They have some in the US and Canada, but they're not allowed on the tables. It's an adoption technique.

What upsets me is the hundreds of animals, not only cats and dogs, returned or let out on the streets or fields after the initial Covid situation. We are a disposable society; man, woman, child, animal, whatever no longer suits our perception of ourselves.

A friend went on a visit to Congo and sent me some pictures.  I am devastated, stunned by the deterioration of the country suffering from wars and bad management.





   

   

lake Kivu



Look at the sky, before the next rain




This is such a different world from what you all know!



 

About the Panzi Foundation

https://panzifoundation.org/
https://panzifoundation.org/the-hospital/

Bubble - Fascinating pictures!  I would like to know more about each one.  I haven't read about the Ponzi Foundation yet, but I will.   I've been interested in Congo, ever since I read  "The Poisonwood Bible",  many years ago. 

One more: unusually big crop!

Fascinating photos, Bubble. What is the "crop"? We don't get to see photos of the REAL life in any other countries, just what they want to show tourists.  Very special what you show.  I've been sorting & bagging up clothes to donate to local organizations & know a Salvation Army worker said "on air" at one time, "70% of clothes donated go to the landfill"... or maybe it was to be used for rags.... huge number. That was her excuse for asking for money instead of things. BUT... I'm not convinced the money goes to the people that NEED & not the pockets of the heads of the organizations. I've been witness to those types and their so called meetings in resorts. So I give to people direct when I find someone in need. In early years various companies would sponsor the shipping when people had drives to send clothes or food to some country in need, not anymore that I'm seeing. I filled a box for 5-9 year old boys a week or so ago & when I turned in the box I was asked for $10 to help with shipping. I gave but thought it was going to local kids & to be honest, the box would have probably had more needy type gifts inside if I had known. I have become cynical the older I get. I can imagine how these photos bother you, Bubble, having lived there in better times, thank you & your friend for sharing.

I don't know... it would be potatoes normally or cassava but from the color it looks like eggplant. Cassava is the main crop for the people there, used as flour.

If anyone gives regularly to Charities, you can look up on-line "Guide Star"; BBB Wise Giving Alliance and the American Institute of Philanthropy. Guide Star is easier to navigate.  You will learn how much of the $$$ goes to advertising, to principal heads of organization, etc.  It is very eye opening in most cases.  Another FYI, if you give to church-backed charities, like the various Indian Schools, they don't have to stipulate where the $$$ go.
Also, I found several years ago that a Cancer organization, who called me annually for donations, over 90% went to advertising and salaries.  I quit taking their calls and donating.

Our first snowfall...and the dance begins. 

Also, I found several years ago that a Cancer organization, who called me annually for donations, over 90% went to advertising and salaries.  I quit taking their calls and donating.

Tome, there are groups that make quilts for cancer patients here in Canada and in the US. This started in the US ,here is the site for anyone to check.

https://www.victoriasquilts.com/

These people go on donations to be able to get fabiric, make the quilts and give out free to cancer patients. I belong to one in Canada and I know no money goes to management it is done by volunteers.

You have got more snow than I do, Amy! Has your canine "woodsman" kept you supplied daily?

How far away does your snow blower throw it, Amy?  I don't see the heap like mine does. Good job, lots of wood stacked back in that shed! I love snow but don't have my equipment switched yet. I think the quilts you make are a true blessing but I'm convinced you get more than 24 hours out of a day!

I checked & discovered "they only have to give 5% of the PROFIT of donations to the organization & they do a good job of hiding those top numbers... excuse for fancy resorts for meetings!  Such a shame, this was some years ago & rules change (usually not for the better).

I thought it looked like might be pomegranates, Bubble, something I don't eat/drink/use, but has become quite popular with the younger people.

Thank you all for posting photos, I appreciate each & every one... candy for the eyes & my whole body enjoys! Got a cat begging for her lunch & then outside for some sun rays.

pomegranates are bright red and not that purplish color. Also they are not harvested in fields, but on trees!

A different location this time.
My son   with a tourist friend went to visit the famous Church of St Mary in Warwick. It is quite famous.

http://www.stmaryswarwick.org.uk/index.php?/stmarysredesign/history

Beautiful church, Bubble! I'm enjoying your son's photographic journeys!

great Avatar Patricia!

It's for the holiday.

I thought it was P for your name?

Patricia , we were blessed with more snow overnight!!!
Yes, Jesse is back to bringing a stick of wood in each night now. Kyle weighed one and it was 5 lbs!!! He doesn't bring the wood in in summer just winter???

Shirley , this snow blower can blow snow 50 feet away..  These is more wood out behind this shed. Thinking we would change over to propane we only ordered one load of wood..we do have oil back up but wood heat is much nicer.

Bubble ,I thought it looked like cassava  the ladies were carrying. Can't imagine how their back feels ,that is a heavy load! Can't help but admire the intricate work in the church. This was before modern machinery to turn this all out.

Jesse is showing he cares by helping to provide for his family. He sounds very creative and loving. He obviously knows you don't need wood when it's warm out.

Amy, we haven't had that much snow, but it's only been two months in. We've been spared the snow so far that came in the past two years. March has, in the past, been our snowiest month. The issue is warm weather and snow or colder weather and little snow but lots of ice.

Bubble that's the symbol for pi. I chose it for Thanksgiving. I've struggled with coming up with Thanksgiving tubes for our holiday graphic forum.

The Eskimos further north carried their babies in their parka hoods; summer parkas were lined with fur in and animal skin and later calico on the outside. Winter parkas were all fur, with both types featuring decorative beading.

Patricia, I knew: I can read Greek, I had 4 years of old Greek in high school, together with Latin.

I was not doubting what you knew but attempting to answer. A play on words.

I was sent this photo of the snow in Buffalo. Can't imagine trying to dig out of all this and it was wet/heavy snow.

That is AWESOME, Amy!  My imagination couldn't even picture it that high! Would be a struggle to even try to borrow an egg, huh?  Consider what slides off the roof to block the doors & sidewalks!

Awesome photo; it made me think of foxholes in a war.

What an amazing sight!  Wondering how long it takes to melt down enough, so people can get around, and road crews can do their work?   Big job ahead for everyone!

I would also be worried about the weight of the snow on the roof of some homes.
Shirley, think I will pass on the egg! .

Haha, Amy, I know I would. Point being would be near impossible to even share foods among the neighbors.     Also my concern that those are not very steep roof lines to shed the weight very fast. Would take some big-wide snow shoes to walk on top of that snow I would think. I've never used them so don't know how they work (the ones that look kind of like tennis rackets). Mind boggling~~