Micheal Franti & Spearhead....Kafero and I attended the most exhilarating, energetic and alive show I've ever been to ! Danced so hard I bruised the bottom of both my feet, yelled so much I lost my voice, was so explosive with energy I couldn't sleep that night and danced til my flight left London in the morning...(did I mention I got a hug and kiss on the forehead from him?!)..hows that for luck ?!
Flew to Paris last week on that rainy Friday morning and had an exploring day of trains and found delicious crepes and tea before getting on my flight for USA...
From the chaos of Africa, with a complete spaghetti pile of cars, motorcycles, bicycles, people walking, potholed roads, no traffic markings, animals roaming, and with no zoning laws, buildings of all sorts and all materials everywhere. Now, Welcome back to America...the word that comes to mind when I stepped onto this in the Detroit aiport..ORGANIZED...electronic devices so you don't even have to move your body to walk, it does it for you, and on these moving walkways, its organized in a 'walk' and 'stand' section, divided by a yellow center line, and labeled about ever 3 feet or so. Now both get you to the same place, the end, where that nice ladies voice informs you its about to end, prepare to move your body again. Also, the fear that feels absorbed by the mind when the loudspeaker warnings in the background of the airport beep every 3 minutes, "security threat level orange"beep. "remember, 3 in 1, three liquids in one bag" beep "do not leave your luggage unattended" beep "do not accept gifts from strangers". I felt like looking for the written aisle on the floor that said 'run', but I could only see 'walk' and 'stand' so thats what I did.
It does feel great to be home, like a big hug to be in the Upper Peninsula again. Eli is the exploring little being that keeps everyone entertained and brings so much life. The fresh trees, blue waters, sandy beaches, sitting under the stars and pure skies, so special.
Eli and I making a snowman in the backyard
amazed at the fire Grandpa made
mom and dad going on a date! how cute.
Grandma Withers and Uncle Eric came up from Florida to spend Christmas with us
that's Amanda at the end of the street on the left in the red coat...waiting for Santa to come on the local fire engine. She waited for 45 minutes, and he did come!
here is the note and snacks she left out for Santa and his reindeer on Christmas eve. (we have told her for years he is not real, but she doesn't believe us, and insists...maybe she knows something we don't?)
Leah, singing and strumming on her guitar
Winter sunrise in our backyard...I love winter, and especially how the snow sparkles in the sun
Eli lining up his buses and cars on Christmas morning
dear friend Jill and I enjoying a night out, and many oogles over her baby that's due in March!
Eli drawing a picture of ''a farmer"
Katy, me, Alissa..reuniting in Detroit for some lunch and laughs on my snowstorm induced layover on my way back to London!
Swans and houseboats along the canal
Sheep grazing under the moon in the English countryside
Eli and 'Auntie Kate'
Could you wake up in a more beautiful place? Cliffs, fresh woods, and the Pacific ocean
10 minutes after this Amanda and I drove through a hail storm.
