Fried Caterpillars

Mothers Without Borders
Probably the highlight of the week was attending a fund-raising dinner for a friend who works with an organization who works with orphaned children in Africa. These children have been left behind from parents who have died do to AIDS and other illnesses. The family that brought this subject to our attention, Allison and Shayne Stokes, have been several times and have wonderful stories about the children they have worked with and adults that are trying their hardest to provide for their families and others. Linda was asked by Allison to help with the money collection because of her extensive background in off site banking. I was asked to help with the auction. Both of us were happy to help. They auctioned off several hand crafted Zambian items that were the hit of the event. Linda has made it a goal to someday accompany Allison to Africa to help and meet some of these awesome kids. Besides the auction we had adinner of traditional buffet food. Pasta, vegetables, meatballs, and chicken. However, the event would not be complete without the offerings of a few traditional Zambian choices. There was a corn meal offering, a relish (salsa -like) topping or dipping sauce for it, a Zambian fried chicken that was finger licking, and no dinner would be complete without Fried Caterpillars!! We were told they were a real treat for the children and that they were a "potato chip" like snack for the kids. As I put a couple on my plate I had in my head a French's Fried Onion like taste as they looked very similar. I put a big fat one in my mouth. Texture was good, initially, taste was fine. Then I bit into the little sucker. Nope, not an onion!! It had a little bit of an after taste, but at the end of the day and for the purpose of this Blog I can report we both ate a caterpillar, I drank my drink rather quickly, but I ate a caterpillar.

Blue and Gold
Hunter had his last Blue and Gold dinner on Friday. For those that aren't aware what the Blue and Gold dinner is a scouting celebration that recognizes the "Cub Scout Birthday". Hunter did a small charades act to demonstrate some of the activity pins that Webelos can earn. One of the Sisters made an awesome Cub Scouts cake and all who attended brought something for the potluck. Hunter's last cub scout activity will be next month when he builds his final pinewood derby.

Volleyball
On Saturday AnnaLynn and I went to watch some club volleyball. Our friend's daughter who is in the 8th grade plays on a club team and was in a tournament. They played several matches and played very well. They made it to the Championship match and lost in 3 hard fought sets. They had a chance to win in the 2nd set, but a couple unfortunate plays cost them the match. We have not signed AnnaLynn up for volleyball so far this year, but she still has the desire and want to play.

Basketball Update
We won our last "regular season" game and finished 2nd. We will have two weeks of tournament play. We are the 2nd seed and hope that we have a the right mix of players for the last three games. It isn't a matter of the type of players, its a matter of the right number of players. Last week 15 showed up and it is difficult to get everyone meaningful playing time.

Taylor is Taylor
This week Taylor had to do a biography report at school this week. Of all people she choose Taylor Swift. Apparently she likes her songs, she thinks she has 3 songs, she thinks shes pretty, long curly hair with sparkly eyes. Taylor dressed up like Ms. Swift and even had her hair curled. She feels like she did a good job on the report and is waiting for her grade.


Hunter's Cultural Activity
This week Hunter went to the Symphony and has decided that he is not interested in the attending future events. I personally think that it was not the music that he found "boring and hideous" and it was the fact that he had to wear "hanger clothes", Sunday shoes and a tie. The teacher insisted that they kids dress the part and Hunter would rather shove an ice pick in his ear than wear those clothes to school. His standard wardrobe is a Florida Gator shirt and one of four pairs of shorts.

Handi-Craft Club
The girls had their club this week and were able to work on their stuff. They started new projects and hope to finish them both before next week.


Luckily we have a pretty boring week scheduled this upcoming week but as usual we will always have something to report.