Good Friday

It is Good Friday, one of the most beautiful days of the year. In honor of this day I like to reread The Student by Chekhov. You can listen to it here. I reflect on this story often when I take the sacrament.

Happenings

Here's some recent happenings. Spring brought us a nice surprise, popcorn trees! The Royal Restaurant got a new fancy sign - bright blue instead of white with rust streaks. Reuben turned five months old and cut his first tooth. He's been chewing maniacally on anything he can get his mouth on.  Battle's tale, human limbs, books - all have fallen victim to his gaping maw. 

Fowl Thoughts

It is ironic to me that doves (which includes the mourning dove) have a reputation for being symbols of peace. There is no other creature in the animal kingdom which has provoked more violent and vitriolic emotions in my soul. Sure, they're pretty, mate for life, are responsible parents, make a lovely high pitched whistling whir when they fly - BUT they have a maddening habit of nesting directly outside my window.

The current pair like to wake up around 4 AM. If their mournful cooing doesn't get me up, Battle slamming his body into the window then falling dazed on to my head does. And they don't stop. They start their cooing at 4 and continue through out the day. It's a beautiful sound but not beautiful enough to hear constantly. I am trying to think of ways to encourage them to relocate.

Kathe Kollwitz

I enjoyed General Conference this weekend. President Monson's talk reminded me of the work of my favorite artist Kathe Kollwitz (July 8, 1867 – April 22, 1945) I think she has some of the most moving parent child images. You can see more of her work here. Here is a photo of her.

When you ride alone....

What They're Saying About Us

Ever wonder what the Middle East's biggest issues are? Now you can know. Mosaic gathers news stories from the Middle East to create a daily segment. It's a fascinating perspective and you'll hear stories that would never ever make it to the US. Propaganda infused state media is Bad, sometimes comically bad, but not too much worse than some reporting I've seen closer to home.
Speaking of which, here is one of my favorite articles, TV's Aryan Sisterhood. It shows the blonding of the American news anchors.Thank you Slate!

Books

If you know me, you know I like books. If you know Aaron you know he does too. Recently Kari (who maintains a few blogs herself) recommended a jem of a book: Ex Libris by Anne Fadiman. I recommend it to any and all of you of our bibliophiliac persuasion.
Aaron and I have enjoyed it so much we've been fighting over who gets to read the next essay. In an attempt at compromise it was read aloud at the dinner table. Poor Reuben -see below.