishbones.
And, for that special someone who dreams of making a difference in the world, why not inspire them by introducing them to 50 amazing people. That's what happens with my book, What's Possible! 50 True Stories of People Who Dared To Dream They Could Make A Difference. I share my own story how I reinvented my life after losing my job at CNN.
Finally, fans of this website, just might enjoy their own DarynKagan.com Tshirt or coffee mug. Each one celebrates how we show the world what's possible!
I hope that list helps!
Happy Shopping!
Anyone find themselves cooking in the kitchen this holiday season with their mom?
I know I did, as my mother, Phyllis, traveled to Atlanta for Thanksgiving. With her, it's actually, she cooks, I stir and act as sous chef/shopper/gopher. That's actually as it should be given our cooking abilities. Hers: High. Mine: er, not so much.
It was a fun bonding experience. If you like that sort of thing, you should check out a new show on Lifetime Television called, Mom's Cooking. It puts great mother-daughter teams in the kitchen together.
This week's episode happens to feature my friend, Jaquitta Williams and her mom, Linda.
Where to start telling you about Jaquitta? Wow. (note to self: we need to do a whole DarynKagan.com segment on Jaquitta-a true force of nature!)
Until a little over a year ago, she was living what looked like quite the glamorous life--News anchor at the top local station here in Atlanta. That's when her life took the turn she would've never picked--being diagnosed with breast cancer. Certainly not what she was planning on as young, gaw-jus woman!
I'm happy to tell you, she has completed treatment. In fact, she has completed more than that. She's completely changed her life.
Cancer turned out to be the gift that dared her to look at her choices and how she was living. One day, soon after she returned to work, she had one of those icky local news days. The kind where you have to stick your microphone into the face of a grieving family member.
Jaquitta stopped, thought about it and realized, "I don't want any cancer or toxicity in my life and that includes this job!"
And so, she was done. Walked away from one of the best jobs in local news in the country.
What's next? She's still writing that chapter. Clearly, it includes spending time with Mom in the kitchen. As we say here in the South, together they are fixin' to fix turkey wings and fried corn. Yummy. Clearly, J took a break from her healthy eating to go authentic for the episode.
Just wanted to pass along. So if you want to see a super star survivor cook up some good home cookin' and light up the screen, check it out.
And J-can't wait to see what you cook up next in this amazing new chapter of yours!
I'm happy to report, and somewhat relieved, that not a single person ended up in the emergency room following Thanksgiving dinner at my house. If you've read my previous blog posts, you know that's no laughing matter, based on previous Thanksgivings. This year, however, the score is Daryn: 19 happy and healthy guests, Hospital emergency room: 0!
Of course, that probably has do with the fact that I pretty much did none of the cooking. Have I mentioned how thankful I am for friends that do cook and out-sourcing?
Don't get me wrong, it's not like I didn't contribute. I want to share my favorite contribution. I created a Gratitude Bouqet.
It was so easy. Just picked up a bundle of sticks at Michael's craft store and some folder labels at Target.
I got the gratitude going by writing down the name of each of the guests on a label and wrapping it around one of the twigs. As my guests arrived, they too, wrote down what and whom they were grateful for and we all got to watch the gratitude grow.
Now, as of Monday morning, most of the leftovers have been eaten, what I need to stop stuffing my face with has been tossed, and the rental tables have been picked up, but the Gratitude Bouquet--it stays. And I've decided it's going to stay. It's the new ongoing tradition in this home. Now, anyone who walks through the door will be able to add a sticker and I get to watch gratitude grow all year long!
How was your Thanksgiving? How did your family and friends express thanks? Please share in our new online social community!
The table is set. The game plan ready to be set in motion for my loved ones coming over later today.
I'm getting an early start so that I can make sure to wish all of you a wonderful holiday.
I'm thankful for all of you and your support as I fulfill my purpose of delivering inspiring stories to the world. (I'm also having a kickass time-thankful for that, as well!)
