Back to Bushara

This weekend we had a fantastic time once again at Bushara Island, Lake Bunyoni, Uganda, about 4 hours (including the slow border crossing) from Kigali. This time, unfortunately, Niamh's family couldn't come, but many others did. Most of them stayed in cabins, but we were in our new lovely gigantic tent, and camping with us were Hazel's family as well as Zoe's friend Miranda and her mother Anne.

I'll post a few photos to give an idea of the time.

This is at the border, bags of "Irish" potatoes awaiting export to Rwanda, I think. Perhaps they just came from Rwanda. Hard to tell.

Counterclockwise from top left: Zoe and Miranda's flying trapeze, the Three Amigas (Hazel, Zoe, and Miranda) held hands spontaneously and frequently, I carved a pumpkin with my assistant, and we got our inflatable kayak wet again, which was a lot of fun.

Above from top left: Zoe proudly displays Kirsti's excellence in facepainting; Snow White's debut; Our tent decked out to receive trick-or-treaters (it actually rained before they arrived); and a gang of happy revelers.

Welcome Back? Haiku

It's been a long time,

but I'm starting up again.

Will anyone notice?

Haiku June: Day 21

Out for a quick run,

Ribs aching as I breathe deep,

in the green shadows.

Haiku June: Day 20

Father's Day Part II was no slouch either. Andrea and I slept until NINE-FIFTEEN! Zoe had slept over at Papa and Ama's which was wonderful for us, and perhaps better for her, as her cousins Paige, Ethan, and Brock were there as well. Once we were fully awake, we made our way to St. Paul, where Mali and Chad met us as well for a long fun brunch out on the back patio. I got to watch Brazil dominate once again in World Cup action, in a long, lazy Sunday with great food and great company. We ran a few errands, and went home for Andrea to pack.

Egg bake and coffee,

A robin in the bird bath,

brunch in the back yard.

Haiku June: Day 19

We had a great Father's Day Part I, making eggs benedict for Michael and later going out for exceptionally good sushi at Origami in Minneapolis's Warehouse District. Andrea and I then had Date Night, walking from the Nicollet Island Pavillion (where we were married in 2000) to the Stone Arch Bridge Festival of Arts. It was an incredibly beautiful June Minnesota night. Then a stroll Uptown for used books and dessert at Lucia's, and home!

O Mississippi,

Swiftly passing by our feet,

murmuring greetings.

May Haiku Book Reviews

In which I attempt to summarize an entire book in 17 unmetered syllables.

Into the Wild, by Jon Krakauer

A young pilgrim,

starves foolishly and alone,

under silent stars.

A Slight Trick of the Mind, by Mitch Cullen (audiobook)

Aged Sherlock Holmes:

mind and memories fading,

reflects on his life.

The Hermit of Eyton Forest, by Ellis Peters (audiobook)

Brother Cadfael,

Murder and intrigue, the young

lovers are absolved.

PuppyPerfect: The User-Friendly Guide to Puppy Parenting, by Sarah Hodgson

A simple primer

for we who forget the work

of getting dogs right.

Babbitt, by Sinclair Lewis (audiobook)

A scathingly fun

satire on America's

staid conformity.

A Murder at the Vicarage, by Agatha Christie

Miss Marple's debut,

reveals small-town politics

deadly, pre-Blue Velvet

Haiku June: Day 18

Fresh coffee and juice,

Vuvuzelas and songbirds,

A World Cup breakfast.