London

Barbara is saying that she and Dean might have to go back to London for the spring semester of 2009. And I am trying to convince myself that I don't need to go too. The thought of another couple of weeks there is just floating around in my head and coming up to the surface every few minutes. What a city! The push of the crowds in Piccadilly Circus, the escalators in the Tube stops, the West End theatres, the queues at the box offices, the fish and chips at Rock and Sole Plaice, the tree-lined squares and parks, the massive, curving white buildings on Regent Street, the ice cream shops in Leicester Square, the hushed and dignified shopping at Fortnum and Mason, the opulence of Harrod's, and the delights of taking tea!

If B&D go back, I will probably start saving my money to make another trip. But I think I should take someone with me who has never been there, just because I think I owe it to all those in my circle. That leaves out everyone in my immediate family. And Lynne says she can't go this year; her family is going to Costa Rica in February. So I've set my sights on my friend Sharon Schuh Holden, my traveling buddy and college sorority sister from Louisville. The assault will begin as soon as I get word from Barbara about their plans. Oh, to cross the pond once more!

You Say Cicadas, I Say Locusts

Whatever you call them, they are a nuisance! My friend Joan wrote a blog entry about her encounters with them at Kelley Ridge (hilarious! Read it here: http://www.xorph.com/mom/) and I was listening to the din in our front yard through closed windows while I read! The nonstop, deafening buzzing gives our old Abby-girl the creeps when I take her out; she cowers and looks quite nervous. Does her "number" and wants to come back in fast.

Mike nearly filled our little garbage dumpster with shed exoskeletons and carcasses from under trees in our yard. It was so heavy that I couldn't move it to the street for pickup. And there is a distinctive bitter smell of decay in the backyard from the dead bugs in the grass.

How long will these guys hang around?

Harvard Commencement

Four hundred years of tradition, church bells pealing, ushers in morning coats, crimson banners rippling in the breeze, the Mayor of Middlesex County calling the festivities to order, and Karen and I in our seats by 7:15 a.m. for Morning Exercises that started at 9:30! Dave invited me to be there as his guest to see him in his scarlet gown and funny little black velvet hat, as he was awarded his diploma. He is now "Dr. Dave", thank you very much, and a biostatistician like no other. Thus ends four years of hard work and little sleep, although he still seems to be working hard on a paper for publication, so I guess it never really ends. Movers arrive the last week in June. I'm counting the days.

Hannah is here...

and I am overcome with awe and wonder at the goodness and generosity of God! What a tiny, beautiful little thing she is! Her parents are enjoying every minute of the journey the three of them have begun, even the icky parts. Kevin said, " I love changing her diapers! I'm not neutral about it, I love doing it!" When I asked him why he loves it, he said, "Because she's my daughter!" I love holding her, gazing into those dark blue eyes, steady as they can be, telling her how much her Ronie loves her. Her Papi is smitten; he's walking around like a teenager with a first crush, repeating her name every few minutes. Can't wait till we get to visit her again!