Saturday, May 5, 2012

africa journals

keeping my promise, here is the final count of pockets for africa: two hundred and eighty nine pockets are coming with me. and pockets, and toys, beads, lollies, and pens. audrey, your pockets arrived, and kj your pens, more pockets came from debbie in england and sylvia in sweden, and from erin, kathleen, and deb in canada. bella, your toys are here, and anushka and amy and maddy and abby sent pockets. pockets from carol and heather, and wendy, angelica, claire in england. and laurinda sent money to help with the additional bag cost. 

whew. 

again, without words here, i'm just hoping you know how much this means to me ( i know you do) and what it will mean to the new friends we give these to. i said one time it was a small thing, but now i am sure it's not a small thing at all . i thank you all with all my heart. i never imagined something like this, i really never did. 






bella drew on her envelope. me on a bird with a camera and knitting needles. 
sorry for the blurry photo, i might have had a tear in my eye.


X X X 






here we are, our long awaited for trip is finally come, we leave monday morning (eek!). bags are pretty much packed, i'm bringing one (heavy) camera backpack, one small rollie carry on, and a large duffel full of woolly pocket love to check. our itinerary printed out to twenty nine pages. saved packing lists from previous trips are helpful, so crossing my fingers here nothing will be forgotten. aside from my cameras, there is a prized possession always remembered, it's my travel journal. i've been making these books of trips taken since i was seventeen years old (still have them all) . the above book was made three years ago on our last trip to africa, to zimbabwe and botswana. when i returned  friends had wanted to read it, so trying to figure the best way to make that happen, i scanned it to share. i think i've found a better way.

africa journals is a now a blog. it's the above journal scanned in, in it's entirety. printed by hand (at times messy) it's what i kept during the trip, writing every day. if you've ever wondered what it's like to take a safari, this is one account of what one is like. i really hope, if you read it, it'll give you a sense of place, one  that i love so much, africa.

click on the photo to go. after monday, i'll see you in three weeks (i'll be bringing an ipad, but i'm not sure if i'll be able to post), my goodness i'm going to miss you.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx lori


68 comments:

  1. I tried to go to your "Africa Journal" and it says that I need an invitation. I'm looking forward to reading it and hearing about your current trip. All those pockets and goodies ~ they are amazing...

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  2. Have an absolutely wonderful time Lori!
    We'll all be very eager for your return and stories.Such a bounty of treasures go with you,,,,people are amazing, aren't they?
    Off to check on your "Africa Journal",,,,,thank you.
    And be safe.
    Hugs for those children!

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  3. Bon voyage...have an amazing time...how exciting...

    ...just going to read your journal now...

    Deb

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  4. Wow amazing pockets! have a wonderful trip. Popping over to enjoy your 'africa journal' now.

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  5. All those pockets - so touching and so very glad to be a part of it. Have a wonderful trip! Now to reading your journal!!

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  6. have a wonderful time. safe travels. ((hug))

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  7. Those pockets are amazing, all the rainbow colours!
    Have the best time Lori, I'll be thinking of you!
    Love
    Linda

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  8. Have a safe trip and a wonderful time. The pockets are amazing!

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  9. Lori, I have a tear in my eye too. I adore that drawing on the envelope.

    Have a safe trip and I am sure you will make some glorious memories for you, your husband and all those wonderful children you will spend time with.

    Stephanie

    ps I am SO sorry I couldn't participate. Life sometimes simply takes over. NEXT TIME, I hope.

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  10. have a magical trip and haste ye back safely
    x

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  11. Safe travels and enjoy Africa!!!
    xxxx Alessandra

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  13. ♥ I had a round crocheted one that was mostly yellow...many years ago...I look forward to following your trip on Africa Journals!!!

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  14. Have a gloriously wonderful adventure, Lori. I am amazed but not truly impressed by your pile of pockets. Fiber artists are such amazing and generous people. So happy so many helped you with your task. Enjoy.

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  15. Oh yay Lori! I was hoping you would ake your journal public. I LOVE the mix of handwritten notes, stubs and sketches. I really understand what Africa means to you and the magic of the people and beauty of the land. They say Africa has a way of calling us back to ourselves, and I think that is true. When I landed in Kenya, on the Massai Mara, I felt as if I was coming home. Be safe. Have wondrous adventures and be ready to share when you get back!! Love, Lyn

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  16. I going to miss you too my dear Lori. I know you and your Chuck are in for an amazing adventure and I can't wait to hear all about it! Love you.

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  17. You will be missed Lori. I hope you have a safe and wonderful journey.
    Have the best of times.
    Camilla
    xo

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  18. Wow Lori, so much love arrived by mail! I wish I had sent something. All I can send now is a big hug and my warmest wishes for the best trip EVER!! It will be magical, I'm sure of it.