I'll just get this plug in--if you're sitting around waiting for that full stomach to wear off, why not spend the time checking out and joining our new online community? You'll find folks from all over the world sharing their personal heroes, their inspiration, posting blogs, photos, and videos.
We'd love to have you be part of the group.
Wherever this holiday finds you, I'd like to send you a little card, in fact a bunch of them. I found this video that expresses my feeling so well, saying, "Thank You," in countless ways.
 Watch the Video
I'm pretty darn excited about Thanksgiving this year.
We'll have 20 people at my house, which might not seem remarkable to some, but it is to people in my circle. See, people who know me well will tell you that I can't cook.
I'd like to say that is a gross overstatement. And yet…it's not. It's not for lack of trying. But let's say my efforts over the years have resulted in less than inspiring results. There was that Thanksgiving I prepared for an old boyfriend a zillion years ago that ended with him in the emergency room. For the record, my intestines survived that meal just fine. Shockingly, that relationship did not last.
Anyhow, fast forward about 60 years to this Thanksgiving. I decided a couple months ago that I wanted to create this in my home and it has been one fun adventure ever since. Just like pretty much everyone and everything in my life these days, when I go with the flow, every one and everything I need shows up.
Joe is helping with a big load of cooking the sides. I've outsourced the turkeys. Found a great place to get deep-fried turkeys, an absolute must. This is the South after all. And once you go deep-fried, you just can't go back. And I'm thrilled with the guest list which includes loved ones aged 2-73. When guests ask what they can bring, I tell them, "Dessert." That might mean we end up with 20 pumpkin pies. Whatever. It'll be fun to see what sweets arrive.
And get this—there are even enough wishbones for everyone at the table. No, I didn't order 20 turkeys. I'll all set with my Lucky Break Wishbones. Ken Ahroni is a Seattle entrepreneur who has come up with a way to mass produce authentic looking wishbones from breakable plastic. Here's his story.
So, as you can see, this non-cooking hostess is covered in the food department. Now, I'm focused on what is the most important part—putting the Thanks in Thanksgiving. I want to create a gathering that is about so much more than just stuffing our faces. I want to stuff our hearts and souls.
So, I'm putting it out there—any great ideas or traditions? How does your family and or your people express their thanks on thanksgiving? I'd love to hear from you. Please share with our new online community. Just click here and share the gratitude.
And in advance, let me say, "Thanks!"
I'm dedicating this blog to all the great teachers out there.
You have no idea the seeds that you are sowing and the futures you are creating.
Lucky for me, I recently got to tell one of my best teachers ever what an impact she had on my life.
Mrs. Anfuso ran a very tight ship at with her 8th grade English class at Horace Mann Elementary School. She probably didn't even stand 5 ft. tall, yet ruled that classroom like an Italian drill sergeant. Truth is, most kids probably lived in fear of Wednesdays—that meant DOUBLE-period English.
But for me, Mrs. Anfuso's English class is where the light bulb went on. I can remember learning how to write a proper paragraph, about symbolism in literature, about point of view in telling a story. Before there was a book, a website, documentaries, and a 20-year TV news career, there was Mrs. Anfuso's English class. I honestly think I learned more collectively in that class than I did in high school and college.
About two years ago, a friend told me that Mrs. Anfuso was still alive and retired to Santa Barbara, CA. I got a hold of her address and wrote her a letter telling her what an impact she and her teaching had on my life.
Funny twist here—Mrs. Anfuso wrote back immediately. There was that perfect penmanship that used to mark up my papers. My stomach turned in knots. Yet, inside was the warmest letter. She was THRILLED to hear from me, as I was her favorite anchor on CNN and she watched me every day. My chest puffed proudly. "Mrs. Anfuso loves me!" I rejoiced.
However, then she added, that she actually has no recollection of me as one of her students. Yep. Coulda been just about anyone writing that letter. 8th grade Daryn was crushed. Just shows you not to get too proud too fast.
