Please join us in August as we get to know Mma Ramotswe in the first book of this series

We'll sit under the acacia tree, sip our redbush tea, and contemplate those issues which might otherwise get pushed aside.

We are ready to roll and will be able to change "proposed" to "scheduled" when we have the requisite number of participants. That's the process.

I am delighted, FRANCYLOU, that you plan on joining us. Wonderful!

WELCOME!

This site has a lot about both the author and his books.

http://www.randomhouse.com/features/mccallsmith/index.html

Let me extend a Warm Welcome to JOAN.K, MARY.Z, HATS, AND EME (Mary)

It is a great pleasure to see you all here!

From me also a Big WELCOME to Annafair and FlaJean.

Do you like to swim, do you swim a lot?

I'm not familiar with Schuler Books. Where are they located?

From the bestselling author of

(in larger type, which I cannot imitate) The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

HEAVENLY DATE And Other Flirtations

Alxander McCall Smith

and underneath

"Reminiscent of Roald Dahl in their dark ironies, these tales of the emotional unexpected are perceptive, deftly written and droll." Michael Faber, author of The Crimson Petal and the White

Grammuzzy, aren't you the smart one, and no doubt the first in our discussion to sample red bush tea.

We have a new heading up now, with some links you may also wish to explore. On both the Africa maps you can click on the country and get more info. On the "Africa Map" link I found some of the forum messages to be quite interesting.

Thanks for the biltong recipes, Denjer. I think I'll let someone else make it, but not these next folks. From your link I went to another link where someone will make it and send it to you. However, they disguise the package so it will pass thru customs, they don't insure it, and if it's confiscated, well tough to you.

Why? For me, I think in part because it's about good people. Folks who want to succeed, but who also want to do the right thing. Precious Ramotswe wanted her agency to succeed, but she wanted to do right by her clients. She would ask herself, what was best for them?

I liked this book because it was simply written. The language is not complicated, it flows, it's simple. You know exactly what is meant. And you see what the author wants you to see -- Mma Ramotswe sitting outside in her dusty yard, under the acacia tree, sipping her redbush tree. I don't know that much about her house, except it's the nicest she ever had. It has electricity, I thnk, not sure about the plumbing, or if there is a cement floor.

But there is much to say. Let's hear it from you.

Joan, -- the abused wife and the abused worker. As you and Traude and Hats have pointed out, McCall Smith's characters simply tell their story, without reproach or complaint, but we the readers understand their sufferings as well as their joys.

Denjer, I loved the story of Precious and the goats picture. The author truly has captured the heart of the child. And what a compassionate Minister of Education to realize the dilemma of this poor child. That's another example of people doing the right thing and treating others kindly.

FlaJean and GramMuzzy, from what I've read somewhere or other, "Mma" is pronounced as "may." Will try to put my finger on that later, but someone else also said as GramMuzzy, that it's "Ma." And what about "Rra" the respectful term for the males in the story?

Scrawler, how interesting that Mma R's messages remind you of your grandfather in Greece. It sounds like both he and our author know how to get their messages across. Already so many of you are saying this is about doing the right thing.

Reenee, it's super duper you're here. Welcome. I'm so glad you've chosen the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency for your first book discussion. "I can see every tree, blade of grass, diamond, verandahs, and of course the characters!" Isn't that the truth. That's why it seems so connected to Africa, for me. I feel like I'm sitting under an acacia tree kicking up dust with my feet.

And you are so right about this book making you want to learn more about Africa, Botswana in particular. I was shocked to find out that the life expectancy of an infant born in Botswana was just a little over 30 years. That's one of the lowest I've heard of. And yet, on the opposite end of the pole, it's seems like a properous country, managing its affairs well, but with 47% of the population below poverty level. Before starting this book I didn't even know where in Africa Botswana was.

Perhaps I could look at Mma's professional techniques, since I've been reading detective novels for years. But no series has had such an appealing "P.I.", one so unique and smart.

