Virtual Africa: Lake Malawi

 

Stretching to the horizon...Lake Malawi is HUGE. 

It covers 1/5 of the country of Malawi.

 Malawi Overview 

https://youtu.be/zgMWEqLWT6g

The 5th largest freshwater lake in the world.

It is a meromictic lake meaning the layers of its waters stay stratified and do not mix. Slight chemical differences and thermal differences are the cause of this. 

360 miles long...47 miles wide and 2,316 miles deep at its deepest point.

David Livingstone would see it in 1859 and refer to it as The Lake of Stars...because of all the Malawian fishermen with their lanterns on its surface after dark. 

Biodiversity distinguished this lake from other places in Africa. Although large predators are fairly limited to Nile Crocodiles, Hippos and Monkeys...there are thousands of species of fish found here. Some which have evolved and are found nowhere else in the world. Nearly 1000 separate and different species of Cichlids have evolved here. 

Because of their bright colors and diversity...these are sought after for aquarium fish.

Along with Tilapia, a common edible fish in this lake is the Kampango Catfish. These catfish sometimes grow to lengths of 5 feet long.

To put this in perspective, I measure 5 feet four inches. Some are only 4 inches less than I am tall...

Malawi also has 28 different species of snails and a single crab species ( Malawi blue-crab).

 

Shifting like streams of smoke the lake flies are visible from the shoreline.

You might say

"What are a few flies???"

But, and I have seen similar on the Great Lakes in Michigan...believe me...you do not want to see them up close.

 The black plumes are literally millions of individual flies.

Lake Malawi

https://youtu.be/44EzcfpM5tk

Next time we will check out the Scottish Cities I was telling you about.

 

Until then!

 

 

 

 

 

Aiden is 7...Sister's Day...and a Zen Weekend

 "You eat all the time!" I mutter to my calico Manx, who has revisited that dry food dish for the 4th time as though something may have spawned there since her last visit.

Of course, I am saying this around a random forkful of leftover chicken salad from yesterday's brunch.

She is not impressed.

With Covid restrictions slowly lifting now, I have either got to stop the mindless eating...or buy bigger jeans.

Busy week...finally celebrating Aiden's 7th Birthday here.

With Chris and Aunt Tina, too!

And now that we have all been vaccinated...resuming Sister's Day...after way too long apart.

Complete with Happy Birthday to US!

...yeah...we are all carrying the extra 20 Covid pounds..so what is one more cupcake, eh?

Actually, brunch looked like this.

The chicken salad recipe a favorite from Almost Home with red grapes and pecans added.

It was great to be back together...we painted and caught up and planned our
Sister's Day for next month.  A homemade cookie exchange with tea.

To get a real feel for how long it had been...Tina grew this gourd in her garden...dried it...cleaned it out and painted it as a birdhouse for me...last year.

IKR????

Great news on the Covid-front...where we have noted a drop of 25% in new cased this week alone.

Although the transit...and all public transportation is continuing mask protocol...the CDC has now said that people who have had both shots are protected and can neither build up enough viral load to get sick or pass Covid to others.

They say that we are safe unmasked outdoors and in.

Individual businesses and masking protocol still applies.

Went out for the first time in nearly a year...maskless.

To be honest...not only did it feel odd...it felt too soon.

I will be wearing mine a little longer.

Just enjoying a laid back Zen Sunday, today.  73 and sunny...played in the plants a bit...and basked on NPB with a novel.  I am now sun-kissed.

The Patio Garden and Borders are starting to take hold...glad the cold is gone. Gave the Boxwoods badly needed trimmings, and they are spherical again...more or less.

My purple irises are up and bloomed and I've brought a bouquet inside. So the living room smells a lot like grape Kool-aide, now.

The roses are budded...also noted the sawflies are back...got to get Rose Spray before they skeletonize the leaves again.

The Hostas are up...but lost my Mouse Ears over the winter. Just going to replace it with the hardier Blue Angel and call it a day.

The catnip has now reseeded itself over two pots and is up about 3 inches.

The Ostrich Ferns have started but are pretty sparse...not sure I am keeping them.

Did some sprigging today with my variegated Ivy.

Came in for a nice 2 hour nap with the Sofi-Cat...the very best thing about retirement...the naps!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend...

 

Virtual Africa: Malawi

 

Malawi (muh-laa-wee) is a completely landlocked sliver of a country next to Zambia. So what is with the sailboat?  A huge lake covers 1/5 of the entire country!!!

