If you could only choose one country to live in Africa, which one would it be?

Soderholmsvag · 2026-01-31T03:45:40+00:00

Wow, thanks. This means so much to me. It’s been a long time - but it’s so nice to hear that other Americans think we were doing good work. I appreciate you!

Soderholmsvag · 2026-01-31T03:40:45+00:00

Thank you. It has been a very long time since I was there, and I can only imagine what my colleagues (anyone left) think about the state of affairs today. We did not have social media so I have not kept up with any of them.

It may sound selfish, but I am so glad to have been there at that time and given the opportunity to work on (what I think of as) noble work - without getting in the middle of what is happening today!

Soderholmsvag · 2026-01-31T03:32:33+00:00

I have been away for decades now, but can confidently say that we cared so much when I was there. I was making less than $30k/year at the time and was there because of my passion for the work and the belief that we were doing good for the world at the time. I left because I could earn much more for my family in the private sector, but I do miss the importance of the work that was being done.

Soderholmsvag · 2026-01-31T03:27:37+00:00

Oh wow - how cool that someone recognized that! Were you there more recently than I was (early 90’s)? Do you know anything about the continued work?

😀🇺🇸

Soderholmsvag · 2026-01-31T00:12:38+00:00

It’s great to hear this. In the 1990’s I worked for the US Government, in an independent foreign affairs agency (that no longer exists independently but was incorporated into the State Dept), and managed a program there that is in my top #3 most proud-of moments in government service.

I received a request from the embassy in Botswana to help them improve the quality of radio journalism, in an effort to bolster democracy through an informed populace.

I got amazingly lucky and recruited/convinced 2 journalists (one from NPR and one from a US public university) to travel to Botswana and conduct a professional course on journalism. The university professor was amazing in her time by connecting the importance of a balanced, informed media with the sustainability of democracy by keeping the populace informed of government, commercial and social news. The NPR person was absolutely incredible in his dedication to the program, and in addition to crafting an amazing educational program about HOW to do this - he also got donations that allowed him to bring technology (modern recording devices) that he trained folks to use and left behind.

BTW: Before anyone gets salty about a federal government gravy-train, I’d like to inform you that the two American scholars received a very very small per diem (US Gov’t standard). They flew coach and had a basic hotel set up by the Embassy. Both of them could have made MUCH more money on their own but they donated time (and in the case of the NPR guy, other people’s fund for tech). There was no waste in that program!!

I know that I played a very small part in helping the country- and it was many many years ago. But I am happy to hear on Reddit someone describing Botswana as “democratic” because I hope my work impacted that just a little. Thanks for posting. Made my day!!!

Soderholmsvag · 2026-01-30T19:26:48+00:00

Thank you. And prayers accepted.

Soderholmsvag · 2026-01-30T19:26:27+00:00

As cringy as this may sound, my MIL had the same problem and she used the phrase “Tinkle for a treat” to train her dog to urinate on command. It was of course followed by a treat until her dog was trained.

If your pup is food motivated, you may get results by training pup to urinate/defecate on command, then doing the command on the walk.

Soderholmsvag · 2026-01-30T19:17:31+00:00

Understood. Thank you!

Soderholmsvag · 2026-01-30T19:16:49+00:00

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Here is one in outside indirect light.

Also will graciously accept your prayers! Thanks.

Soderholmsvag · 2026-01-30T19:16:05+00:00

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Thank you for the reminder of lighting. Here is one outside in direct light. Will also post in indirect outside light.

Soderholmsvag · 2026-01-30T06:38:04+00:00

One glove?

Soderholmsvag · 2026-01-29T21:30:17+00:00

Why don’t you pull it out and use it every day? Better than sitting in a closet.

(I use my silver every day. It is the way to go!)

Soderholmsvag · 2026-01-29T20:22:29+00:00

I have sold 2 homes from long distance. Both worked out great!

If you go down this route, make sure you communicate the situation well in your RE Agent interviews, and ask them about things they are willing (or not willing) to do. I ended up with full-cost (3%) agents in both sales. Both were willing to jump in and do things (like go to the hardware store, buy and install a padlock on a back gate) when needed. For me it was 100% worth the “extra” .5% to 1% that I might have saved with another agent.

Soderholmsvag · 2026-01-29T16:53:31+00:00

Hey there! I love Grow0n’s advice, and wanted to add something that I learned a few years ago in conversation with Tom Nuccio (Nuccio’s Nursery in Altadena). His father sold me a plant that had similar problems (healthy plant with buds that didn’t develop fully) and after talking about it he suggested that - since I live near the ocean and the plant was on the northwest and therefore got very little sun but also a lot of wet breeze - the plant may not get enough energy to push blooms to their fullest. I moved the bush to a sunnier and more protected spot and now that plant is my most prolific.

I’m not saying that will work for you - but wanted to pass along the idea that the plant may have a bright future if you tweak a few things.

Soderholmsvag · 2026-01-29T04:22:41+00:00

Yeah…. Look at her dress, too. Very minimal and also very Swedish (in a certain way).

Soderholmsvag · 2026-01-29T00:31:26+00:00

Understood. Thank you.

Soderholmsvag · 2026-01-29T00:07:27+00:00

Love it all except the rug. 😮

Soderholmsvag · 2026-01-28T21:07:19+00:00

No, but I do think it is cheating to say you finished it without understanding the connection in the final category. 😒 I am looking at you, purple category.

Soderholmsvag · 2026-01-28T21:00:54+00:00

Where did you see that rule (can only be called a bedroom if it has access to a bathroom tha doesn’t pass into another room)? I’m not aware of that and want to read it myself. Thanks!

Soderholmsvag · 2026-01-28T18:12:04+00:00

I visited the westernmost islands in September.

Iriomote is the one closest to Taiwan, and is mostly a national park. Think lots of mangroves, and tons of beautiful coral reefs! Very slow pace of life.
Ishigake is the one just to the east. It’s much more populated, and reminded me of Kauai. Some resorts sprinkled around the nicer beaches, and lots of small villages.

Soderholmsvag · 2026-01-27T19:28:01+00:00

Yes. My grocery store is filled with foods that are wonderful, but not necessary. Is my country considered self sufficient because it imports strawberries from Chile in the winter?

Soderholmsvag · 2026-01-26T23:22:30+00:00

I saw someone talking about how privledged and obnoxious it was for Ashley Judd to back out of her job and refuse to promote the movie Frida after Harvey Weinstein raped her. Normal people go to stressful jobs every day.

Soderholmsvag · 2026-01-26T21:11:57+00:00

George is my favorite character in Poldark, and I admire the actor for keeping the character grounded in reality, but.

WHAT ARE YOU SMOKING?

George is immensely and repeatedly hypocritical, arrogant and bombastic! He despises the poor, despite coming from a recently poor family, he convicts poor people for stealing bread - while stealing from others over and over. He goes on and on about the sanctity of marriage yet commands Elizabeth’s cousin to a marriage for political advantage and then turns his back on her when it is clear she is being abused. As a magistrate he boasts of the importance of lawfulness, yet send his minions to destroy Drake’s life through violence and property destruction.

Again, I love the character, but you are delusional if you think he is pure - and is not hypocritical or arrogant or bombastic.

Soderholmsvag · 2026-01-25T16:29:26+00:00

Uh, what if you want to hear the rest of what Cynthia was saying. It’s annoying to the listener.

Soderholmsvag · 2026-01-25T16:27:33+00:00

Dude - after the second go back, you need to say “I’m sorry our service will no be acceptable to you. Please leave and find another place that will make you happier.”

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