John's Next Step

At Close of Service (COS) the Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) transitions into a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV).  My COS was July 15th, the day before my birthday. The close of service for most Peace Corps volunteers in Ghana would involve a village celebration with singing and dancing and (for my village) pito.  Because I was medically evacuated I COSed in St. Louis.  And because it was also my birthday my daughter and son-in-law helped me celebrate by taking me to Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar.  We had a great meal and great wine.  Thanks Sam and Brandon! Food pictures are typical for PCVs and RPCVs.  In this case the steak pictured was overcooked (but still good) It was kindly replaced and the one cooked to order (medium rare) was amazing! Zoo visit Also as part of my birthday, Samantha and I went to the St. Louis zoo.  We had a great time and she has a great sense of humor with birthday cards. No gorillas wer...

Wow what a week with New Orleans, St. Paul, and Dallas.  And the list goes on.  Anger, fear, greed, and other such feelings lead to misery and the sort of violence we have in this country.  I’m not saying the sort of violence that we had in this country in this past week.   I’m saying the violence that we have in this country.  Period exclamation point!  The violence in the past week, past month, past year and will likely continue next week, next month, and next year – UNLESS WE DO SOMETHING . People fear that the cycle of violence is increasing.  People tweeting “this is now war” feed into the cycle of fear and hate that threatens to overtake our country only make matters worse. Each person, in their own way, needs to do something not only to stop our negative environment of anger, fear, etc. but to create a positive environment. I’ve been waiting for a chance to explain my closing – “ Love always ” in these posts.  Unfortunately I have...

I will soon be medically cleared.  My cough is better and I’m working to strengthen my shoulders and hips.  Once I’m medically cleared I’m free to travel which is my next step. My mom and my siblings live in Arkansas, so that will be my first visit.  The plan is to be there for my dad’s birthday near the end of July.  Shortly after that my wife’s family is holding family reunions for two sides of the family tree.  One will be in Michigan and the other is in Canada. My aunt and uncle in Virginia are having a 50 th wedding anniversary party a little bit later so I plan to take my mom there.  I also want to visit a great aunt in Kentucky on the way back from Virginia I’m also looking forward to visiting my son in Denver. At lot of traveling in the next several weeks. Looking at the map I will be putting at least 6,000 additional miles on the car in the next couple of months.   I drive a Prius but even if I got 50 mpg that would still be 300...

The St. Louis Pride festival is this weekend and the Peace Corps has an information booth so I volunteered to help out yesterday.  I was there from 11 am to 1 pm, on Saturday before it got really crowded. Still I was able to talk with a number of people interested in the Peace Corps.  Some of the young people were looking for ways to improve career opportunities.  Some of the people with more grey than pink in their hair were interested in a change from their current career.  I was happy to speak with a number of high school students very interested in Peace Corps.  They know they need to get a 4 year degree so they have time to think about it. Nice sunny day out for the festival when I was there. Had to get a picture with the arch in the background. Still need to work on my selfie Replacements take off the booth at 1 pm, just as it is getting hot. (at least by STL standards - I thought it was still rather cool) There are m...

Today is father’s day and I’m very happy to be able to spend it back home.   I wish   all the fathers a good day. Thinking about stuff I’ve been back in my four bedroom house for over two weeks now.  Being back with family and friends is nice while the circumstance of my departure from friends in Ghana is regrettable.  Life with hot showers and a washing machine is very nice while seeing all the stuff in the house compared to my place in Ghana reveals a need to simplify.  I’m still adjusting. One of the reasons I joined the Peace Corps was to learn to live more simply.  I came back from Ghana with two bags.  I now turn my attention (when not focused on doctor visits, reconnecting with family and friends, etc.) to the stuff acquired in a lifetime.  My house, particularly the basement, is full of things for me and the kids.  Things we thought we needed at the time, things that have sentimental value, things that have economic value, th...

Last weekend I was able to meet up with my recruiter at a farmer’s market.  While helping at the recruiting booth I met a couple returned Peace Corps volunteers (RPCVs).  I’m looking forward to comparing notes in the future. My parish had their annual summer ride festival the first Sunday I was back.  The rides impact parking and so the Sunday schedule was thrown off.  Today is “fellowship Sunday” – AKA coffee and donuts – so I will be going to my “normal mass” at 10:15.  I hope to see a number of friends there.   Last Sunday mass in Ghana First Sunday mass in Missouri Summer festival at my church I went to an early mass so parking would not be a problem last weekend. Doctor visits I’ve been busy making doctor appointments for this and that.  I’m scheduled for a session with respiratory therapy to learn how to clear my lungs on Monday.  I’m also going for another primary care visit to talk about other issues from Gh...

On May 24 th I was notified that Peace Corps medical office decided that I should be medically evacuated as my cough was still lingering.  They figured that getting medical treatment at my home town would be the best way to address the situation.  I would have preferred to learn to clear my lungs and so be able to stay in Ghana until my desired close of service date of August 18 th .  However, I realize that no one really had all the facts and we were all just trying to make the best decision. I have 45 days to be medically cleared.  During this time Peace Corps will take care of the bills and I will officially remain a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV).  In a normal case I would be back on a plane to Ghana within 48 hours of my medical clearance.  However, as I have less than 90 days of service returning to site only to leave again would be very difficult on everyone.  So upon medical clearance I will complete service and become a Returned Peace Corps V...