[Continued from HERE.]

Like in America, Malawians would do just about anything to find a way to give their children, the children in their care, a better chance at a good life, whatever that may be; even if it means sending their children away.

“Away” doesn’t necessarily require going across an ocean: many over-burdened parents will give one or more of their children to a relative that has the means... more

[Continued from HERE.]

In Malawi, as throughout Africa as a whole, families are strong and children are everything: they are not just an indicator of virility, but of wealth. They are caretakers of the other children. They help around the house. They will be carriers of unwritten history for the entire family and clan as they absorb the stories and histories told by their grandparents and parents only to one... more

[Continued from HERE.]

Generally, no matter how strong one must be to survive, how hard life seems to be in Malawi, most people just get on with the art of living ... with plenty of joy and laughter thrown in for good measure. I have seen women with one or two children strapped to their backs, bent over tilling their fields with short handled hoes suddenly stand up, stretch a bit and start singing, dancing... more

Again, sorry for delays, but... the dog ate my homework... wait, no, that wasn't it, it was the aliens... um, no, sorry, now I remember... my technology is eating me alive... SEND HELP!!!! Thanks for bearing with me. This is continued from HERE

So here we are, at the point where the little picture becomes the big picture and the most important difference between our Jethro fiction and the M fray non-fiction... more

[Continued from HERE]

There have been many un-sung adoptions of children from either different races and/or nationalities by celebrities of various standing in the past, but lately the ‘trendy’ ambience around the adoption of children from undeveloped/third world/whatever-other-condescending-term-one- might-want-to-use countries has created a whole new level of hubbabaloo. It seems as though the new mantra... more

[Continued from HERE]

Is our scenario on the “what-if” trail so different from the real live M fray? Well, yes and no. The core of the situation is the same, but some key details are very different. It seems to me most of the hooplah and hystronics have manifested from two main points of departure between the tales: too much of a good thing often seems to turn into a bad thing, and the U.S. of A is the... more

[Continued from HERE]

Now what if for some strange reason, Jethro’s case came to the forefront of media attention, the chances of which are slim to none. Would anyone other than those completely against any adoption (the “banning” business is just too black-and-white in a world of gray shades to broach right now, so let’s leave it for another discussion) have a problem with the agreement between Earl and the... more

[Continued from HERE … but ages ago!]

I’m sorry it’s been so long for the rest of this. “Technology Meltdown” has been the tune that I sing these days, (is that a song? should be) however, it seems as my laptop is recovering from its recent stroke and, at least for today, my internet is working, so am back online. Thanks for your patience.

The M Fray (which is how I will be referring to the Madonna adoption drama from... more

I have often realized that I must be missing the gene that would compel me to keep abreast of the big celebrity issues the world faces (ahem.) However, in this case the buzz is international, deafening, and some points being made so ridiculous, even I have a hard time ignoring it under the rock by the ocean where I am currently living. So here I am, entering the fray, at least for a minute: the Madonna adoption.

No matter how many different "sides" of the story I hear, I can’t figure out what is upsetting... more

[Continued from the last blog...]

My cousin pointed out, with time zone differences, I am already in “tomorrow” while he still lives in “today...” a situation he thought might give me scoops for betting on horse races and/or playing the stock market and maybe even advance information on the election results. Luckily, he was just kidding... I think. His reminder, however, did act as a catalyst to get me out of bed much earlier than usual to check out election results on the local network broadcast of CNN, which was late Election... more