Lake Malawi...and we will explore this more in the upcoming days is ENORMOUS..

The country has an area of 45,747 square miles.

The capital and another large city within were settled by the Scottish, so there is another surprise we will delve into this week.

Malawi is considered one of the least developed countries on Earth. With a low life expectancy, high infant mortality and still in the grips of an HIV/AIDS epidemic.

David Livingstone discovered Malawi when the only people who were here were the Bantu...and the British Consul soon took up residence. The Indian Ocean Slave Trade took an estimated 20,000 people from this region in the mid-1800's.

Still..this tiny country boasts a population of 18.5 million people.

There are a mixture of Asians, Europeans and Natives living here.

The official language is English...with its secondary being  Chichewa (a Bantu language).

Example

https://youtu.be/yyFsmiNXqXg

Some basic phrases in Chichewa

https://www.malawianstyle.com/blog/basic-chichewa/

Malawi is a Christian country...mostly Presbyterian.

Both government healthcare and primary education is free to the people here.  

Because of the massive lake and smaller rivers, tea and fish tend to figure heavily into the local cuisine.

Malawi Village

Next time we will take a more detailed look at Lake Malawi.

 

Until then...

 

 

 

 

Brunches...2021 Gardens...Morels...Chris and Tina's 2nd Anniversary...Aiden is 7....and an Early Mother's Day

 

A whirlwind of activity this week...complete with another Spring Brunch with Diane and Brenda...this time with morels...

And the return of James and family from Colorado...and Nicole bringing me the last of the Yellows near their house.

Pre-Mother's Day Venison

(...I know what I'll be fixing for dinner tomorrow...)

And a Blue Buddha they picked up in Colorado...which Sofi had to inspect!

 "Nope...ya can't eat it..."  -Sofi

 

Thanks, Guys!

My Patio Garden and Borders are slowly coming along.

And the white lilies seem to have no lasting effects from the late snowfall.

Used the last of Lennon's giftcard for some items for NPB.

Thusfar, only one good 80 degree beach day this season. I am sure there are many more to come, but the rain and then cold front has made this a challenge. Woke up to 38 degrees this morning! The only thing I am basking in front of is the heat...with hot tea, the cat, and a good book.

But ready when it is warmer.

Chris and Tina celebrating their 2nd Anniversary...and she made Wife of the Year with a handmade (etsy) guitar hanger for his new Martin...in the shape of a Martin Guitar Pick.

  Anxious to hear tales from Pennsylvania...where among other things (and a resort hotel) they had plans to check out Gettysburg and the Battlefield, The Liberty Bell in Philly, Some trout fishing and hiking.

 

...making chocolate...

 

I know the trout fishing was successful!

Aiden is 7 now...and we will be getting together for his birthday next Thursday!

Life is Good...and I am blessed.

The Book this Week:

An author I have literally been reading for...well...since his hair had a color besides gray....lol.

There have been so many PREY books...I've lost count.

Sadly, this was not one of his best efforts.

Plodding, predictable, and the humor sprinkled throughout the serious story...falls flat.

I wouldn't suggest this one.

Unless you suffer from insomnia, and just need a way to fall asleep.

This Week's Movie

A re-watch of the 2004 film with Don Cheadle. Since we will soon be exploring this area virtually...it seemed a good choice.

A true story of one man who made a difference to 1200 people's lives during the genocide that occurred between the Hutu-Tusi's in 1994...where a million people were slaughtered.

Cheadle is exceptional in his role. 

If you have never seen it...do.

If you have...watch it again.

Worried about Angie...who, months later, is still suffering side-effects from her bout with Covid.

A Long-Hauler.

One of her most recent creative projects...I want to try one soon.

She is going to stain the clips with Old English to make them more antique-looking.

I think this would be a wonderful way to display photos of the kids and grands.

John has been dodging the raindrops and fishing a lot with the guys...and taken on the moniker Super Net Man at the lake...as in

"OMG...Get The Net!!!"

They have pulled in some 14...15 and 17 pounders, recently.

We are counting the days until our May Adventure and tomorrow marks 3 years of being back together exclusively!!!

Yes...I LOVE Us, too :)

Have a Great Weekend!

 

"You Can't See ME!"  -Gadget

 

 

Addendum:  A knock on the door and the kids have made it back from PA and came bearing tales of Bear Creek Mountain Resort...and trout fishing...and Philly...and Hershey Park and bearing Mother's Day Breakfast...and  chocolate!

