More pieces and bits.

My brain is more abuzz than usual today and I can't seem to get all the thoughts flowing in the same direction.

First, I got an email from my mother this morning that included a picture of our family's headstone at the cemetery where generations of my forebears are buried in New Jersey. That may not mean much to you (that's ok), but I come from an exceptionally close family where that means a lot. My great grandparents, grandparents, and many great aunts and uncles are buried there. From the time I was a little girl I remember going there occasionally—sometimes to bury a family member, sometimes with my grandfather to clean up the area and plant new flowers. My cousin Mark is now the caretaker of that part of the cemetery. I'm posting the picture here for the sake of family members who read the blog.

Second, lest we get too sentimental on this lovely Friday in June, Abbie came in my room this morning carrying her computer to show me the newest TOMS:

Oh my word, is that not the cutest thing you've ever seen? And just so you know, "With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a new pair of shoes to a child in need." (quoted from their website) Just because I don't wear heels doesn't mean I can't admire them. And the flats are pretty cute too. I'm partial to the orange ones for summer:

But in addition to our shoe drooling, Abbie showed me this awesome duvet cover from Urban Outfitters (it wouldn't let me copy the photo). She needs to marry a doctor so she can buy all the cool stuff she finds on the Internet.

Thirdly, do you have any idea how hard it is to find websites about the physics of roller coasters for young children? How am I supposed to explain inertia and centripetal force to a second-grader? I can't very well start talking about angular velocity and tensile stress, can I? (Don't worry, I had to go look that up.)

Fourthly, I'm just about to stop caring about anything else because the girls and I are going to the beach tomorrow, and when my feet hit the hot sand, my brain waves slow to almost non-existent. I'll try not to start drooling until I'm in my beach chair.

Be thankful ~

Karen