Hey -- anyone got a laugh? Anyone?

 

The Birthday boy turns 3!!!

 

 

 

 

We sat contentedly among the other diners and the leafy bits omnipresent in Lavington. This chill part of Nairobi is both my old neighborhood and a wonderful place to just relax. Inside the walled, guarded, fenced and otherwise secured area, there are restaurants and shops and most surprisingly -- a playground. What an ideal place for a birthday celebration with Jake and Yvonne!! And who could resist the tantalizing combination of fish sticks and chocolate cupcakes. Even Chef Ramsey called asking to share in the festivities. We said no. For the record - despite Jake being full to burstin' after chips and fish sticks, he still managed to lick every bit of chocolate frosting off the cupcake.

 

 

If you're new to checking out my blog, over the years I have updated the readers with the story of Jake & Yvonne here in Nairobi, Kenya. Together the readers have helped support them for the past 3 years after Yvonne met with circumstances so horrific and morally unconscionable that I felt compelled to do something. I thank those who have contributed particularly Barry and Cliff whose generosity is humbling.

 

In 2021, I'll be happy to accept any donations that would be used directly for Jake's education. As always, if you would like to help out with $50 or so, it is appreciated and I am committed to ensuring the donation is applied ethically and with a view to achieving great value. What could be more important than the education of children -- other than single malt scotch of course. 😋However -- I do solemnly swear that any shekels sent will not go toward the Layno Laphroaig Appreciation Foundation. 

 

 

 

Donations can go by e-interact to Laynemahon@live.com or Paypal at Laynegmahon@gmail.com

Yvonne looking fabulous says thanks!!

Always with the Laughs!!

I don't really recall my Aunt Linda during the first 3 years of my life but over the balance of 55 years she has always been a most welcomed fixture. And by fixture I'd say there are numerous additions she has made to my life though two things stand out in particular. Laughs and class. You see, Linda can always find a laugh and shares her delightful cackle with all who will listen. Quick witted, like my father and her mother, but also graced with a sense of "when to" and "when not too" -- that I envy. She's one of those people who just seems to always know the right thing to say at the just the right time.

 

 

All my life she has been someone I admire and look forward to seeing. She has a way of teasing out conversation and even when it's simply chaff and grist for the mill, leans forward eagerly like it's the mot important thing she has ever heard. 

And there's also class. You know when you're in the presence of someone who just plain goodness? My Mom always says that integrity is what you do when no one's watching -- I think Linda is Linda regardless of who is there to see. A woman with remarkable poise and class.

 There's never been the right time to tell Linda how amazing I think she is and what an impact she has had on my life - so why not now.  Thank Linda!!

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading....Layno scruffy AF in Nairobi!!!

Now that makes scents

 

 Angel's Trumpets everywhere .....

 

 

 

I've previously reported on  my good fortune surprisingly brought on by Covid19. I don't mean to trivialize or lessen the horrific life and death outcomes of this  horrible disease, but do appreciate this amazing house that I live in due to the disruption it has brought to our lives. You see, when Covid19 struck, our charity was so affected that many of my colleagues went home and I ended up with the house -- at least for now. La tee dah!!! 😁

 

 

So the architecture is lovely with it's high ceilings and patio doors that so beautifully marry inside and outside on a sunny African afternoon, but for me, it's the communion with the natural world that makes this place so amazing.

 

You see the designers had the good sense to plant four Angel's trumpet trees around the house.  These flowers flower persistently and give off the most fantastic scent. Morning and night , the whole house is perfumed by this light but unmistakable fragrance. It's the stuff of fairy tales and movies but a part of my real life that I do appreciate the forethought so much. According the wiki - it has another more fun side.....

  

 

 

 

Angel's trumpet is a plant. The leaves and flowers are used to make medicine. Despite serious safety concerns, people use angel's trumpet as a recreational drug to induce hallucinations and euphoria.  

 Really now!!! Friday nights just got a whole lot more interesting 😀

 

 

 

That communion with nature does comes with unintended and not wholly appreciated consequences. All manner of insects also appreciate the wide open patio doors and join me in my home as uninvited guests. The big black crickets are my least favorite, and as mentioned previously in "Geckos on the ceiling", I live reluctantly with this band of merry little cold blooded hooligans who eat the bugs while I sleep somewhat peacefully through the night. I guess I should be a bit more appreciative of these ruffians.