    I'm looking forward to reading the new blog. What a great idea!

    Stay safe. I know you will make many new friends on this journey.

    xoxo
    Love,
    Lo♥

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  19. Safe travels my friend!! I absolutely love your journal and how nifty you scanned the entire book :)

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  20. Safe journey, dear friend. I so happy that I found your blog and could be a little part of your trip...I have a tear in my eye. XOXO

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  21. Lori, this is so wonderful and exciting! I'm sorry I didn't get any pockets to you, but I see that your new friends in Africa will be well cared for. So, I send my love and kind wishes to accompany you and each gift you give. Looking forward to following your journal. Have a wonderful, wonderful trip!

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  22. Have a wonderful and safe trip...will miss you and will be looking for your posts. Take good care xo

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  23. so wonderful! i am so happy so many people have sent trinkets and pouches. there is goodness out there and this is proof :)

    have a safe and wonderful trip!

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  24. Have a safe trip. Can't wait to hear about it. I am in love with your Africa journal. I beg you to turn it into a book. Book made of scanned pages with you beautiful handwriting

    Love,
    Bhavana

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    1. Lori, over the last few weeks since you put out a request for knit pockets and trinkets, the word "amazing" continues to appear in your writing and in the comments section. It is amazing the outpouring of heartfelt affection that people have shown you and the children you will be gracing with these gifts.

      I'll miss reading your inspiring blog entries. However in your style of giving back, I so appreciate that you've downloaded your journal. I've started reading it, and I'm excited to share a portion of it with my Kindergarten class. By doing so, I can share with them the children in another culture and encourage these young writers and artists to record their own life adventures.
      Safe travels to you and Chuck!
      Love,
      Debbie

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  25. Have a wonderful trip! YAHOOOO!!!!! (I'm excited for you!). xoxo Pam

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  26. Wishing you safe travels and blessings for a wonderful journey! Tammy

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  27. Dear Lori, you know that we shall you and we wait your news!
    Your notebook-journals are so beautiful and I love the hanging label on them! Thank you for sharing via blog - I shall read it from 'cover to cover'!
    Your pocket mission became really special and exiting! That is amazing collection and so beautiful! I think I need to make one around one for myself!
    I wish you all the best and unforgetable (I'm sure it will be again) and fantastic journey!
    Hugs and kisses! xxx Teje
    PS. Thank you so much for joining my trip to Finland! I shall share more photos and you can see them when you'll be back.

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  28. Oh Lori. I just read the entirety of your Africa journal scans. So amazing! What a brave, thoughtful, generous, all around spectacular woman you are! I hope you and Chuck have another wonderful trip. Stay safe and fill yourself with wonder! (:

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  29. Have a wonderful, wonderful trip.

    started viewing your other blog - I love that it starts off with a picture from Tessa - how wonderful. I am on page 20 and it's so easy to read, you have such great handwriting and a way of describing things -

    looking forward to the next installment.

    love!!! mim

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  30. Just look at all that colorful wonderful-ness and love!!! I just know this will be a trip of a lifetime--and while I'm not wishing your trip away-----just know, we all can't WAIT for your return with all the wonderful memories and photos.
    I can't wait to spend some serious time immersed in your journal....thanks so much for sharing this.
    Safe travels, lots of hugs!!

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  31. Oh, Lori, thank you for the Africa Journal blog. I can't wait to hop on over and read. I'm getting really homesick for Africa...

    Wishing you the happiest journey yet.

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  32. Lori, this made me cry and have a hot flash :-). It is all so wonderful. I will miss you so much. Have a magical trip, I know you will and while you are gone I will read your journal and maybe it will help me not miss you so much. Love you. xoxo

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  33. Lori, this made me cry and have a hot flash :-). It is all so wonderful. I will miss you so much. Have a magical trip, I know you will and while you are gone I will read your journal and maybe it will help me not miss you so much. Love you. xoxo

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  34. Aaah, Lori you are beautiful! Wishing you a very relaxing journey to a wonderful place! I'll miss your gentle words here in this space ..... See you soon xx

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  35. Lori, sleep well on your last night before the journey. I can't wait to hear from you, but take all the time you've got to be where you are, don't worry about your blog, us, you know what a mean? There'll be enough time to tell us everything in three weeks, we know its worth waiting ;-)
    Take care!!! Gesche

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  36. My jaw dropped when I read that you received 289 pockets! What a generous community we have.
    Have a wonderful and safe trip.
    I can't wait to hear all about it!
    Audrey

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  37. Whoaaaaaaaa! A large bag just for the pockets! See? You truly do inspire us all. Aww, Lori, I am SO excited for you. The long awaited day is nearly here! Wooohoooo!!!! Happy, safe travels. I hope you are dazzled with beauty and magic. Most of all, I hope you have oodles of fun! We will all miss you. xoxoxo

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  38. Have a safe, wonderful trip! I am so thankful for your other African blog. You're a source of continuous inspiration and you're so generous. Looking forward to you diary notes....

