The Feds

Not the  Britney Spears kind, but the government kind. I think they're after us. On the way to Tucson yesterday, we counted 14 police cars on a 45 minute round trip journey.  After the 9th siting, Bug said, "You need to drive better Papa." G swung her legs around and ate cheerios. 

Green Valley

M's parents live near Green Valley just outside of Tuscon, AZ. It's monsoon season and air "heavy with rain" does not do it justice.  It is unlike rain in any other part of this country and I'm enraptured. 

Green Valley is also a retirement community. His parents watched the kiddies while we went to a sci-fi matinee.  Because it's a retirement community, a person at the theater walks in before the previews and announces loudly. "YOU ARE HERE TO WATCH SUCHNSUCH MOVIE. TURN OFF YOUR PHONES AND BEEPERS AND PLEASE TURN DOWN THE VOLUME ON YOUR MEDICAL DEVICE ALARM SYSTEMS. IF YOU THINK YOU'RE IN THE WRONG THEATER I WILL HELP YOU."  Sadly, this announcement was more entertaining than the movie. 

Bug

Here is a list of the creatures great and small that we've seen in the past 24 hours in the wilds of Nana and Bopa's backyard.  The list is in order of appearance.

coyote

toad

beetle

finches and more finches

partridges

cricket

horned caterpillar

termites/termite mound

vulture up close, but not personal.

En Route

We are en route to Scotland with our first stop being in Arizona.  I went the other day to get the kids' medical records from the pediatrician's office. I sat down and made small talk with the woman at the desk.  And, case in point, my small talk never stays  very small for long. The woman asked where we were going. I then asked where she was from as she did not have one of the standard American accents. She said Viet Nam. She was about my age. She asked if we were moving for work and I said yes. I asked why she moved from Viet Nam. UHM, I AM THAT DENSE WITH NO SLEEP. She said, "Well, it was just too hard." I asked if she was ever homesick. She began to well up with tears...twenty some years after her move. Then, I began to well up with tears. She wrote the most beautiful and simple note of well-wishes and sent it to me with our medical records. I am so thankful that we're moving for work. I'm thankful that we're moving as Americans.  I'm thankful that we're moving to Scotland. I'm thankful that what's hard for me is really not so bad. Vote. 

Burlesque

Last night I went to a burlesque show at The Can Can. It was just simply the most fascinating celebration of the body in all of its faults and goodness. No. No nakedness or anything that everyone is all afraid of with burlesque. It was simply a dance troupe in clothing with tassles or tight pants. They were amazing gymnasts and tap dancers and belly dancers just trying to make a living off of the thing they do best. Hats off (and no other clothing) to them for being so brave and creative. http://www.thecancan.com/