Braden and snake

My cousin just forwarded me this picture of Braden... not everyday you get an out-of-the-blue email with a picture attached of your son, who-knows-where, holding a snake . It looks like he enjoyed it though, and he made it home okay from school.

last rush and back

I spent my last few days in Brazil trying to organize everything for the sale of our apartment and car and trying to straighten up any remaining obligations with taxes. My good friend Wellington was a lifesaver. He accompanied me for most of my appointments and helped me to see the right people. And now he continues to help move these things forward with me here.

Obrigado, Wellington!

The flight back was insanity but my fatigue made it a little more bearable. I rode the bus to the Belo airport, then flew to Rio, changed planes and flew to São Paulo, waited on the plane for more to board, flew to Houston, changed planes and flew to Tampa. In Tampa I had a 6-hour layover before flying to Tallahassee. What was I thinking to book this flight? I slept on most of the flights though and almost fell asleep on the floor while I waited in Tampa.

Heringer Wedding

Congratulations to Emerson and Monick! They were married this past Sunday in Teofilo Otoni... about 6 or 10 hours from Belo Horizonte depending on the traffic. I just got back into town and have a nice right-arm suntan to show from the ride back.
Emerson studied the Bible in a small group with me for several years while we lived in Brazil. It was awesome to see him starting a new family with Monick. Monick and Emerson both went with us to South Africa back in 2004. That's where it all started.

4 flights in

I'm writing from the airport in Belo Horizonte. I've arrived safely with all my bags and I'm about to get on the bus to head into town. I'll be here for the next several days looking to sell our place and attending a wedding of some friends of mine. Back in Brazil after almost 9 months... unbelievable!

californian surprise

Karl Smart, long-lost fellow Bearcat, drove through town yesterday. He came over from Chattahoochee, where he had a plate of frog legs and mullet, a necessary plate for any visiting Californian. We extended the impromptu visit as long as we could: you've got to see our cats, go with us to the baseball game, look at our Attacktix, wait have some coffee. Thanks for coming, Karl!

Photographer: Lucy Dowdy

mariachi artsfest

We went down to Willis Park yesterday to hear a four-member Mariachi band. It's Artsfest this week, which means brown bags, jazz bands and crooners. We head back today for the Grassy Flats Boys, I think.

pão de queijo

Our friends Raul and Vivi are here this week and they brought us some povilho (manioc starch) from the Brazilian market in Atlanta. So, we made some traditional cheese bread that we haven't tasted since leaving Brazil.

Braden's prize

Braden won first place in the literary competition for the Bainbridge Artsfest. He still hasn't let me read the story--he says it's about a zoo. He'll be rewarded today at Bainbridge College.

the little girl and the sea

Spring Break! We spent several days down at Mexico Beach. We had good weather; even enough to swim. We are now en route to Amy's nephew Trey's birthday party.