Anyhow, this exchange took place just as leaving CNN and getting ready to launch DarynKagan.com. At almost 88-years-old, Mrs. Anfuso doesn't do the internet or email, so we have exchanged hand-written letters over the past couple of years. (I know-how retro!)
When I was invited to a Ladies Who Launch event in Ventura County, I told them I could come under one condition—that I be allowed to invite my 8th grade English teacher who lived up the coast in Santa Barbara. The organizer, Vicky Rathje, did me one better. "I'll have one of our LWL member pick Mrs. Anfuso up and drive her to the event!"
That wonderful angel was a woman named Misty Gibbs, who is one of the early members of our DarynKagan.com online social community. Thanks, Misty!
What a treat to get to see Mrs. Anfuso in person after all these years.
"You must call me Bernice!" she insisted.
I froze. "Uhhhhh…." On one hand, you have to do anything Mrs. Anfuso orders. On the other…there was just no way.
"I'm sorry," I apologized. "I just don't think I can do that."
So, I flunked the "Call me Bernice" test. But I was able to share with a room full of inspiring women what an incredible teacher Mrs. Anfuso was for me. I had her stand and take a bow. I shared with the ladies that in a couple weeks, Mrs. Anfuso will turn 88 years old! They could see for themselves that she hasn't lost an ounce of that strength and presence.
That bow is for all you teachers out there. You aren't making enough money. You are working too hard. AND you are doing the most incredible work.
Who is your most inspiring teacher? Why don't you come over to our online community and share with the world!
I'm having a flashback to the movie, "Field Of Dreams." Remember the voice saying, "Build it and they will come."? That's turning out to be the case with our new social online media community.
I launched it yesterday in honor of the 2nd anniversary of DarynKagan.com. Boy, are they coming. We have folks from across the United States, Canada, and even South Africa! So we officially are an international social online community. I love it!
In case you missed all the hoopla yesterday, let me briefly explain that this is the place where you can discuss stories that inspire you. Share who your personal hero is. Post photos and videos. It's all free.
Starting today, I'm sweetening the pot. Each day for the next week, I'll randomly pick new members and send a special gift their way. An autographed copy of my book, "What's Possible!"
Sound good? How about a DarynKagan.com coffee mug or tshirt? It could be yours. Just go ahead and get started in our online community.
So great to have you!
It seems so amazing to say, "Happy 2nd Anniversary!" to DarynKagan.com.
Yep, it was two years ago today, 6 weeks after leaving CNN, that I launched what I envisioned to be the web's one-stop destination for inspiring news.
It's been a wonderful two-year ride. I tell folks all the time that I feel like I won the media lottery with a job that has me meet and interview inspiring people every single day, then share their stories with the world.
While that's been great, something these last few months was telling me it's time to expand to something more.
I am so happy to say that I believe I have found it. It is my gift to you, the thousands of visitors who click into this website from over 100 countries around the world.
DarynKagan.com is no longer just about my creating content for you. No, I'm breaking down the walls and inviting all of you in.
As of today, DarynKagan.com becomes a social media destination and community, as well!
What's that? Do you feel like you just opened a gift from you Aunt Mary and you have no idea what she just gave you?
Basically, you now have a place to create your own content. Join our community and comment on stories, post your own blog, photos and videos.
Does a certain DarynKagan.com story move your heart? Do you want the world to know about your own personal hero? Did you capture a photo of your child or pet that would make the world go, "Ahhhh!"? Want to review inspiring movies and books? Well, then let's get started!
Our online community is waiting for you. This is also going to be a place for you to meet and connect with people all over the world who love experiencing inspiration and "Showing The World What's Possible!"
I have to admit when I first saw everything on the page, my eyes crossed a bit. So, if you need some help getting started, just look on the right hand side of the screen. You'll find tips for getting started. Please also take a look at our Code of Conduct, as we want to keep this a place where everyone likes to come and hang out.
Oh, yeah…this is all totally free. My gift to you.
So, please sign up and tell your friends and family to come along, as well. I picture thousands of inspired-minded folks gathering each day under one tent.
