Here you will find humorous stories from a mom who has spent more than half of her life in Africa.
We are going to share exactly what it is like to live in this incredible place. If you have ever seen the movie, ‘Out of Africa’, than we have a treat for you.
Here you are going to see lions, Elephants, tigers (we know tigers are not from Africa)and all sorts of other animals, and much much more.
Tana has been a single Mom for the last 8 years, raising her three daughters alone in Kenya, the stories she will share are humorous and touching. Tana had a very unique upbringing, raised on an exotic animal compound in So. California raising exotic animals for the motion picture business.
She has been traveling back and forth from So. Calif and Kenya since she was 6 years old, and has lived in Kenya around 14 of those years since she was 23 years old.
Tana and her children have had some amazing and heart felt adventures along the way, all of which have brought enlightenment to just how funny some of the scariest moments in ones life can be, it is an attitude choice to see the light side of things even when being chased by Elephant in the bush, charged by Rhino, or having a contract put out on her.
You’re looking sweet on your lion. What a life!
š Julie
Thank you so much Jules! It has been a none stop, packed of adventure life. I never know what is coming next, but that is the great thing about LIFE, the good, the bad and the ugly. My Dad used to tell me, ‘Nervous’ energy is just that ‘ENERGY,’ so why not make it ‘Excited ‘Energy? it is all in your mind and you can choose how to view it. xxx
My teacher, prof Angelos,told me about your blog.I think it’s fantastic…compliments!!!
Thank you so much! I think your teacher is a star! Hope you come back and read more. Take care, T
Wonderful! Truly enjoy reading the stories. Keep reporting on those fantastic adventures.
Sister, Cuz.. Thank you so much for visiting and reading my BLOG!!! It is so much fun and everyone has been so wonderful to me. Love you xxx
Tana,
Wonderful blogging my friend. Always love reading about your adventures. Oh i do miss Africa. Can’t wait to see you again….chele
Ciao Tana, sono Melissa e sono di California (abito vicino San Francisco). Che piacere trovare il tuo blog! Non vedo l’ora di leggerlo e scoprire piu’ di te e la tua vita in Africa. A presto!
Do let me know when you are heading to Uganda, lots to talk about!
Hey tana do you remember me? i am a friend of rian’s a couple years back and all we did was watch buffy. lol
Of Course I remember you!!! Great to hear from you and I love the Buffy marathons, and so did you!!! LOL xxx
Hey Tana, my mummy can wrestle lions, tigers and me- oh my! What can your mummy do??? LoL (Nana, dont think I am testing you- I already have a genuine fear…)
haha love u and love the stories, too many memories. keep it up.
LOL, I still have it in me kiddo, but your 5’10” frame is like wrestling a croc with a giraffe neck… LOL. If you think of any story’s you would like me to write about let me know! I love you Ri and am so proud of all the things you are accomplishing. xxx
I want to come back as Tana in my next life! What a gift your parents enriched you with, Tana; a love of life, nature, and yourself. We, as a human race, could all learn something from their example. God Bless. Janine class of ’83 Canyon High School.
I was blessed from past and present enrichment from my parents. Thank you for the kind words and hope you come back to read more š
God Bless you too Janine,
T
My incredible sister…. Where do I begin?? Do I start back as far as I can remember, being burned (3rd degree) on 20% of my body and after getting out of the hospital having you massage my skin grafts for hours on end to break down the scar tissue so they wouldn’t be so bad? Or the countless hours you spent with me while my mom went through her “issues” with my father? I have idolized you through your courage All my life. I remember one fourth of July when I was very young Tana had a show to do on the beach with a horse in which she was supposed to gallop in front of the crowd and rear her beast for all eyes to awe in the spectacle… Well those of us who spent time with any kind of wild or domesticated animal know that things don’t always work out as planned. Everything started out perfect, she being the vision of beauty galloping down the beach fireworks blasting behind her over the ocean. As she brings the horse to a stop and rears her, (as planned) the horses back legs give way and the horse pretty much flops on her belly but knowing Tana as I do that horse wasn’t going to get the better of her. With a little coaxing (and a ton log cursing) she got the horse back up and up on it’s hind legs finishing her stunt and the show to the crowds pleasure. I don’t even think they knew anything went wrong. I dint even know what brought this memory back or why I’m typing it out now except this is how I think of my sister…. Never giving up no matter what horses ass gives her problems. Lol. She has always been someone I have looked up to and someone who has always been full of love for me. I don’t know who will read this but know that this is an amzing woman and we should always consider ourselves lucky for having her be a part of her life.
I love you sis.
