Time passes slowly, but joyfully.

Hello! Long time no write.

I've been busy as a bee, visiting friends and family in Austin, working, and babysitting (which involved lots of fooz-ball playing--such difficult work). I'm also currently fighting the good fight against pollen. Right now, pollen is totally winning. I am simply fighting to stay functional at this point.

Here are some thoughts:

Books.
Books about Africa.....

I recently finished both Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight and Notes From the Hyena's Belly, both of which are rather hair-raising in their own way, and both of which I recommend.

Other books...

Have you ever read Gilead by Marilynne Robinson? I read it a year or so ago, and was deeply moved. It's one of the most beautiful books I've read in a long time. (Apparently, Obama likes it, too. I saw it on his Facebook page.) Somehow, though, I've never moved on to other books by Robinson. I think all the adoption/Africa reading got in the way. So, anyway, the other day I was glad to read this review of Housekeeping by our friend, Melissa Schubert. I feel motivated to read the book now. (Melissa was in my church small group way back when. I remember being a bit stunned by her intelligence. Melissa is an academic now, which is exactly what she should be.)

And, um, pay special attention to the name of the lead character.

Art....

I've got a few plans to make some more little prints. Animals. Trees. Little Ethiopian girls.

I've also ordered the loveliest wool felt and vintage beads and buttons, and am making some of those felt hair clippies you see all over etsy. Really fun to make!

Here are a few, finished and unfinished. Cute, no?

Adoption....

We continue to count down the days til the courts re-open. We have a little file of pictures of the little one, which is opened at least once a day and studied carefully.