 

They do however peek out at me through the day from behind drapes and cupboards looking for a thank you I suspect. In my mind -- food and lodging for free ought to be sufficient. Ha ha - as I type this, and as if on cue, one of these mischievous buggers zipped across my desk and is now chattering noisily from behind the book case admonishing me for disturbing him. The nerve!

 

 

 

 

A recently arrived guest is a Black Mamba who has taken up residence under my front door mat this week. At least I think it was, and given it's reputation for aggressive behavior leading to death of the the "disturber" I gave it a wide berth regardless. 

 

Last week a green Mamba greeting me from the front deck in much the same manner as his darker skinning reptilian buddy. There is no place in the house for snakes ..... and would prefer that they not join the other reptiles who have taken up residence. 

Maybe I'll put up a sign -- something like " if you are venomous and slither" -- please bunk with Trumps. You'll be in good company there. Good riddance to both!!!!!

 

 

 More important than my trivial ramblings about flora and fauna....

 

 

I received sincere thanks from the Majengo community for the food we delivered yesterday. Grace, our champion in the slum greeted me with a big hug and kiss on the cheek as I rolled up in the Land Cruiser with our donations of corn flour, rice, cooking oil and wheat flour.

 

 

 A special thanks to Uncle Bob & Auntie Linda, Cousins Jen and  Ron, Jill and my Mom. Also Barry, Cliff and DJ, we still have money in the pot which will take us through to at least the end of February. That along with quite a number of recent donations will help keep those kids fed and in school until probably June!!.  Many thanks all. We are doing good stuff here 😀😁

Sonny and Lucky say hello and for the record also hate snakes. They are helping me with the sign.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading .........Layno at Kilifi last week!!!

Kids in School and on Motorcycles

 Full bellies for a start to "Back to School"....

 

 

 

Around the planet our leaders contemplate herd and isolation strategies as they grapple with the complexities of this global pandemic. Who would have thought that with all the world's technology and morality -- and for so many months -- this damned crisis would persist. 

 

 

In Kenya, things are no different than in the rest of the world and possibly worse. You see, children here most often board in dorms far away from their families and very very close to one another.  So - the government is again and understandably waffling on the policy that returns all kids to school as cases rise exponentially . Two grades have returned so far but if I was a bettin' man - would say that it will be January before we see a full return to school.

That said, the readers of this blog thoughtfully sent a bit of Doe Ray Mee to yours truly so that food could be brought in for those kids who have just returned to Malezi school. 

Massive thanks again to the generosity of DJ, Cliff and Barry and others for their contributions. Also - I have struck a deal with a farmer in the Mara who will supply beans in the future at 40% less than what we have been paying. I'm pretty excited about that. From the farm to the table cuts out a lot of potentially greedy middle peoples. 

 

 

 

Children on motorcycles - anatomy of a crash

While a bit disturbing, I'll share with you the events of my super fun Friday night. My thought here is to share my experience of driving a vehicle in a place far different than my home and native land Canada. A place where there are virtually no road rules other than intimidation and bribery. When I get behind the wheel of the truck, without being overly dramatic (and I certainly can do that  😊) I'm under no illusions as to what that means, and accept the risks that go along with it.

As I eased through the mean streets of Ruaka, a "suburb" of Nairobi and decidedly dangerous, I cursed myself for leaving the Mara late and having the four hour drive extend past nightfall. That combined with an earlier traffic jam in a place called Mai Mahui (meaning hot water in the Kikuyu language) meant I was in the "danger zone" -- that time of the evening when bad things like car-jacking and robbery are likely. I also cursed the rain that was falling now making visibility near zero. Add to that, my blacked out windows necessary to keep potential bad guys from seeing a Mzungu (white guy) behind the wheel which means only one thing. Money!

 

Finding myself in yet another nasty traffic jam, the two lane road had grown to 5 with 4 lanes coming toward me on both sides. My single lane crept through the center as motorcycles and Matatus (small passenger vans) whirled and roared devilishly all around me.  Finding myself at an intersection of sorts, I was waved through by oncoming traffic with a blinking of lights signalling that I was allowed to cross. As I moved forward I was suddenly hit by a motorcycle as such speed and force that the truck lurched sickeningly to one side and the rider sailed over the hood of the truck. This is big trouble. 

