Ambassador's Special Self Help Program

 Again this year, I had the satisfaction and fulfillment of managing the Embassy's small development grant program, called "Ambassador's Special Self Help Program".  We provided small grants to a number of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and community groups for assistance to underprivileged and needy persons in Mauritius and Seychelles.  These photos are of a school for the handicapped we assisted with ramps, walls, and accessible facilities; others are for a library in a rural community center---the only learning center for miles around.  Other recipients were health programs, entrepreneurial job creation activities, a catering project for women prison inmates, and child protection projects.  It is very fulfilling to see how far a little bit of money will go, and how much good is done with it---these are transformational grants, even though they only amount to 5 or 6 thousand dollars each.  Makes me proud to be from a country that cares about the frail and vulnerable folks around the world.  

Super Moon over Indian Ocean

This month's full moon was the Super Moon . . . closer to Earth than normal, and very bright.  It is especially bright over the Indian Ocean, and reflected in both the ocean and the pool!  Enjoy these photos from the back yard.

No Bull: Matador Knocked on His Butt

Our Madrid visit would not have been complete without a trip to the bullring.  First, we must say this is not a sport; and not really a fight.  It is staged drama, and, in the end, the bull always dies.   It was tough to sit through, but the first bullfight of the night featured a brand new matador on his first solo outing.  Much to our surprise, he was knocked on his butt on the bull's first pass!  Ultimately, the new matador was not hurt, but could have been.  His brilliant white costume was dirtied and bloodied, and after he got back in the ring, he took on the bull shoeless and on his knees (the matador, not the bull)  It was a most interesting turn of events to see the young matador (Damon's age) trying to make up for his embarrassing tumble by giving himself a mobility disadvantage.  In the end, the bull met his end; but to the bull's credit, he made it a fight, after all.

Bullfighter helped by others after getting knocked down by bull

The blood is the bull's, not the matador's

So he goes out shoeless and on his knees to demonstrate courage

One angry hombre

Going in for the kill

Father's Day 2013

Had a total relaxing Fathers Day 2013 . . . keep in mind it is nearly the middle of winter in the Southern Hemisphere----so I had to slap on extra layers of clothes! Happy Fathers Day to all!

Madrid Buildings & Architects

This is a town that names buildings after their architects . . . a wing of the Reina Sofia Museum is named Sabatini, after a great architect . . . and other buildings pay homage to their architectural creator.  It is appropriate; the architects have done a spectacular job of creating a beautiful built environment in Madrid.  They should be honored.  Here are a few examples.

Iris, Heather, and Mum's Day

Heather and Shelly spent Mother's Day at Madrid's Royal Botanic Gardens, and what a beautiful day it was!  Gorgeous flowers, especially Shelly's favorite . . . iris of all colors and styles.  They walked and walked and talked and talked and took some beautiful photos!

Spain Mainly Not Plain

Eliza:  The rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain!
Henry:  By George, she's got it! By George, she's got it! Now, once again where does it rain?
Eliza:  On the plain! On the plain!
Henry:  And where's that soggy plain?
Eliza: In Spain! In Spain!
The three:  The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain!
The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain!
---My Fair Lady


We barely saw rain in Spain, so we cannot say whether it stays mainly on the plain; but we can say that Spanish colors and textures are anything but plain.  There were hot colors, fun textures, and great shapes everywhere we looked!  Look at these!