Mma says the start of her "career of solving crimes" (p 48) was finding the cash discrepancy at the bus company where she worked. She was not afraid of an honest appraisal, and had the self-confidence to come up with the solution, to the delight of her employer, the husband of her cousin (note no name is given for the cousin -- isn't that interesting!)

Then later, upon opening "the #1 ..." she learning by reading reference books. That reminds me of all of us, as we increase our comprehension of literature and life by on-line communication.

Her father, Obed, was clearly an example to her, as he risked his life (p. 25) as what could be called a whistle-blower. Bravery indeed runs in the Ramotswe family.

The same is true of the link Africa Map and it is lots faster.

Welcome Leah, I hope that you'll continue to join us, even tho you say you don't remember the details.

In the U.S., alas, this has not been an easy part of life for many of us who lived in different regions from elderly parents, who in some cases could not be, or resisted, moving nearby so we could care for them. One hopes as each of us grows older, there is a child like Precious (or a dear friend) who cares until the end. If only this were truly universal!

Hats, I'm so glad you mentioned the cousin. Wasn't she a wise one. I loved her "teaching" techniques, and they weren't far removed from what many of us did with our own children. Remember the "Memory game" -- what do you see, and now what's missing? I played that with my kids, and also with kindergarten classes. And that cousin surely got her on the road to being a good bookkeeper, with all those early math lessons. And as Mippy said, Precious got her start as a detective by finding the cash discrepancy at the cousin's bus company. Yes, Mippy, we do wonder why the cousin was never named.

Thinking about the cousin, whose husband left her because she didn't give him any children (guess he didn't think it had anything to do with him) reminds me of something on TV this week -- the crown princess of Japan, has not yet presented the Crown Prince with a male heir, and she's being harrassed about it.

As Traude and Hats point out, Obed the father is like fathers everywhere, worrying about their daughters and wanting to warn them about certain kinds of men. Definitely a universal experience.

Didn't you love Obed's picture of heaven -- where he would be surrounded by sweet-breath cattle. And wasn't he a wise man, to start building his herd, even when he worked in the mines. Started his pension, so to speak.

What do you think of some of these early cases? I can't imagine a case like Happy Bapetsi's happening in this country. We're not so trusting and a lot of folks don't feel compelled to take care of their relatives. As Mippy says, if only such care was universal.

Hi Francy Lou, glad you're with us, reading No. 1. I've been wondering about the houses in the city (Gaborone) too. What are they made of -- mud, cement? What kind of floor? My guess is that the photo showing huts was a village out in the rural area. At the bottom of page 39 there is an interesting description of the cousin's house, built by her brother-in-law.

Scrawler, I'm glad you brought up the diamond mines, and what years of working in them does to health of the workers. One wonders if conditions have improved. It sounds much like the black lung that miners in the country experienced. It's interesting that so many men left their homes and famililes in order to find work so they could send money home to their families. And that's still happening, not so much by US citizens, but many come here to find jobs, and also in other parts of the world. I did not know before that Botswana has diamond mines and they play a big part in that country's economy.

Good point, Hats, about Mma R solving the bad daddy mystery without the help of modern technology. She just used plain old people insight.

What did you think of the crocodile incident? I don't think I'd ever step foot in water in Africa. I don't know about Florida. Just last week there was an article in the paper about a woman who was landscaping her backyard and a crocodile came up and killed her.

Mal, thanks for the language link, as well as the others. -- very interesting. I guess English is the official language, but most people use Setswana every day. The linked pages are handy because we seem to run into foreign terms in our reading. People who live in Botswana are not called Botswanans, but rather Batswanans? Women -- Matswanan? Not sure on that one.

Many thanks for the links that you've brought. I've been here a while and got caught up in exploring them. What an interesting looking animal the gemsbok is, Joan.

Back in a bit, before the storms hit.