 

You see, motorcycle riders in Nairobi protect one another with some kind of brotherhood that is known and feared by all. Hurt one - hurt them all -- is the mentality. Because there are no real road rules that apply and protect motorcycles, the threat of harm from the "brothers" does help to protect them from other Kenyan drivers who tend toward lacking in both patience and courtesy. Regardless of the Motorcycle riders reckless and thoughtless road antics, many lynchings and beating have occurred when an innocent motorist accidentally crosses the path of these people. Again - I'm in big trouble here.

 

I was surprisingly calm as I moved the Land Cruiser to a safe spot just ahead. With great clarity I remember thinking through the must do's. Lock up my phone and wallet - make sure windows are closed  - make sure I lock the truck when I get out - make sure my keys are deep in my pocket ....and above all, don't rise the the bait - as perhaps 20 motorcycle riders had already converged on the scene.  Without this forethought, the truck will be looted in an instant once I am distracted by the events and I'll be beaten.

 

I considered staying in the truck - but here - there is no 911 or police quickly coming to the scene and in fact police is the last thing you want. That will only mean a very expensive situation as you have taken the officer away from his bribe collecting activities. 

Possibly, depending on the mood, the motorcycle guys would break the windows and pull me out if I didn't deal with the situation - meaning, safer outside than in.

 

 

As I left the relative safety of the truck, I surveyed the smashed motorcycle on the road and finally caught sight of the injured man on the ground. Everyone was yelling and shoving as the name of the game now is to establish blame and make the guilty party pay as much as possible. This is the critical point - and from experience I have learned to say nothing and let the situation chill a bit. To my great relief the injured man now stood and when asked said that he was OK. As he looked at me , I saw that he was young, very young - and surprisingly calm. "I'm OK" he said again- "just my leg". Remarkable I thought, given the intensity of the crash I had just witnessed.

 

The gang moved in around us quick and angry, shouting and pushing. Again I said nothing and just waited. The young man named Kevin got close enough to me to start the blame game, his accusations taken up by the assembled group. I said nothing until after a time said "can we talk over there where it's quiet?". He nodded and we moved away. But there was no chance to negotiate as the mob quickly closed in around us sensing an entertaining and hopefully violent confrontation.

 

I again got close enough to him to suggest that we get in my truck, where finally we were able to take a breath. "You came in my lane" he said. Yes, I admitted, I didn't see you  -- was your headlight working? Why were you traveling so fast in a traffic jam I asked?  He said nothing for a few moments - then - "I had 2 pizzas to deliver" -- I'm sorry, please don't call the police". So there it was - both admitting some blame. 

 

We agreed to a price for the motorcycle -- wrote and signed an agreement -- paid the money on the spot -- and it was over. The motorcycle had somehow disappeared and the mob had moved on, and there I sat alone with only some dents and a flat tire to deal with next. I received some help and manged to change the tire and after 2 long hours on the roadside started the engine and pulled away feeling terrible about my fault in the accident, and the lack of rules that contribute to the problem. No one was badly hurt - so as always - isn't that the most important thing?

 Greenhouses for days!!!

Below  -- the exciting beginnings of 18 new greenhouses that will add a ton (literally) of productive capacity to our farm. Oleleishwa as it is called, will continue to expand so that we can provide nutritious reasonably priced food to the community we enthusiastically serve. For the record, (below) the man-bag looks ridiculous but where else can you put all your important goodies. And for the record, there is no foundation or eye liner in there 😆 

 

Also for the record and to be clear - I proudly work for WE Charity, and that means working with a team to assist a community with Food, Health Care, Water, Opportunity and Education. That community is in Narok County Kenya, home to the  Masai and Kipsigis tribes. 

 

I also operate Just Food Africa as a "side hustle"  on my own raising a bit of money to help the kids in Majengo slum. Primarily that work is supporting Grace and her Malezi volunteer school. If you would like to send money to me - this is what it will be used for.

e-interact @ laynemahon@live.com 

Paypal laynegmahon@gmail.com 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading ......Layno!!! (Greenhouses coming soon)
 

What does it mean?

WE Charity - 25 years in .... 

 

Only a scant hour or so from Nairobi is the fabulous Mount Longonot National Park. Arriving in the early hours with an intrepid group of hikers, we started the climb to the crater rim passing zebras and giraffes all too familiar with the comings and goings of 2 legged intruders. There were 3 Americans in the group though that didn't prevent us from having lively and interesting conversations 😁 about the work we do in Kenya and the state of affairs given Covid19 etc.