And finally, whether you join our new DarynKagan.com online community or not, let me just say, "Thank you!" for what has been an amazing two years. I look forward to bringing you inspiring stories for a long time to come!
This message is for all of you who have sent the wonderful wishes and prayers for Tripod The 3-Legged Wonder Cat.
He is, indeed, doing amazing, cashing in that 999th life.
As they say, a picture tells the story.
"Mama Debra," the world's best pet nanny sent this picture to me as I travel on business.
As you can see, 'Pod is back to one of his favorite past times of taking over doggie beds. In this case, he's taken over the bed of Debra's dog, Jack. Just so you know, 'Pod does this without a single his or whack of that one front paw. It's all in his look and attitude. He just takes what he rightfully believes suits him. That would be funny enough. What really makes this picture is Jack apparently agreeing with this arrangement by somehow trying to make do w/Tripod's bed, as if he's saying, "Oh, yes, Mr. Tripod, uh, this will be just fine." as his 50 lb. body spills over the edges.
Yes, it's Tripod's world and we're all so glad he's still around. (Even Jack.)
It seems hard to believe, but one week from today, DarynKagan.com will turn 2! How can that be? Didn't I just leave CNN six months ago? Uh, that would be a big NO.
It has been a wonderful two years and I really wanted to find a great way to mark the 2nd birthday. I am thrilled to say I have found it.
Now, in my family, my brother and sister always want to open gifts right away. I've always been the one who likes to wait for the actual day, so that's how we're going to do it here.
But, I can give you a few hints. I will mark the second anniversary of DarynKagan.com by giving a gift to all of you. You'll be able to open it one week from today.
Without telling you exactly what it is, I will tell you that you can spend the next week thinking about some very fun and intriguing "What If's?"
What if you could have your own piece of DarynKagan.com real estate?
What if you had a place every day to discuss the inspiring stories you see here every day with folks all around the world?
What if you had a place to post and share your own inspiring stories, photos, and videos?
Start those wheels cranking because it's all on the way one week from today!
Stay tuned!
November 4, 2008: Any Other Ballot Criers Out There?
Ooh, there was some raging debate in the doggie park leading up to today's election.
Obama vs. McCain?
No. No. No.
The big talk and discussion was all about each person's strategy?
"What time are you going to try to vote?" Everyone wanted to know from everyone else.
Georgia had offered some of the most extensive early and advance opportunities of anywhere in the country. The response had been overwhelming. Anyone who tried to vote around here last week and waited less than 3 hours considered it a success.
And those early voters had snickering rights on those of us who were waiting for today, actual election day. After all, if the early voting had been that bad, just think what election day was going to be like! Now you get the reason behind the intense "What time you going?" debate.
I was pretty set that I was going to line up about an hour before the polls opened. I didn't want to get caught in any horrendous all day affair.
But I have to admit—Harry, father of Sterling The Golden Retreiver, swayed my thinking. He made a great argument for 10 am voting. "Morning crush is gone. Lunch hour hasn't started," he reasoned. I thought about and decided in addition to that, it was kind of my civic duty to go later in morning. Why clog up those early lines with someone who doesn't have to make it to a regular 9-5 job. After all, my current boss, uh me, is pretty understanding.
So, 10 am it was. 10:37 am, to be exact. And hats off to Sterling's dad—it was a good call. The whole thing took about an hour and 27 minutes.
And I have to say the entire time was very enjoyable. That great community feeling. I saw a ton of neighbors. "Hi Jodi! Hey, Maureen!" The polling place was run incredibly well.
And then there was the moment.
It's a moment that happens to me every time I step into a ballot booth.
Confession: I get choked up. Yes, sometimes even a tear. I just get overwhelmed with the huge privilege each of us gets in this country. I just love that I get a vote. It gets to me every time.
I have to say that I don't exactly fight the feeling. I never want to take that for granted. No matter what time I go to the polls; no matter if the candidates I vote for win or lose; I never want to lose that giddy feeling of appreciating the great gift of being able to vote.