Traude, I'm glad you brought up McCall Smith. He must be a wonderful person. In addition to the wonderful thoughtful books in this series he has written children's books and a variety of books on other subjects. And in addition to his teaching duties he serves on a lot of humanitarian committees. REally, one can't separate this book from McCall Smith or Botswana. They are all so tied together. His website up in the heading is worth looking at.

As are the other links brought to us today by Denjer, Joan and Malryn. These links (and earlier ones) show us what contrasts there must be in Botswana and in all of Africa. Large modern cities, but also a large population that depends on nature for their well-being. A large portion of the population poor, though Mma R doesn't reflect on that, do you think?

Has she said much yet about her religion? We know she went to Sunday School as a child, and her father Obed had a strong belief in God. We also know that some in Botswana have religious beliefs that could be dangerous.

Are there any special pages so far that have tickled your fancy? Traude mentions the doors left open for the chickens to go out, and I loved the scene where Mma Makutsi chases the chicken oout, saying "Out out, no chickens allowed in here." Also enjoyed the bit with her lawyer when Mma R pulled Agatha Christie on him. Such gentle humor, so subtle.

Mal, I spent a bit of time exploring second link in post 108, and went to the Home page of the young woman who submitted the pictures. She has written quite a bit about Botswana, and the article below parallels some of the attitudes towards women that make their way through the novel.

Relevance of Feminism to AIDS

What do the rest of you say about some of the attitudes that show up in this book every now and then?

The last link is a Reuters article about HIV in Botswana dated July 27. Botswana has the highest per capita incidence of HIV in the world.

Botswana AIDS drug queues mushroom as patients die

Skip this last one if you want, but please do read the other one.

On my gosh, didn't mean to ramble so.

Interesting about the baptisms in The Poisonwood Bible. No wonder they weren't eager to be baptized.

What about the fable the kidnappers tell the boy? As Traude says, the boys knows what it means and he struggles to get away. What does it mean. Other than being ominous.

Off on another track -- I've seen fascimiles of three different covers for this book -- one by the New York Times, one by the Cleveland Plain Dealer -- (mine) and somewhere, just this week, one with a quote by Amy Tan. So what's on your cover

PEDLN, I have to read the fable/parable again to see why it struck the child so forcefully, or whether as a westerner can understand it.

As for AIDS, according to the article in TIME, the author said that most Botswanans "won't use it" (the words AIDS) "either"; and yes, it is touchingly acknowledged in the books.

We had a whopper duzy of a thunderstorm last night. Very colorful. I ended up reading by candlelight because the power went out for about five hours. But I haven't heard of any damage in the area, so guess all is well. Hope our techies Jane and Pat have not had problems with the storms plaguing their areas.

That story about the calf -- as Denjer and Traude have said, maybe you have to be indiginous to the area to understand it. I wondered if the boy thought he was going to be turned into a calf. If George is successful in contacting Mr. McCall Smith, perhaps we will get an answer.

Scrawler, that's an interesting point, about this story having a 1950's feel to it. Were we kinder, gentler then? Is Botswana tropical or does it have a change in seasons. Some people say that people live at a slower pace in the tropics, they're not all running around trying to see how much they can get done in a day. Does that slower pace make people nicer, more respectful?

Can't help thinking about Noki. He wasn't so nice and it's because of him that Mma R. lost her baby. Are attitudes about women and their place different? In one of the links Ms Apousson claims that women in Botswana are choosing between getting AIDS or getting beaten up or killed by the men in their life for trying to leave a relationship. It will be interesting to follow that through the series.

Perkie, thanks for picking up on the perp making restitutions, and what wonderful examples you have given. Why throw someone in jail when he can serve mankind better outside of it. I think the Mayans also have a similar philosophy.

Paulita, welcome. Glad you're here. Just yesterday I heard someone say exactly what you said. She had started with a book in the middle of the series and didn't get much from it until she read the first one.