Ted, a 20 something hedge fund accountant escaped Manhattan to help build more efficient Jikos (Charcoal powered cooking stoves) while Annie has committed all her years since University to various projects helping kids with malnutrition. Another 10 adventure craving souls completed the group as we ascended what is a pretty steep and unforgiving slope up the to the crater rim. However - once on the rim, its a relatively pleasant 14 kms to complete the hike.  The 4 hours trek around the rim in the sun was a perfect time  (when I could resist chatting up my hiking companions) to contemplate the recent changes and perhaps total demise of WE Charity.

Above is a news photo now more recognizable in Canada than the "Last Supper" as WE Charity founders Mark and Craig are joined by Judas and his wife... oops - I mean The Canadian Prime Minster and his wife on stage at a WE event in Canada a couple years ago. This Charity, the one who so generously employs me and allows me to work at something I love, has just announced that it is winding down Canadian operations.

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1787559491722

The PM in a recent press conference (see the link above) talked about how unfortunate it is that the Charity is shuttering operations. In particular, he noted, it is unfortunate  for the Canadian kids who won't get compensated for their charitable work.

I have a slightly different take on how unfortunate the demise of WE Charity is. As much as Canadian kids will certainly miss those dollars to assist with school in the coming year, they are unlikely to have to worry about being married at the age of 11 and having little to look forward to other than a life of backbreaking field work.... a relationship more akin to slavery than the Harry and Megan fairy tale.


After 25 years of work, there are so many success stories, it's impossible to count. Students going on to accomplish so much in life, serious illness addressed allowing community members to tend their farms and enjoy life.... etc.. Those stories of success come from the community members who benefit from our Farms, hospitals, schools and programs in forgotten corners of the globe.


A recent story I heard is of a man badly crippled with little to look forward to other than a harsh existence. Through the work of WE  - he was given a cow - which recently gave birth making him a wealthy man in the community, Tears of joy are the currency that WE charity has received most often and most importantly. That is a concept not easily understood from a press conference of even the recent Macleans article on the rise and fall of one of Canada's greatest charities.

https://www.macleans.ca/longforms/we-charity-kielburgers-scandal/

A group of girls in front of our girl's secondary school.

So what does it all mean? The Charity has stated that it will liquidate it's assets (mostly Real Estate in Toronto) to provide a stream of funding to continue International operations. Well if that's all that remains - it will just have to do as we look for ways to bring the greatest amount of aid to the communities we serve, I hope I will be chosen to continue work within the Kenyan project and continue with the team to do exceptional work .  We will have to see I suppose. It's a messy messy affair. ... with significant challenges ahead. Wish us luck!!!

Not all that glamorous - shower time in the field. 😀

Thanks for Reading ......Layno!!!





 

Ants on hillsides

Why migrate I wonder????

As I looked at this Crocodile basking lazily on the banks of the Mara river,  I couldn't help but think he's smiling. It sure looks like he or she is and likely, because he can't believe his good fortune. Dinner in the form of either wildebeest or Zebra will continue to cross his "crib" in numbers up to a million over 4 weeks.  I don't think he pauses to probe the depths of animal psychology and the subtle signals that propel these magnificent beasts back and forth across the river. It just is... and means a full tummy and time to work on his tan.

I did however -- ponder deeply on the subject as I enjoyed the peaceful sun drenched day on the magnificent Masai Mara.

Two things are so amazing that you tingle and/ or gasp at the enormity and complexity of it all.

Firstly - the sheer number of Wildebeest. Essie, my intrepid and dare I say lovely companion on the adventure, remarked that they looked like "Ants on Hillsides" as we rolled the Land Cruiser through a valley with views stretching on to forever. There are more beasties here than The Don has alternative facts.

This next part was super interesting -- the zebras you see here (about 300 in the herd) had just come from the river bank behind me. One Zebra finally and tentatively decided to cross. Moments later he was spectacularly chomped by a Crocodile while the others looked on in horror (even though their expressions didn't really change) .  " Ouch"  -- and then "fuck this" seemed to be the consensus and they all moved 100 meters down stream to where you see them in the photo above.

Once the shock of a lost brother or sister fades, one brave Zebra moves forward and after 5 minutes or so puts his or her hoofs tentatively in the Mara River. The other Zebras all hold their breath and wait glad it's not them. So why this Zebra? Punishment for hogging the grassland? Does he get his pick of the mares if he makes it over? What reward awaits this intrepid Equine? And why bother to cross at all? Seriously - there is space and grass for days on both the Tanzania side and the Kenya side. It's bizarre.

