Category Archives: Uncategorized

Another day shrouded in grey. Winter in mainland Switzerland often means days on end of fog – thick fog that engulfs the village and obscures the hills around, or high fog that obscures the sun. I’ve become a sun worshiper … Continue reading →

Twenty years ago Robert and I moved to Westlock County, Alberta, Canada. Our farm felt a long ways from nowhere, far from family and friends. One night in that first lonely season darkness had settled around the new house we’d … Continue reading →

A Zambian friend, Henry, sent me an email yesterday to my question as to what the loan interest rates in Zambia were if the loan was in the local currency, the Kwacha. Here’s his answer: “Believe it! It’s actually 28% … Continue reading →

Last week I followed an inspector around some of the meadows in our corner of Switzerland. Paul Leu was checking to see if the meadows, hedges and fruit trees were eligible for a new government agriculture subsidy program that was … Continue reading →

We left Zambia in its fall: dry corn stalks and combines harvesting soybeans. Where there’s irrigation the winter wheat is emerging a soft green. Those that have access to water are busy planting vegetable gardens. There won’t be any rain … Continue reading →

Last night I had tea with my friends Vivienne and Margaret. “Tell me, Marianna, what do the Mzungus think of Africa and Africans?” Margaret asks. (Mzungus is the term for Westerners, or whites as they call them here in Zambia.) … Continue reading →

It’s been two years since I last visited Zambia. I stepped out the door of the plane, and my smile stretched from ear to ear. I was surprised myself at how very happy I was to be back. Those who … Continue reading →

Farmers are often perceived as whiners, never happy really with their lot. “If a farmer isn’t complaining, something is probably wrong with him,” is a Swiss saying I heard while growing up. There does seem to be something to that. … Continue reading →

It’s spring in Switzerland. Dandelions bloom golden under airy brides of cherry and pear trees. The birds trill their cheeriest melodies for prospective mates. There really wasn’t ever what can be called a proper ‘winter’ this year. Hardly was there … Continue reading →

Happy New Year everyone! At the start of a new year, I’ll pass on what my now deceased friend Joanne asked me once: What do you want the next chapter of your life to look like? You might not be … Continue reading →