this was a good week

Alex on her last day of fifth grade, Thursday, May 28, 2015.

My, what a week!  Here's why it was a good one:

•  Yesterday was Alex's last day of 5th grade.  This may not be astonishing to you, but it's pretty mindblowing for me.  I just got her, man!  How could she possibly be already going into the 6th grade?!

•  But let's not dwell on that yet -- first, it's summer! And happily, I don't have any trips planned for a while.  I've loved all of the places I've been recently -- Arizona! Malawi! Maine! -- but I'm ready to keep myself quiet for a little while.

•  Speaking of summer, this photo series by a Jamaican photographer brings back fond memories of my childhood.  Beautiful work.

•  Also during the summer, perhaps I'll take this beatboxing master class.  Because I'm sure that Alex would love if I gave a demonstration of my skillz to her 6th grade friends on the first day of school.

•  I've been very lax in my journaling recently, but I'm newly-inspired by this incredible interview of Danny Gregory by my dear friend Lisa Congdon, including images from his art journals.  This might be just the kick in the pants I need.

•  The weather in Texas has been horrendous lately -- so far, we've managed to escape being adversely affected, but close friends of ours haven't been so lucky.  More rains are expected over the next week or so as well, so we're all bracing ourselves.  It makes reading the words and viewing these images by famed photographer Steve McCurry seem even more meaningful.  (Also, for a more personal account of what we've been dealing with here in Texas, check out my friend Laura's excellent write-up here and here -- and that first link includes ways that you can help, if you're so inclined.)

•  Y'all -- I think Bishop Desmond Tutu shared a post I wrote about Malawi.  And if I'm not dreaming this, I may have to just quit the Internet while I'm ahead.

•  And finally, for the song of the day, something a bit old-school:  Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald.  Because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing.  Doowahdoowahdoowahdoowah.  (Click here or the image below to watch.)

On that jazzy note, have a great weekend, friends.  See you next week.