Denjer, I was really shocked when I read that article you posted about the AIDS superstition, how sex with a virginal girl will cure AIDS. And then the article that Joan told us about. All this really points out how dangerous some superstitions can be. We'll be seeing more about witchcraft in the next section of the book, but I'll tell you, until I saw your posts this morning and was prompted to do a little searching too, I didn't realize that this is a pretty big problem in some parts of Africa. For such a slim easy read, this book is turning into a real eye-opener for me.

Mal, thanks for the legend links. Especially the Busmen of the Kalahari. I wonder if these are the Basarwa that are referred to in the book. Our techies will soon be adding these links and the ones submitted earlier this week to the page above.

Have a good weekend everyone. Traude and I will be putting up some new things to consider in our discussion, and we welcome any you wish to include also.

Scrawler, what a fascinating story about your husband's childhood. And how true, that parents can pass on their fears and anger to their children.

FrancyLou, so you wash and fold clothes in time of great stress. At least you get something accomplished. When I'm under stress I want to escape -- into a book, TV, a movie. Then after that I'm ready to deal with whatever is bothering me.

Perkie and Joan -- interesting thoughts about routine in our lives. Do you think that "Pumpkin" (and chocolate, too) are symbols for the important things in our lives -- family, jobs, the reasons we get out of bed in the morning.

I'm not real sharp about the parts of literature -- the symbolism, the themes, etc. though I guess there's no doubt that Precious Ramotswe in the protagonist. But I know from other discussions that many of you are quite perceptive about those things. What do you think? Do you see any symbolism, themes, etc. starting to show here?

Gaborone is about 22 degrees latitude S. In the northern hemisphere 22 degrees is about at the Bahamas or Guadalahara, Mexico. Rainy season in the summer, which can get very hot. Winters are bone-dry, cold at night. Right now (9 pm Botswana time) it is 70 degrees in Francistown and clear.

Say, how about that Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni? Is he every mother's dream husband for the young women of the family?

The most clever case she has been solving (at p. 160 we are in the midst of it) is the case of the "finger" of Solomon Moretsi (pp. 154-160). This is a nice tie-in to how factories had developed in Botswana, as the country gradually changed from a mostly agricultural economy to a more modern mix. Also, how a good factory owner wants to know all his people and almost feels himself to blaim if something goes wrong.

Mippy, yes, Mma R. is surely going about the business of Mr. Moretsi's finger in the right way, but I liked the tale about the stolen car, too. Of course, with that one, she had to have help from friends. Mma R comes across as a very personable person. Everyone seems to like her, and most especially, very happy and willing to TALK to her. She's good at that. I think she did goof up a bit, though, with the case of the philandering husband. That was kind of like a sting operation, with Mma Busang (the wife) not quite bright enough to realize it.

Interesting about the Patel setup, the Indian compound. I wonder if all Indians were considered wealthy by some African groups. The elderly cousin seemed to think so. It reminded me a bit of when we moved to Puerto Rico many years ago. My FIL, who had lived and worked there many years, insisted we increase our car insurance. "You have an accident, the first thing they'll say is RICH AMERICANO." And perhaps they would be right because most of those coming from the US were better off financially. Maybe the same was true of Indians in Botswana, if most of them were store owners and businessmen.

And that brings up what Traude mentioned about the Africans who were not native to Botswana. They were looked upon differently, not always positively. Even Mma R was not always willing to look upon some groups with favor. But I can't put my finger on specifics. I'm just glad Traude brought it up because I had been thinking along similar lines. For sure, they didn't like the Zulus -- Obed spoke of that. And somewhere, there was something about not trusting the Nigerians.

And she was surprised when Mr. Patel paid right away and didn't argue about his bill. Then she felt guilty, thinking maybe she had charged too much. She probably could have charged more and Mr. Patel would have paid it willingly because he's used to paying large bills. And he was so happy to find out his daughter didn't have a boyfriend, only a made-up one. But I don't think Nadira told Mma R. the truth about that. It all sounded very plausible, that she wanted her family to think she had one, that she was a modern girl, but I think Jack was in the picture someplace when Mma R. was on the case. Just well hidden.

