Summer's coming to an end...

...and a little family of Cardinals has built a nest in the tree outside our porch. We saw a baby stick its head out while the mom passed it some food. The bright red dad brought some food to the mom and then flew off for the rest of the afternoon. We tried to get some pictures but she was too high up and it seemed to agitate her. Click on the pictures for a better view.

Michigan

Here are our pictures from Michigan. Thanks again for having us aunt Donna! It was great to hang out with everyone.

http://picasaweb.google.com/danglenn2/Michigan2009?feat=directlink

Happy Happy Beatrice Day

http://picasaweb.google.com/ksantarita/Bea72309#


I was so excited to be invited to assist with babysitting Bea for two days. Dad picked me up on Thursday, I stayed over in Baltimore at Mike's house and drove back with mom on Friday. Dad drove back to VA on Thursday afternoon, quite exhausted from all the toddler activity. She certainly has a lot of energy but I was happy to entertain. She has an impressive attention span for a two year old and I was proud that Bea kept asking for "Auntie Kaffy." I woke up on Friday morning to the sound of her sweet voice saying, "Auntie Kaffy sleeping." She is a complete angel and I had a ball.

CAPTIVE AUDIENCE


I AM NOW SUFFERING FROM BEATRICE WITHDRAWAL



BYE BYE GRANDPA JOW

I also borrowed a few books from Mike: Humbolt's Gift; The End of the Affair; Wiseblood; and an autographed copy of The Little Friend. Eeeee! Donna Tartt= Massively cool literary babe. Mike and I agreed that she's cool because she's not like so many authors who, after becoming successful, start whoring themselves out for the public. She hasn't sacrificed her identity for fame and and mostly keeps herself. She also doesn't do a lot of readings or signings. Mike picked up the copy from a bookstore in Texas which had acquired some from a reading she gave in Mississippi, her home state. I realized I should probably pick up a soft cover edition I can trash a little rather than using the signed copy.

Frodo and Beatrice

One Friday during my class in July we left Frodo at my parents' house and took neurotic Sam with me back to Gaithersburg for the weekend. The reason for this was that cutie pie Beatrice was going to visit and had started taking a keen interest in animals. Frodo stayed home so she could meet a "gog." They were both a little reticent but Frodo was very sweet and Grandpa taught Beatrice how to take charge and say, "shoo gog," when he got too close.

Very excited to see a Frodo

Getting to know the goggy

Looking stylish and taking charge

My Little Granny Tereza

......with aunt Paula's dog, Rita Santa Rita. I met Rita when we visited Paula in Afife (in the North of Portugal). She is a very sweet girl. My aunt also has a cat and used to have a goat. She lives in a lovely house nestled in the hills of a rural area near a remote beach. It's quite pretty.

Life in Free South Africa

BBC News...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8164956.stm

"South Africa announced in June that it was facing its worst recession in 17 years.

Fifteen years after the African National Congress won its first election, more than one million South Africans still live in shacks, many without access to electricity or running water.

The provision of housing has long been controversial - nearly three million have been built, but the allocation has been prone to nepotism and corruption, correspondents say."

Support Arts Education

A Tribute to Music Director Luis Haza

Sitting under the watchful eye of Maestro Haza as he peered down at the first violin section, I remember feeling an incling of terror. I hadn't practiced my part and didn't know the bowings. He knew right away,

He and his fellow NSO violinist, Mr. Haas, who was my teacher (yes, their names are quite similar) always challenged me and never accepted unprofessional playing. They didn't just teach me how to play the violin, they taught me how to be a violinist and a musician. The hours of frustration, trying hear and hit the hardest of notes, has left nothing but positive memories. They sewed in me a passion for music that will remain forever.