Early september update

Life continues to be rich and full here in Enoughsville.  My visit from the Covid Fairy is over; that unwelcome house guest has packed bags and departed, and I reemerged into a whirlwind of happy activity and social interaction.  Running!  ¡Tomando una clase de Español! Mathing! (There really should be a verb for math, so "mathing" ought to be a word, I say).

My major check-it-off-the-list accomplishment for the week was submitting my Fulbright proposal -- a week before the deadline, even.  I uploaded all the forms and essays, and then printed out a preview to read over.  A friend read my essay (even though I thought it was perfect) and suggested a few more changes (and I agreed she was right); then our grants officer read my revision and suggested a few more changes, some of which I made, and then I proofread it one more time, took a big breath, and hit "SUBMIT".  A caution warning came up: "once you submit, you can't make further changes; do you really want to submit?" and I took another breath, and said "YES".   The next day I read the essay over again and caught a small error:  an extra "a" between two words, ala "drawing bricks that a appear equal sized".  I have decided that this small error is like the deliberate imperfections that Amish sew into quilts, and just emphasizes the humanness of the overall proposal.  Cross fingers!  If it works, this time next year, I'll be in Panama.

My guy is already bopping all over the world.  Here's a short excerpt of his travels.

 When the trip began, I thought I might go to Slovenia or Romania or another place I have never been.  I was in Vienna in 2005 but did not see much of the city. I was there for a conference and saw little of the city. I decided I would go back to places I had been but barely seen. I will be in Geneva tomorrow and then Grenoble on Friday and Saturday before going to Paris on Sunday.  So, I have a plan of sorts. No new places. I went to places where I had a bike the last time I was there and saw very little.

 

 

The city of Geneva is wrapped around the west end of Lake Geneva. Walking the city means walking the semicircle around the end of the lake.  I saw all the neighborhoods and shops in each part of the city.  On the south side are endless high-end boutiques—especially expensive watches. The lake itself is greenish blue and transparent. I walked along the lakeside and could see the bottom of the lake near the shore.

 

 

I left Geneva for Grenoble in the afternoon on an old regional train. It was not crowded. I walked all the way to the end of the train and had an eight-seat compartment to myself for most of the trip. Near the end a couple in their early 20s sat in the compartment.  Just before Grenoble they got in an argument with the conductor. She turned to open the doors at the stop and the young couple ran out of the train. 

As much as I've appreciated being back with other people, so has Inkling, who went to a 90s-themed dance all decked out.

The DJ was playing not very dance-y music, but Inkling started requesting 90's diva songs, and that livened up the dance floor for everyone.  Vogue!  Macarena!  Yes!

And just like I am getting to take classes at school, Bchild is, too!  

1st Day of Preschool

And although they're not traveling to far-off countries, Kinderling and her clan did get to go visit a State Park that has an amazing collapsed bridge (damaged by a tornado two decades ago).

We went to kinzua bridge today! It was awesome!

And what would a family update be without dog stories from Gosling?  She writes,

So, as I told some of you, we are doing a two week trial with a dog named Nova, who isn't going to make the cut as a service dog due to a retinal condition and two behavioral issues (her love of cats and her propensity to counter surf)

Day one pupdate:

I picked Nova up in Williamsburg this morning.

We stopped at Colin’s and hung out with his dog Strider for a bit. Then we came back to my house and she hung with the boys. She did great with them. She is not overly zealous with Watson and she is adorable with Guinness… she gets that cute wiggle butt going. She seems to be low to medium energy for a 1.5 yr old pup. She goes for a walk or a little romp, then can just chill. As a prior service dog in training, she knows a lot of commands already, which is cool. She can pick up your phone or keys and bring them to you. She can twirl, she can adjust her leash if it gets under her leg walking. This evening we went to Ruth and Hope’s parents house, all the kids were there and she was so sweet, wiggly, and gentle with them.

As for her love of food, at our friend’s house, Hope had some chips and beef jerky in a bag on the floor in her room, nova did find those and help herself to a few nibbles. I also learned I need to use the lock on the trash can for time being.

Ultimately, great first day, and she is so sweet and adorable.

. . . 

Finally, although I hate to end on a sad note, I should say that although I submitted my proposal to go to Panama, the country I've been thinking most about this week is Haiti.   One of the missionaries we support started her most recent email this way.

I, Stevie, started and stopped writing this paragraph about a dozen times. Each time I write a newsletter this happens. Why, you might ask? To put it simply – because the situation in Haiti is not simple. It’s incredibly complicated and layered.  One day you get a glimpse of encouragement from the news and the next all you hear is more on death and destruction. There continues to be no president and no signs of an election. The gangs continue to run the country and their crimes have been especially heinous as of late.

For Xavier, the young Haitian man we'd unsuccessfully tried to adopt, life there continues to be tragic.  He's still recovering from breaking his leg, and on Thursday of this week, he received yet another blow when his mother died (I think from cancer).  He is devastated and brokenhearted, and feeling even more alone and hopeless than before.  I'm doing my best to stay in touch with him by WhatsApp, and to respond to his sad emojis with acknowledgement of just how horrible this is, and virtual hugs.  

I don't know what more to say about this, except that it's a good reminder for all of us to take time to appreciate the people we hold dear, and to make the number of such people ever more expansive.  May you and yours be blessed, strengthened, comforted, and energized in your love.