Storage, Snakes, and a Cast

 Last week I wrote about finally getting our shipment and wondering where to put everything.  I said I would post pictures and here are a couple:

As you can see, the containers were not full but even so it was a lot of boxes.....191 in total.  The workers were very careful and everything came through without breakage.  Of course we got things we had not expected......the box would say....."storage" but came to Soyo.....  We are just leaving those things in the boxes for when we move again.  I know that we shouldn't be surprised.



You will also note that the wooden boxes that are being opened are poorly packed.  We believe that was when customs looked through our shipment in Houston, this is when the packing back into the wooden crates was poorly done.  It is what it is and we are glad that we have put pretty much everything away here.  Just need to get some personal pictures on the walls.

I had mentioned that Ms Kitty was so happy to get her kitty condo back......doesn't she look like she is smiling?








I went to see our wildlife group last week to see what new critters they have rescued.  They had a new whip snake and it was whipping itself around as Warren was holding it.  It is not poisonous....and had been injured because they found it on the base where they were cutting back long grass.  They had a python but had already returned it to the wild in a new location away from the population.

It is interesting with the frequent visits to the wildlife people and the education that Warren or Tim give with each snake they have caught as well as their obvious comfort being around these creatures, I am finding my interest is growing and my aversion is lessening.  These snakes have soft skin and are quite amazing how they defend themselves but also relax once they realize there is no danger.....amazing.....

James and me

I had been trying to get better into good health.  Remember several weeks ago I reported that I had fallen outside of the company bus and bruised my knee....well.....several weeks later the swelling was somewhat diminished but there was a rather large knot on the outside of the knee and so I thought walking would help.....get it moving.....so I started walking with a friend but this just aggravated the pain and swelling so I went to the Kwanda base clinic and met with the medic, James, and Dr. Nicolas.  They too saw the swelling and had an Xray taken.....this is why I am in the baggy pants.....no hospital gowns.....so I'm keeping my clothing on.   The Xray showed no break......thank God.....and the decision was that I probably had injured the ligaments and needed to have the area immobilized......or I could fly to the capital where they have a MRI machine.....and then they could immobilize it there and send me back.......hmmmmm....the result was the knee needed to be immobilized so I skipped the trip to the capital and the overnight that would be necessary and asked for the cast here.

Now this clinic is basics only and they did have 4 rolls of casting material that I saw.....it took 3 to cast my knee and 1/2 way up my thigh......  I couldn't help myself and asked the doctor if I could have a pink, blue, or green cast.  He just looked at me.....and I smiled.....then he laughed.  James picked up some Mercurochrome and offered to splash some on the cast for color......we were all having fun then....but how to get home?  My knee is in a functional position but can't fit behind a seat in the car.....my legs are too long.....so I had to put my left foot through the front seats and the driver had to drive around it......and try to get the emergency brake off without touching my foot......his need, not mine.  Bryan went to our friend's home that has the hospice donations stored there and they got me a walker.....and I can get up and around the house somewhat......and I must say the pain in my knee is much less.....but 2 weeks????  14 days???  366 hours.....wow.....  Bryan is helping me...cooking for me...serving me.....and washing my hair.  I am a lucky woman to have such a sweet husband!!!