Also bizarre was when the lead Zebra ( lets call him Johnathan Livingston Zebra) decided not to cross, and again --  they all turned and made there way to yet another crossing site 100 meters down stream. What (other than the unavoidable obvious) prompted JLZ not to cross? And why did no other Zebra or Wildebeest step up and offer a second opinion? "Hey Zachary - ya know the grass on this side is spectacular this year -- how about we chill here?" "Are you kidding Zelda - the grass is always greener ..... blah blah blah"

I'm thinking that if hungry Crocodiles infested the streets of Nairobi I would consider alternative routes on my way to work as well. That part makes sense to me but again -- why migrate at all?


Below - a couple pictures of the day....

Essie, hungry as usual scans the horizon hoping to see a Mcdonalds or Burger King.  But nothin' but Wilde and other beests as far as the eye can see.

These Heartbeests  herd there was a party and grazed right over. Look at how vast it is. Yes I got lost many times.....

Perfection the form of a Grant's Gazelle. You get a further sense of the size of the Mara here. 1500 sq kms!!

I'm going to guess that we were able to see 200 elephants during the day ... just awesome!!! And again - vast!!!

Jake & Yvonne

Many thanks for the very generous donations from my friend Barry and my daughter Stevie. This money will be a big help for now and Jake's future. Thanks very much!!!

Thanks reading .... Layno!!!

What a good Mom!!

A Day with Jake and Yvonne

 

Plans and picnic lunch made we fired up the Land Cruiser at 5:45 to get an early and advantaged head start on the other animal lovers heading to the park. Actually, I slept in just a bit so the key turned at 6:30 - which is close 👴. I was also fortunate to have Essie join, a friend who shares my love of getting outside and doing stuff. As comfortable in hiking boots as she is in heels, I'm really grateful that I've met this amazing person and get to share adventures along the road. 

Once crawling along the dirt roads of the NNP and reminiscent of previous visits, I again felt a tremendous sense of privilege. The park is an amazing place. It's a place where the ubiquitous Tik Tok and Instagram fade as real life takes hold of you and captures your attention. Animals go about their business as they have since time immemorial.  I am really grateful for the opportunities life has provided me. This is indeed a treat!
 

My thanks again to the many people that have and continue to support Jake and Yvonne as they make their way through difficult circumstances.  Our weekly assistance (along with help from her brother Walter working as a barista) has made it possible for them to move from a one room dirt floor abode to a 2 bedroom flat they share with Walter and the other 2 brothers.





Jake is a wonderful joyful lad and as he approaches his 3rd birthday this December, I have to say that Yvonne has done an amazing job with raising him. She is patient, loving and protective of his heart and spirit. Just as my mother was to me. The day reminded me of why I took an interest in helping these two people while all the while recognizing that under different times and circumstances, no assistance would be necessary.

As always - if you would like to part with a couple dollars you can do so through: 

e-interact laynemahon@live.com or PayPal laynegmahon@gmail.com

I would like to assist Jake with school fees in the future and if anyone would like to donate to that specifically,  please be my guest 😆

Jake watches intently as a couple baboons groom one another.

The day was particularly  rewarding as we got to see almost everything the park has to offer. There were 2 leopards spotted, but we were unable to get a glimpse. But!! many Lions and Rhino's and Giraffes and Jackals -- each delighting young Jake as he made efforts to escape through the window and join.

As we watched an Ostrich I was reminded of one of my Father's favorite jokes. It goes like this;

An Ostrich is invited to a cocktail party and as he arrives he fumbles with the door making a lot of noise and scaring all the other Ostriches at the party. They immediately stick their collective heads in the sand and as he enter he looks around and says --" hey -- where did everybody go?" 

Miss ya Dad!! Below are a few pictures on the day that you may enjoy. I certainly enjoyed taking them.

Can I get a drink bartender and hey where did everyone go?

A Zebrette watches us curiously. Nothing to say here other than Awwwwwwww

A Lioness (one of the 6 chillin') looks at some gazelles in the distance considering a lunchtime snackaroo.

A big-assed Rhino does what Rhino's usually do - eat grass and lots of it.

A Jackal looks around more even suspiciously than Justin Trudeau at a press conference -- if that's possible.