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  39. dear lori and dear chuck: my heart travels with you ♥

    . “When we get out of the glass bottle of our ego and when we escape like the squirrels in the cage of our personality and get into the forest again, we shall shiver with cold and fright. But things will happen to us so that we don’t know ourselves. Cool, unlying life will rush in.” – D. H. Lawrence

    . “To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.” – Freya Stark

    . “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

    . “Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” – Miriam Beard

    . “All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.”

    love kj

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  40. Lori,
    Safe travels! Love your journal blog - will look forward to reading it. Sending good thoughts your way - have a wonderful time! :) Susan

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  41. Have a wonderful time Lori & Chuck!
    Looking forward to reading your Journal Blog ♥

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  42. Felice inizio settimana....ciao

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  43. Safe travels Lori and Chuck! <3

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  44. Lori, I hope you and Chuck have a safe journey. I look forward again to following your journey. All the little pockets you have....people are amazingly generous, aren't they? I hope they all have love and good luck charms tucked into them along with the sweet little toys...Aden

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  45. Bon voyage, Lori! Have a magical time, and I can't wait to hear all about it when you get home. :)

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  46. Have a wondrous time in Africa Lori! I know everyone you meet will be blessed by your kindness and your warm, loving, big beautiful heart.

    G
    p.s. I can't wait to read your Africa Journal, and I'm so impressed that you've kept journals of your trips since you were 17!! I always intend to keep a journal but don't ;(. Next time!

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  47. Three weeks Lori! I don't know if I can bear it! You will be in my thoughts and prayers, Have a wonderful time!!!!

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  48. Oh Gosh,I hope you read this,I'm sure your busy getting ready,but please accept my big hug dear friend.Have a safe trip and take tons of pictures to share with us...yes because we are selfish and eagerly wait to look at all the magic you capture with a lens.Have fun,& Be safe friend,love Cat

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  49. I may have must missed you but BON VOYAGE! Have a wonderful time. Can't wait to hear all about it xxx

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  50. By now you are on your way or have arrived in Africa!
    OMG how excited you must feel. Kind of coming home!
    What a load of heart warming gifts you are bringing :)
    How nice you got help of all of your friends.
    This trip will give us loads of beautiful pictures so we can make the trip with you!
    Have fun enjoy every moment dear♥

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  51. awe lori! i'm so excited for you and this post makes me a little teary. this is so wonderful all the knitting love! i thought of you all monday and was sending you light. i will keep you in my mind's eye during your journey. i wish you guys a beautiful experience.

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  52. Have a WONDERFUL time Lori, I'll be thinking of you and your amazing journey, and imagining all the joyful faces at seeing those wonderful gifts, oh the excitement is going to be extraordinary! Take all our love and fondness with you on your journey. Love Vanessa xxx

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  53. I will miss you Lori, have a safe trip and have a wonderful time there! I´ll be here waiting for your news!
    Love,
    Mina

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  54. An impressive, uplifting final count. But somehow, I don't think it's the "final" one at all. And now that I see that you got some from Canada IN TIME, I'm kicking myself for being a postal-doubter and not sending some along too.

    Blessed travels, friend.

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  55. Wow. Have just found your blog and will definitely become a follower. Have a wonderful trip. I'll be just 'down the road'in South Africa so keep your campfire burning through the night and maybe I'll see it!!! Travel safe. lol x

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  56. I just dropped by to say I miss you! Hope you are having a wonderful time.

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  57. Wow! What a lot of love. And we'll miss you too! xxxxx ENJOY

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  58. This is amazing. I am moved to tears by those who mobilized to help you out. You bring out the best in people, for sure, Lori, and you also have some pretty amazing friends that are incredible just on their own. :)

    Have a safe, wonderful trip filled with many, many blessings.

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  59. I am so glad you got so many pockets and little things to fill them with. I hope your trip will be wonderful!

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  60. Oh, how exciting! Safe travels to you and hope you have an amazing time.

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  61. Lori,

    Will surely miss you and am sure you will have a wonderful time...so much loved packed with you...so much excitement...I just loved what Bella drew...:)Have a safe trip...

    Shantana

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  62. This reduced me to tears. Such generosity as you are encountering seems so rare in this world... I needed to read this post today. I am loving your journal. I don't know where you found the time! HUGS... have a safe trip!

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  63. Wow, I'm bummed that I somehow missed out on contributing something to your journey.

    You've been missed. I echo KJ.

    Love and welcome home weary one,

    Sharon

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xoxo lori