GramMuzzy, thanks for alerting us again to the McCall Smith web page. There's a lot of good stuff there. I thouht it interesting that McCall Smith includes some real people in this series. We haven't met him in this book, but he mentions a Dr. Moffat, who is a direct descendant of Robert? Richard? Moffat, who first recorded the Setswana language, and whose daughter married David Livingstone.

I couldn't find the letters from Mma Ramotswe, but there was a place to ask questions. Maybe someone should ask about the calf story.

GramMuzzy, LOL -- shame on you. Did anyone ask Agatha Christie if her husband helped her.<BG>

The Readers' Guide there had some thoughtful comments, reflecting on why the author included Mma R.'s father in the book. Obed's story speaks of the history of Africa and the mines. And there is a very intriguing question: Is this a feminist book? What do you think.

No matter how life has treated her, Precious seems to keep her balance and her sense of humor. Not even snakes deter her from her course!

Scrawler, I doubt the young will ever have as much wisdom as their elders. They may be smarter, but experience plays a big part too. You've reminded me of an incident that took place some 45 years ago. We had just temporarily moved to the DC area and were awaiting the birth of our first child. My mother had come to visit and help, my MIL lived in the area. The big news item of that time was not Washington politics, but the story of a young woman who disappeared just a few weeks before her wedding. My mom and MIL hashed that over until one of them said, "You know, I don't think she wants to get married." The other agreed, and I thought they were both nuts. Well, lo and behold, the woman surfaced after a week or so, all shook up about the wedding and whether she was doing the right thing. Now how did they know that?

And concerning communication between the generations, Scrawler, did you see the blurb on CBS News about the family meal? Some study shows that when a family regularly eats together, the children are less likely to indulge in drugs and alcohol or be depressed.

GramM says "she [Mma R] saw things that had changed, and not for the better" True. She is concerned about the young and how they do not show respect to their elders. But, on the other hand, the beginning of chapter 16 tells us that the country of Botswana is just a little over 30 years old, and Mma R reflects on what all they have achieved in that short span and how Botswana has become the best-run country in Africa. (More on that, with another philosophical question later.)

Well, it was asked, and answered, and we seem to agree that this is not a feminist book, and does not have a feminist agenda. Traude has said it well, " I also believe our book and the sequels it has spawned is not even remotely feminist in perceivable orientation. I think it extols traditional virtues, some of which we enlightened western souls have long since abandoned, and with plausible excuses too, like family meals, to cite one example."

To answer your other question, Traude . . "Are we that more advanced/superior simply because we have a thousand gadgets (some duplicates and some quite unnecesary) and all the imaginable luxuries our hearts desire - as long as we can pay for them? Is that all there is? Really ?" I think you have to separate 'standard of living' from 'people. ' I think those of us particpating in this discussion have a standard of living far superior to many places in the world, but that doesn't make us better people. And that is one of the things that the author is showing in this series, what many of you have been saying along -- these are people being the best they can, no matter what their circumstances.

GramM -- Yes, but sometimes we don't want to make the effort.

Well, guess I can go to bed now. The U.S. and Botswana have passed in the parade of athletes. I was so afraid that Botswana might have slipped by during the numerous adds on NBC, but there they were, with 11 athletes. I feel like I've kind of adopted this country, at least to learn more about it and to cheer them on -- like one might with a favorite school or community child.

Perhaps that points up one of the themes of this book: good old-fashioned detective work is like good, steady living, where problems may (hopefully) be solved by thinking them through, then acting with courage and solving them. It works more often than not for our Precious. It gives the reader hope that it might work for her.

"For a book that seems to saunter, a lot is going on in each story. As I read, I feel like I am sitting at the feet of a master storyteller." -- Perkie, how beautifully said. I think you have given a wonderful description of all the books in this series.

I appreciate your definition of "feminist." Mma R. is not making any claims(!!) for one gender's rights over those of another. She wants things to work out well for everyone.