So how about it? Am I the only one? Any other ballot criers out there?
Like most Sundays I'll be getting up tomorrow and putting in the regular 6+ miles with the ladies. It's kind of like our version of a weekly golf game. We enjoy the outdoors, the company, the exercise.
And even though I'll be pounding the streets of Atlanta, I'll be thinking about two special guys taking on the New York City Marathon.
Neither one will be at the front of any pack, but both have great stories that make my heart go, "Zing!"
First, there is Ted Fine. Ted is one of those guys who I've known so long I forget when I didn't know him. He's been at CNN for a long time. Of course, you can't place the face, because he a behind-the-scenes guy. When you see Anderson Cooper looking brilliant or American Morning anchors on top of their game, just know that it's because of guys like Ted doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes. Not to take anything away from Anderson or John Roberts and company. They'd tell you themselves, they couldn't do what they do without great guys like Ted behind the scenes.
Meanwhile, the greatest thing about Ted is what he does outside CNN. He does fatherhood. Spend 5 minutes with Ted and you hear about his kids and how much he simply loves being a dad.
He learned way too soon how precious and fleeting that priviledge can be. Ted and his wife lost their first child to SIDS. So, Ted doesn't just run to run. He runs to raise funds. Here is what he shared with me this week,
I always support the Colorado SIDS Program. When my first child, Ripley, died in 1997 this group was a lifeline for my family. Nothing makes sense when a baby dies. Ripley was perfect, beautiful, healthy, but when she died at 10 weekas old they called it SIDS. The SIDS program (now called Angel Eyes) had people ready with support and information the day Ripley died. And they've been there ever since.
I'm supporting Ted with my thoughts, prayers, and check.
I'm also cheering on Saul Raisin.
Saul is an incredible young man who I profile in my book What's Possible! 50 True Stories of People Who Dared To Dream They Could Make A Difference.
About two and a half years ago, Saul was a promising 23-year-old professional cyclist. His dream of riding the Tour de France was well within his sights. But a catastrophic crash during a race in France changed his life forever.
First, he defied doctors' expectations by surviving. Then, he had to fight back from the ensuing devastating brain injury. That injury ended Saul's professional career, but he's not one to stay down for long.
He's created the Raisin Hope Foundation dedicated to raising funds for brain injury research and support families going through brain injury recovery with one of their loved ones.
I picked up my phone the other day, "Hey, Daryn! It's Saul! I'm in New York City to run the NYC Marathon!"
Nothing this young man does surprises me anymore. Saul's goal is complete the race without walking and to raise awareness about What's Possible! with your life after brain injury. Yes, he is "Raisin Hope."
What a fine way for two great guys to spend Sunday morning.
Go get'tem!
Apologies for the lack of fresh blog post in recent days. It's just been all I can do to keep up with various parts that have chosen to go on the fritz all at once. I'm talking both mechanical and body parts. I might just believe in some sort of conspiracy theory? Do all these parts get together and make a pact or something? "Let's all go kaput at the same time?"
It started with the furnace. The good news is the house didn't burn down. With the first cold snap here in Atlanta I went to turn the heat on. Turned it on. It turned itself off. Turned it on. It turned itself off. Enough of that fun game and I called my HVAC company. I thought maybe the pilot light had gone our over the summer.
Oh, that pilot light was working all right. Working a little too well. Mr. Fix It man explained that flames were licking OUT of the furnace. The automatic shut off valve is what was shutting things down. Thank goodness!
The premature passing of the furnace meant I was treated to a crash course in furnace/AC systems by various sales people this week. Anyone need a contrast and compare, I now have a new specialty. Final decision-uh, no, we won't be going for the deeeluxe furnace/AC system powerful enough to service a 10,000 McMansion. The new, sturdy and dependable model is going in as I type this. A week later, heat will momentarily return to our wonderful 80-year-old house.
But the lack of heat really became background noise as more important bodily parts went on the fritz.