Michael
My Dearest Brother,
Such memories and kind words. About the horse story, it was at night and the man on the spot light shown it right in our eyes and blinded us, just as we were coming to a mound in the sand. Little Wolf (my horse, whom I dearly loved) and I went down, I remember I was carrying the American Flag, it was massive. When we hit the deck I remember two things, One: Is Little Wolf alright and Two: I cant believe I didn’t drop the flag. I passed the flag to the nearest person and watched as Little Wolf stood up and checked him out from head to toe, when I saw he was fine, I got back on and we finished the ride.
Michael, I have loved you since the day I heard you were going to be born! The brother (even though it was my aunt and uncle you were being born to) I always wanted. We will forever be “Brother and Sister.” You are an amazing man and we have both had our ups and downs in life, but one thing never changed, our unshakable sibling love and appreciation for each other.
Love you with all my heart Bro and I cant wait to see you out here one day soon!
Sis
Please excuse the typos I have huge hands and my iPhone is tiny!
Love you SIS
I am so inspired by your life! š
Hi Jacklyn, Thank you for you kind words. Tana
I loved your dad’s book and always dreamed of going to Africa. One day it will happenbut for now will just live off the books and all the animal stories i can get my hands on
Tana,
I met your mother’s sister in a craft class in the 70’s. She shared many stories of Toni and her animals while we worked on our crafts. One day she brought in a watercolor your mom did…”Zamba”. I bought it from her and displayed it in my home for years. I was cleaning out my “closet treasures” and found it hidden away. I remembered seeing Toni on an American Express commercial in the 80’s as a famous wild and exotic animal photographer. I was pleased to know she was so accomplished. In searching for info on her art, I am surprised I cannot find anything other than her book info. I was considering selling it, but decided to keep it for my 14 yr. old granddaughter. I would like to get more info on it to go with it. I already have the book she wrote.
Just wanted you to know that your mother has touched on many lives.
Best wishes,
Vicki Craft
Good afternoon, I have just finished reading Zamba. What a delightful and heart rending story. I cried when he died. I have always loved animals, had many dogs but mostly cats. I have run a rescue organization in Annapolis, MD for 13 years and have learned so much about loving and how animals do love us back if we allow it. Animals truly make our lives better. How wonderful it must have been to love and be loved by a lion, the most magnificant cat of all. You have been very lucky. I will read more of your father’s books, the are very uplifting. Continue to have a happy life. Jeanne-Marie Lesko
Hi Jeanne-Marie, Thank you for your kind words. Yes, it was and still is a happy life. Well done on the work you are doing! All the best, Tana
Hi Tana I got to let you know I’ve read your parents books Zamba, Modoc and Gentle Jungle and I’ve updated the imdb.com web site about you and your father. Please check it out when you can. Sincerely Ian McKendell
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0375046/?ref_=rvi_nm
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0375048/?ref_=rvi_nm
Hi Ian, I am working out in the bush right now and the internet is very slow. I will have a look when I get out. If there are things I would like to add may I tell you? I am not sure how that all works. All the best and thank you again. T
Hello Tana – I’d love to be able to talk to you about Zamba – I work for Blink Films in London and have a project I’m hoping you might like to hear more about. It would be lovely to hear from you as soon as you are able. With very best wishes! Laura
Great
Hi Tana,
I need a little information. Do you know when Zamba was born and the exact date of his death?
Sincerely,
Ian
Hi Ian, I am not sure. I know it was before or during 1969. Sorry I can’t be of more help.
Take care,
T
Dear Tana,
I’m a friend of Patricia Jepsen (Chuse), who was a friend of your mother’s, and whom I believe you knew as well? She was the happy companion to Delphi, the golden retriever.
Since Pat’s transition in 2009, I have been overseeing her online school for young people, The Sanctuary School. The school’s focus is on partnership with the earth and the interconnection of all life. In one of its courses, we linked to the story about Tiva’s Sacred Grove (on the kids4earth website), as an example of how kids of all ages can make a difference for the earth. But that website no longer exists now…I did a search and found another version of the story in your blog…would it be possible for me to copy it, perhaps shorten it a bit (since the course is for 9-12 year olds) and include the slightly shortened version in our course (instead of creating an outside link to your blog)? I would be happy to email you the edited version for your approval first. It is such an inspiring story, we would like to continue to share it with the kids.
As an aside, while looking for how to contact you, I found your blog (and also Tiva’s) and have been enjoying reading your wonderful stories. What an amazing life you both have had. Thank you for sharing it with us around the world!
Warmly,
Susan Hunt
susan@thesanctuaryschool.org
Hi Susan,
I will email you. Sounds amazing!