The toy maker and the arranged marriage

The act of making a stuffed rabbit, or elephant, is sometimes a strange and lonely endeavor. And still, full of possibility.

Introductions are made gradually. Comfort, no matter how soft the wool, comes slow. Much like a new town with new neighbors; the husband in the first week of an arranged marriage; a young student transferred to a class mid-January. Eventually, routine sets in, and town hall, the wife's face, the playground, is so familiar you wonder how it is that you were so uncomfortable in the first place.

And the toy appears and sets his own name and you look at it, ready to make another.

How could it be that this small white or grey or brown rabbit wasn't a part of your life just a few short weeks ago?

Notice of suggestion:

To all landlords: The question should not be how big the dog is, but how the creature is maintained, and to what extent are they trained and excercised and generally taken care of. The question should be directed towards the dog owner and THEIR habits. Please and thank you.

No tears

Small businesses close. I don't see this as anybody's failure. If anything, the "For Lease" sign out front makes me sigh with relief and think, Wow, look at that. They tried something and made a go of it and now get to move on to something else. One dream down, next one to conquer.

I think the same for conglomerates as well. We all said farewell to Borders this year.

Look at all the adventure ahead, everyone. Just look.

Introducing the world's newest (and sweetest) synchronized swimmer:

Love these feet

You'll find it in time

We could use the cliche', "Like riding a bike," to describe memory. Or, we could turn to Ann Patchett's new novel and hear how her character, Dr. Swenson, so aptly describes what happens when the rote-memory-mechanism is fired in the brain:

"The brain is a storage shed. You put experience in there and it waits for you. Don't worry. You'll find it in time."

Indeed, no fretting. The ease with the action performed once comes back. Comforting, no?

Better late

Seven months ago Generosity melted the heart, stole the stage and delivered the punchline.

Took this long to recognize its actions they were so graceful and flawless.

Ever so grateful I got a glimpse at all.