First, it was Darla Dog's liver. No, she hasn't been hitting the bottle. She might be the only dog in the world to get her own credit card offers, but she's no boozer. She actually looks perfectly fine, she just has through the roof liver enzyme numbers that showed up at her check up and the vet is trying to figure out.
Even that news was trumped by the most serious parts outage of all. Tripod, the 3-Legged Wonder Cat is having big challenges with his kidneys. He's at least 18 years old. I've had him 16 years and he came full-grown (except, of course, for the missing leg part.) So, 18 is an educated guess. And yes, I am well aware what failing kidneys mean in an older cat.
You just have to hold on before you go writing 'Pod off. I don't know that I could've said that this time yesterday when I whisked him off to the vet. He was kind of listless and just felt punky. All he wanted was for Mom to hold him, bless his heart.
But, I swear this cat of 999 lives is a better rebounder than any NBA player! The vet showed me how to do an IV fluid treatment. We tweaked his diet with some special treats to entice him to eat, and 'Pod The Great is back among us.
Apologies to all the other cats who came after us at the vet--Tripod is so mellow and loving and lets anyone hold him, poke him, do whatever, that makes other cats look wacko.
So, there you have it--the updates on all the parts around here. Furnace is almost in. We'll figure out Darla's liver mystery, and 'Pod-well, according to the vet, he and his remaining parts might outlive us all.
I hear from some very reliable sources that it's Friday. Incredible.
How about this for a full-service website? I have your holiday shopping done for you.
Okay, maybe not all of it, but a big chunk. That part of your list that you have to give someone at the office, a hostess gift, that brother-in-law who is so hard to shop for.
I found the perfect gift last night.
Plop down $20 for Darius Goes West.
I featured the trailer for this inspirational documentary last week here on DarynKagan.com. But it was only last night that I got to watch the entire movie.
Oh my gosh. Where do I start?
Alright, perhaps with a brief description: Darius Weems was a 15-year-old boy with muscular dystrophy. He's from Athens, Georgia and had never been outside his hometown. In the summer of 2005, a group of 11 college students decided to change all that. They loaded up an RV and headed to Los Angeles. Their main purpose was trying to convince MTV's Pimp My Ride show to "pimp" Darius' wheelchair. Most days, the motorized chair barely ran. Darius is very clear on what his dream chair would include.
So, that's the basic idea. What happens on this journey is so much more. You'll laugh, this is a boys' road trip, after all. You'll cry, as Darius sees the ocean and the Grand Canyon for the first time. And your heart will swell, as you watch this journey take a turn these young men could never have predicted.
I'm telling you, it's the best 20 bucks you can spend. Not only is it entertaining, there's the great feeling of knowing $3 goes to cover the cost of the DVD. The other $17 is going into a fund to help find a cure for MD.
The producers sent me a copy to check out for free. I'm going to the website today and buying a whole bunch more so I'll be set for the holidays this year. Bottle of wine? Stinky candle? Those are so last year! Your friends and family will thank you for this gift.
Go ahead and be cautious, if you want. Order one and see if you like it. I'm telling you, you'll just be going back and getting a bunch more.
Looks like a touched a nerve with my September 30th blog where I fessed up to who is the real boss around here.
DarynKagan.com visitor Adam Watson gets it. He found this animated cartoon on YouTube that shares the same theme.
So for all of you with demanding bosses of the feline variety out there--here you go:
Thanks, Adam!
I'm off to please The Boss.
I'm just back from my first trip to Toronto. What a lovely city! So clean, diverse and I love the beauty of Lake Ontario.
I went up to speak and sign books at the Ladies Who Launch "Be Your Own Boss" event. By the looks of this gathering, Canadian women are as hungry to run their own business as so many of us American women are.
The travel was interesting. Toronto is not far from Atlanta. The flight took only an hour and 40 minutes. But the hoops you must jump through in these post 9/11 days make it feel much farther.
You have to clear customs both ways. I had reminders all over the place and with my various people. "Make sure I remember my passport!" Good thing.
