In which Tim takes it down a notch...

I realize that some of my recent entries have been kind of exciting. Sitting through hurricanes, swimming in raging rivers, and cave diving are probably not things that most of you do on a daily basis. Some of you probably think that I lead a thrilling life of adventure. Others might just be terrified on my behalf.

The truth is that most days down here are pretty slow and uneventful. I get up around 7:30 and drink some coffee. I spend my mornings doing work in my own garden, or helping out neigbors who have expressed interest in making one. I have also started building some ceramic cook stoves in my neigborhood. By the time sun gets a little higher it is usually too warm to be working outside comfortably, so I read, write, or do work in the house. I often take an afternoon siesta.

When the sun starts to get a little lower I might do a little more work outside, or settle down for a few games of dominoes with the neigbors. In the evenings I sit and visit with people in their houses or at my house if they decide to come over. I am usually in bed by 9:30.

It is important to know that I am almost never alone in any of these activities. I have a good sized discipleship of small children, ranging in age from 2 to 10. As soon as I open the door in the morning I hear the pitter patter of small feet running to greet me. When I work, they try to help (the bigger ones being a little bit more helpful than the small ones). When I read, they page through the old copies of Newsweek that I have in the house. They have little exposure to mass media and they definitely don't have any kids books, so they are absolutely blown away by the bright photographs and the car ads. One family of kids has decided (based on Newsweek) that the dark skinned man running for President of the United States is actually their father (the resemblance is striking). There are times when the kids get a little wild for my taste and I have to lay down a little discipline. A flip-flop is a great object to swing at the back side of a misbehaving kid. They run like the wind. But all in all I am grateful for the constant companionship. Kids are not held back by the same rules of courtesy or inhibitions as their parents.

I usually go down to the town once a week to read email and try to get some news. It has been hard for a junkie like me to be disconnected from the news cycle during such a fun election. Have there been any explanations given as to why the Republicans have insisted on criticizing Obama for inexperience, but are very excited about putting a sports casting beauty queen from Alaska in a position where she might well be President soon? Let me know if that story is published.

As always, thanks for reading.