Witchcraft might be considered a minor theme here. It is not just indulged in by one group but by rural and city people both -- like Charley Gutso and people in Johannesburg. It seems to me to show that although Botswana is a new country, making advances in their economy, etc., some of the population are clinging to old tribal ways.

"Growing pains" (and that can probably be stated better) is another theme -- Mma R. is learning to be a detective, and although she brings to the business a lot of common sense and intuition, she makes a few mistakes and has doubts about her choice of a career. Botswana is also going thru the turmoils of growing up, but as its citizens mature they realize the importance and meaning of being a free nation.

Mippy, the dual doctor is good storytelling, but not too long ago the news was telling about a man who posed and practiced as a doctor in not just one, but two hospitals in two different states. It took the authorities slightly longer than it did Mma R. to discover the ruse.

Although the schedule in the heading puts "Wrap-up, your thoughts about the other books in the series" next week, Traude and I see no reason why we can't include that while we're discussing this last section of the book, if that's okay with the rest of you. I don't know about the rest of you, but I've found it difficult at times to separate the qualities of other books in the series from those of this one. The only thing we would ask is that there be no "spoilers" for those who have read only this book. And you all should be congratulated -- no one has spilled the beans or given away anything in this discussion. Fantastic.

I'm off to Kentucky Lake for a few days and then my son and family will be visiting. So I'll be away for part of this week, but Traude will be here and I'll be looking forward to reading all your posts when I get back.

And not to give away the ending, but by now most readers have completed this volume: I did enjoy Precious' decision (last page), after many refusals, to marry JLB Matekoni. This also gives the reader a lovely bridge to the following volumes.

I feel like I've been gone forever, so true, when you cram a lot into a few days. My grandchildren were happy with their first visit to the Midwest, and wanted to know if I always had so many pictures of them around, or did I just put them out because they were coming. We had fun.

But it's good to be back and your posts are fantastic, and so interesting. There seems to be a big consensus that "Don't give up" and "Follow your hunches" and "Step by step" are messages given to us by McCall Smith. And it feels so good to get such positive messages.

JoanK, I have to agree with you that the dignity of the Botswanan people and their love of their country is a big message. In fact, I think Africa, if not Botswana, is one of the themes of this book.

Traude, Mippy, and Joan, very perceptive, the way you've picked up on the author's mentioning AIDS. As you say, very human, very subtle. I think someone said something about this earlier, but in one of the interviews on his website, McCall Smith said the the Botswanans don't refer to AIDS by name. It's always this disease, the sickness, the suffering.

FlaJean, a new library for your community. What a thrill. It sounds like you have read the entire series. Without giving away specifics, is there anything you would like to share about it with us, or point out things to watch for?

And Jerilyn, you're not far behind, what are your thoughts on the series?

FrancyLou, I think this book would be a wonderful gift for your 11-year-old niece, and other young adults. They would not have trouble understanding it, it doesn't talk down to them, and they would learn about another culture as well. Today's NY Times had an essay about the misery and depression in so many teen problem novels, turning off many young adults. This series would surely be a good antidote.

Mippy, I love what you say about Mma R accepting Mr. JLB Matekoni -- "a lovely bridge to the following volumes." Weren't you surprised? I'll be he was. Her acceptance just sort of bounced up and hit you. I'm glad she accepted.

Traude, maybe we haven't touched much on the traditionally built or "Lane Bryant" aspect is because for some of us it hits a little close to home. But you're right, it is interesting. IMHO, the Twiggy anorexic look is a relatively new phenomonem -- just look at some of the old master paintings -- Ruebens, etc. Maybe the Botswanan men just want to continue with a good thing.

Jerilyn, you are so right when you say how this book makes you feel close to Africa and its peoples. The author just has a remarkable way of having his characters give us a strong feeling of country and heritage.