Interesting tidbit: When you arrive in Toronto, you clear customs. And then they have you clear customs before you leave. They have American customs agents checking you out, even though you're still in Canada.
That's where I got "The Look."
It's that look you learn to recognize in someone's eyes after you've been on television for awhile. It's that look that says, "I know I know you, but I just don't know exactly from where."
And it usually leads to, "Did we go to school together?" or "Did you work at Procter and Gamble in the late '90's?" or something that leads into the recognizer's experience.
I get it. The face is so familiar, but totally out of context. It's amusing when someone is referencing their old school or company. Not so funny when it's a US Customs agent giving "The Look."
"So, what were you doing here in Canada?" he wanted to know, I swear looking at me sideways.
"I was here for my book tour," I replied enthusiastically.
"Book tour?" he questioned, getting more sideway'ish.
I squished telling him about my book and DarynKagan.com, the web's one-stop destination for inspirational news into a few sentences.
This only seemed to make him all the more suspicious.
"What makes you qualified to do all that?" he questioned.
(Why do I get a job where I get to talk to inspirational people all day long? I know, I get it. I won the media lottery. Why me?)
"It's just my next step after 12 years on CNN," I explained.
That's when I saw it. The lightbulb of recognition went on.
"Oh! That's where I know you from!" he smiled. "I was starting to wonder. You know we have these lists."
Yeah, I figured. What a relief! Mr. Customs Agent figured out it was CNN and not the latest 10 Most Wanted bulletin that he knew me from.
"Can I give you a bookmark?" I asked, not knowing the custom at Customs. Are you allowed to leave a little token of appreciation behind? Wouldn't want to get shot or anything.
He gave the nod that it would be okay, so I reached in my bag and gave me one my promotional bookmarks that has a picture of What's Possible! on one side and DarynKagan.com on the other. I would've given him the actual book, but they completely sold out at the event.
Then, he gave me his look indicating it was okay to move along. And so it was. Just the short hour 40 minute hop back into America.
January 28, 2008: Birthday-Palooza!>>
January 24, 2008: My Dog's Credit Card>>
January 21, 2008: Confessions of My 3-Legged Cat>>
January 17, 2008: Snow Geek>>
January 15, 2008: Revsiting "Finding Good From Evil">>
January 14, 2008: Rachel Ray discovers DarynKagan.com Star!>>
January 9, 2008: Crazy Good>>
January 8, 2008: New Year's Wishes>>
December 31, 2007: Who Are These People?>>
December 23, 2007: Actually, You're Not>>
December 18, 2007: Are You An Awesome Engaged Couple? Here's Your Chance for A Dream Wedding!>>
December 17, 2007: The Shoe Story>>
December 14, 2007: Why I Don't Have To Choose>>
December 10, 2007: Doing The Best They Can All The Time>>
December 7, 2007: Good Morning, America!>>
December 6, 2007: I'm Officially In The Holiday Spirit>>
November 26, 2007: Belated Thanks>>
November 12, 2007: Happy Birthday, DarynKagan.com!>>
November 9, 2007: Happy Birthday, Mom!>>
November 7, 2007: The Last Thing I Expected>>
November 6, 2007: A Great Bunch>>
October 30, 2007: What's In A Name?>>
October 24, 2007: Fires>>
October 21, 2007: A Proud Mama>>
October 15, 2007: For Mom.>>
October 14, 2007: History Is Made!>>
October 10, 2007: The Shop's Open!>>
October 10, 2007: Help Find The Mystery Flight Attendant!>>
September 24, 2007: Thank You>>
September 21, 2007: Dad>>
September 11, 2007: An Honor To Turn It Over>>
September 10, 2007: The Gratitude Bouquet>>
August 23, 2007: Am I Getting Punchy?>>
August 21, 2007: Sisters and Websites>>
August 15, 2007: We're Growing!>>
August 7, 2007: Hooray For Your Heroes>>
August 1, 2007: Our First Award>>
July 27, 2007: Arizona's Family>>
July 23, 2007: No Barriers To Big Thinking>>
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