A Buffalo wishes he'd taken off a few pounds and did a bit of jogging prior to the last attack.

A great shot of Essie enjoying the breeze and view.

Thanks for reading ....Layno - ready for anything!!!

Mpango wa Kando

Cruising to Paradise

Mpango wa Kando is a Swahili expression that refers to someone who is your significant other. And by other - I mean other than your wife! It translates roughly to "side chick" and is generally used in a playful manner. And so I now have to confess that I have a Mpango wa Kando; my side chick is the venerable and sexy BMW R1150GS pictured above.

What better place to take her than the South East coast of Kenya for a bit of R&R and exploration was my thinking -- and so Indian Ocean Africa Pearl resort Diani -- here we come!!



 





It was a perfect work play week particularly as I was able to spend some time with my dear friend Chris who has settled here (Bastard). Tanned fit and remarkably healthy looking we idled over long breakfasts and single malt Scotch catching up after almost 2 years of being in separate places in the world.

Chris and I have been in Diani in the past hanging out and enjoying what can only be described as paradise. There is almost always a breeze, warm and gentle on your cheek and a sweet smell that encourages and invites you to breath deeply. The sound of the ocean rolling onto the brilliant white sand is audible from wherever you park yourself in the village; a comforting sound through the day and night.

The Indian ocean sparkles always luring and giving some rational for Greek Mythological Sirens who lured sailors to ruin on the sea. I get that. A noonday or midnight swim are equally enjoyable in this tropical Elysium.






On the morning of my return to Nairobi, I rose early and packed my gear out to the big BMW. The sun was an hour from rising though the air was warm and a bit sticky as I loaded and secured the gear. It was a bit tricky as I'd broken one of the luggage support mounts on the way in. Road was a bit rough 😏 ... (couldn't be the rider)

I pushed the starter button and the big 1150 rumbled to life. As habit, I checked turn signals, brake light, kicked the tires and a quick once over to see that nothing was falling off. Satisfied, I climbed aboard and pushed her off the stand.

I traveled the coast road as the sun rose, my visor up enjoying the wind on my face, the smell of the ocean and the sun rising over the ocean. The coconut trees seemed to be waving goodby as I at last turned inland to face the 2 hours of rough road ahead of me.

I have to admit that despite my love of 2-wheeled motos, I'm not a great rider and particularly poor off the tarmac. I do however, enjoy that sense of solitude and self reliance that comes with getting off the beaten track. This dirt road is no joke. Worried about getting lost without a GPS signal - worried about a breakdown - worried about a bad fall - worried about an attack - worried about running out of fuel ... my mind was busy thinking through the what if's. The road challenged me thoroughly. Standing up on the foot pegs I tried to pick paths that avoided the dreaded sand traps and worst of the rocks and ditches. Finally and admittedly exhausted, I arrived in Samburu town and turned right onto the tarmac heading to Nairobi.

After riding on the dirt for 2 hours at 30kms an hour or less, I went through the gears, the motor sung it's beautiful tune finally able to rev as I hit the 130 mark and settled into the groove. A group of Zebra's watched me from the side of the road looking sad and forlorn as I passed. Why the long faces I thought😏

A word on Jake and Yvonne

 

 

Jake and Yvonne are doing well. I haven't seen either of them for a few months as it's a bit risky with Covid19 and all -- but looking forward to spending some time with them when this Covid19 thing is done and dusted. Sincere thank you's to Muriel for her very generous donation that I'm sure Yvonne and Jake will really appreciate.

Jake definitely doesn't look like a baby anymore turning 3 this December. :) What a handsome young fella!!

Last but hardly least - my Gran!

This week was also a time to say goodby to my Gran formally. She passed some time ago but the spreading of her ashes was this week as family gathered to share stories and memories. I was a bit far away to attend the auspicious occasion but took time to remember the woman who helped raise me.


Never an unkind word and always ready to make time for me is how I remember her best. A proud woman, she delighted in books and family history, she taught me many things about life. I spent many a day at her home on Salt spring island as a boy eating her famous PB&J sammies and shoveling down great heapings of the Mac and cheese that is to this day unequaled.

Just shy of 100 years on the planet - I share this picture of her from the last time we met just over a year ago. Rest in peace dear Gran - and thank you for your endearing kindness to me.











Thanks for reading ....Layno!!!

PS.. Lucky and Sonny say hello as well

Love you Lucky ...Sonny - get the fuck off me!