from in europe

"You people with your money. We're expected to accept whatever you people in the West say about us, but don't you ever wonder what we might have to offer? The assertiveness of the Poles, the circumspection of the Czechs, the perseverance of the Hungarian dissidents, the dilemmas the East Germans have been faced with? Isn't that exactly what the West needs? Things like that? Courage, principles, experience?" -Jaroslaw Krawczyk

"While the American Dream emphasizes unrestrained economic growth, personal wealth, and the pursuit of individual self-interest, the European Dream focuses more on sustainable development, quality of life, and the nurturing of community." - Geert Mak

studying europe

"From Kosovo and Ruthenia to the Basque Country, everywhere Europeans have been driven mad by the longing for a fatherland that no one ever knew, that in many ways never even existed."

- Geert Mak

"Peace, solidarity, and cooperation are only conceivable among people and nations who know who they are."

-Vaclav Havel

what i've been throwing out lately...

how to find a man

While having dinner with the Sharrett boys William and Davis were shocked to discover that I do not have a boyfriend. The following conversation ensued:

William: You should get married in August.
Me: That's pretty quick considering I don't have a boyfriend right now.
William: You find a boyfriend, say marry me, punch him in the stomach, there you go.
Davis: Kiss him on the belly button.
Me: unable to speak because I'm laughing.
William: You should do the hot coffee test.
Davis: Yeah.
Me: What is the hot coffee test?
William and Davis jumbled on top of each other: You pour hot coffee on his foot. To test for anger management. If he gets angry don't marry him. If he's calm, marry him.

i don't know if i knew this before

But in 2005 Ireland was ranked highest on the Quality of Life scale. I always experience my highest quality of life when I'm there, that's for sure!

67

when faces called flowers float out of the ground

and breathing is wishing and wishing is having-

but keeping is downward and doubting and never

-it's april(yes,april;my darling) it's spring!

yes the pretty birds frolic as spry as can fly

yes the little fish gambol as glad as can be

(yes the mountains are dancing together)

when every leaf opens without any sound

and wishing is having and having is giving-

but keeping is doting and nothing and nonsense

-alive;we're alive, dear:it's(kiss me now)spring!

now the pretty birds hover so she and so he

now the littler fish quiver so you and so i

(now the mountains are dancing, the mountains)

when more than was lost has been found has been found

and having is giving and giving is living-

but keeping is darkness and winter and cringing

-it's spring(all our night becomes day)o,it's spring!

all the pretty birds dive to the heart of the sky

all the little fish climb through the mind of the sea

(all the mountains are dancing;are dancing)

-e.e. cummings

april

April was a huge month for our family! It was bookended by new beginnings. First, on April 3rd, my sister Emily married the love-of-her-life, Calvin. It was a beautiful spring day full of joy.

And love.

And dancing.

Then on April 26th, three days before his due-date, William Reid Strite entered the world.

He is beautiful and wonderful and sleepy.

I love him.

Other than that I've been working like crazy. Slowly getting a bit of a tan from all the playing-outside I get to do as part of my "job." I've been knitting and throwing like crazy too. Pictures to come in a separate post. And I've been greatly enjoying the Euro prayer initiative, pictures on a related project I've been working on to come as well.

May is going to be another big month with bookend trips out of state. The first pretty close to home to see Lacy graduate from college in Tennessee and the second to celebrate my Grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary and visit friends in the mid-west.

(Still waiting to hear about college and thus have made no further plans for the fall.)