What a great surprise!

Virtual Africa: Zamrock

 To understand Zamrock you probably need to put it in context.

It was the 1970's.

Change and revolution were everywhere.

Even Zambia.

There were probably Zambian parents who were rolling their eyes and shaking their heads just like the US; who were bemoaning music going to hell in a handbasket when Led Zepplin, Floyd, The Beatles or the Rolling Stones were played loudly.

"Mulenga...I'm saying TURN THAT DOWN!!!! Don't make me come in there..."

I'm just saying.

Zamrock began from traditional Zambian Music.

Traditional Zambian (Mao)

https://youtu.be/ViXV9TmxeN4

Kalindula Music

Now imagine that you were listening to some traditional US song...Swanee River...for instance.  Except this time, it was being covered by AC/DC or Marilyn Manson.

Yeah...it is a bit like that.

A mix of African music with psychedelic rock, garage rock, blues and funk.

Documentary

https://youtu.be/mwzeqPFLWL0

One of the most popular Zamrock Bands was WITCH (...we are here to cause havoc...) who had a following like our Grateful Dead. People would follow WITCH from gig to gig...place to place.

WITCH Full Album

https://youtu.be/yMHlkvJbWos

ZAMROCK was popular from 1970 until 1979.

The Original Blue Vinyl Album now listed on eBay for $199.99 plus $35.00 shipping.

Of the original band only one member is surviving today...

Next time we will discover the country of Malawi 

 

 

Virtual Africa: Zambia

 

Zambia (...pronounced Zam-Bee-UH) is the crossroads of Southern, Central and East Africa. 

https://youtu.be/JZdeqUl-5Dc

https://youtu.be/ADk8gRsuYTY

To give you some idea of how huge the continent of Africa actually is...check out this map.

18 countries, including the US, Russia and
China would fit inside...with room to spare.

Zambia was formerly known as Rhodesia.

This area shows human habitation over 250,000 years ago. 

Zambia has a tropical climate with hills, mountains and plateau...crisscrossed with rivers.

It has a rainy season and a dry season.

The area is filled with flowers, plants and nearly 300 species of mammals.

Most of the people here are of Bantu descent and 90% speak Bantu.

The majority of Zambians are Christian.

Many of these are Jehovah's Witnesses.

The official language of Zambia is English and is used for all business.

There remains an HIV/AIDS epidemic here...and roughly 16% are infected.

A lot of their tourism is based on the three huge game reserves in the country.

Interestingly, they developed a musical style in the 1970's called ZAMROCK that was a mix of traditional Zambian music and early rock.

We will explore this music of Zambia next time.

 

May...Colorado and the Kids...And a Well Deserved Rest

 

Gorgeous and 74 degrees and NPB is open for business!

The scent of the month....Wrapped in Your Arms...a delightful floral mix of peony...tulips...maybe a hint of hyacinth...but predominately old rose.

I bought the lotion, body gel and light fragrance spray..and the candle might be next.

Huge caveat...the bees also think it smells wonderful...maybe not for basking.

Busy week with Brenda and Diane and brunch, morels and shopping.

I have literally gorged on morels all week and probably won't get any more now until next season.

sigh

Saw the kids and grands, Tuesday, before they flew off to Colorado...to see Nicole's side of the family and the grands to meet their great grandmother.

Nicole and Kaylee have been photographing...well..everything! 

It is wonderful to see their adventures!

Canon, Colorado.

More pictures as soon as I sort them...lol

Making "Cockscomb" (...similar to perogi...) with Grandma.

 

And a note from KB simply stating

I LOVE it here!!!!

Nicole and I shared a few things before they left.

She has been getting into herbs, medicine and making soaps, lotions and potions.

I have wonderful books to share on the subject.

She made me Pink Grapefruit and Violet Soap...also Coffee Soap...both are incredible!

My oldest son

"She's a WITCH..Mom!!!"

Exhausted today...and planning a couple weeks off from people in general.

I love everyone but after a couple weeks of non-stop socialization even the cat gets on my nerves....lol

Getting the borders and patio gardens planted...and some Spring Cleaning attended to.

Lennon called today and has his second Covid vaccine now...other than a sore arm and a few chills last night...no real reaction.

Chris and Tina are soon to celebrate their 2nd Anniversary...and plunder Pennsylvania :)

Back to Virtual Africa next week! 

Enjoy Your Weekend!!!