And Traude has perhaps really hit on the message that McCall Smith leaves with us -- we are all brothers under the sun, and although we have different customs and ways of doing things, we have the same emotions and basic needs and endeavors. It was easy to think much the same while watching the Olympics this week. All these young athletes had much the same goals and had put in all the same long hours and grueling practice sessions. While we may think we have the corner on basketball, that it's really an American sport, the folks in Lithuania were cheering just as hard for their team.

Scrawler, you brought up an interesting point when you said you were glad we picked this book. I'm curious to know if anyone just picked this book by browsing in a bookstore or library or from a review. Or did most of you read it because someone recommended it or it was part of a discussion. I first read it with our local mystery club, and when it was first selected I wasn't real enthused. Now I'm glad, but I don't know if I would have read it otherwise. And the funny thing with our mystery club, the person who chose the book gave us the wrong title as the first in the series. So some had read "Morality for Beautiful Girls" and some "Ladies." "Well," said the leader, "it really doesn't matter which one you read." And do you know, in a way she was right.

Those of you who have read more in the series, do you have a favorite? Do you have any enticements for us? I've only read this and the next -- "Tears of the Giraffe" and some interesting characters have been added. Poor Mr. JLB Matekoni, he's got three women to deal with. And that maid of his, is she going to be trouble?

I found the precise and slightly formal style of speech in the dialogue interesting and refreshing -- did anyone else? I assume (does anyone know) that this follows the pattern of speech in Botswana? Also, there are at least two (perhaps more) languages referenced and spoken in the book. Can anyone shed light on these languages? Are they similar or very different? Are these languages as opposed to dialects?

I had never heard of bush tea before, but now I have some, and it has solved my conundrum of wanting tea in the afternoon, but not tolerating caffeine so late in the day. It's supposed to be a good source of vitamin C.

I agree with you about the preciseness of the dialogue, and while it appeared throughout the book, the one place it really hit me was towards the end -- then Mma. Ramatswe meets the kidnapped boy. "Are you the teacher's son from ... " she asks. "I am that boy," says the boy. And that's what struck me. Most kids that we know would probably say, "Yeah, that's me," or , Un huh," or "Yeah, yes."

I see in your biographical comments that you work in St. Petersburg. I hope you and yours have not had much disruption in your lives because of Charley.

Regarding the other languages, I don't have any answers for you, but you might try looking at some of the links in the heading. One of the maps sites offers quite a bit of info on the languages -- Setswana.

Hurrican Charley was a minor inconvenience for me, in that we were trying to travel to St. Pete to spend a relaxing week, but flights and trains were cancelled. Our little condo there sustained no damage.

I look forward to following more of Mma's adventures!

The nephew of one of my good friends lives in Africa with his family and translates the Bible into tribal languages. He has been doing this for years. I met the family a few years ago when they were on home leave, from either the Congo or Zaire, don't remember which. In some ways their situation reminded me of the Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. They lived out in a rural area where the roads were impassable for months at a time during the rainy season. I wiah now I knew more about which and how many languages he has translated, and how they decide which languages to translate. They hired a young woman from Europe to teach their children, and were so happy at that time because they had just added a schoolroom to their compound.

And I want to thank each and every one of you for participating and sharing your insights and experiences with us all. Who would have thought that "just a story" would have so much for us. I know I enjoyed the book so much more because of your contributions. And those of you who brought us the many links to African culture and geography, many thanks. They were a great bridge to understanding.

Although we will be finishing with this discussion, there are several others coming up in September. Lynn Truss's Eats, Shoots & Leaves -- a hoot of a book about punctuation -- and Hemingway's A Moveable Feast will be starting soon, and the "Age of Faith," the fourth volume of the Story of Civilization begins Sept. 5. The Curious Minds discussion will begin Sept. 16. And some of us will be starting Latin. If you would like to take Latin and missed out on the September class, you can now sign up for one that begins in January.

And for a fitting finale, the Olympics broadcast just annouced that Botswana has advanced to the finals for the men's 4 x 100 relay. I don't know if they'll medal, as they're 8th of 8, but I'm sure we all wish them well.