Shine

Ian volunteered to make a video for Shine where Julie works. It's an early intervention literacy NGO. We spent a morning there shooting the children with their volunteer learning partners. The learning partners are volunteers, some local and some foreign. The space is very small and before the children arrived I anticipated noise and chaos. Not at all. Each child was focused and attentive to the literacy games that the volunteer was playing even though they were sitting within  three feet of the next couple. At times Ian had the camera on the low table inches from the child's face.

"Words change worlds"

At the end of the morning Ian wanted to get a few words from some of the children. They were enthusiastic and very positive about learning to read. Due to the incompetence of Ian's assistant (moi!) the audio didn't come through. I was so mad at myself! Ian was forgiving, bless him.

Ian posted the video on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EEAqWjqme8

After Shine

Julie's mom, Alison, came to pick us up. The plan for the afternoon was to accompany Alison and Simon to Simon's horseback riding lesson. We went to Alison's for a bite to eat first where we met her lovely dogs, Shelley and Jamie! And Nugget! I think Shelley and Jaime, our former tenants, would be happy to know that such friendly canines are carrying their names.


Simon has been taking lessons at the Sleepy Hollow ranch for a few years. The focus is on balance, coordination, posture etc. He was pleased to have such an attentive audience. We clapped once when he did something and after that he kept telling us to clap. Alison said, "Simon, you have to do something for us to clap for." He got it and performed beautifully!

(Click on to enlarge, back space to return)

After the lesson Alison drove us over Chapman'sPeak. Stunning scenery - steep mountain sides, white sand beaches and emerald green water.  We came to a toll booth with only one lane open. The driver in front of us had some issue and was at the booth for 3 minutes, then 5, then 10. Not a blast out of one of the other cars. We sat and we sat. Another lane opened and all the waiting cars went through. A sign of patience and tolerance or just not wanting to create a scene? Not even in Canada would you see such politeness and restraint!