busy week

We went to D.C. for a few days.

Hung out with cousins, rode the Metro,

visited museums.

Then came back to Philly in time to see some live music.

And make some of our own.

Happy New Year, everyone!

adeus, cesaria

Cape Verdean singer Cesaria Évora died today at the age of seventy.

I remember hearing her sing in an open-air amphitheater in Cape Verde, on the island of Fogo, almost fifteen years ago. We paid five dollars for the tickets (less than it cost to see some local bands).

Her voice was beautiful and sad and haunting. She performed barefoot, as was her habit.

In between sets, she sat down on the stage and smoked a cigarette, a pensive look on her face.

I would post a photo here, but that was years before digital cameras or any of that.

Instead, I'll leave you with that most Cape Verdean word, the refrain of Cesaria's music, and other Cape Verdean music, too, which means missing, which means longing, homesickness, yearning for something that's gone or past or distant:

Sodadi.

cousins

{this moment}

A Friday ritual from Soule Mama.

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

boy after my own heart

R.: I know how you spell easy. E-Z.

E.: No. That's not how.

Me: Well, sometimes they spell it that way on advertisements.

E.: Yeah, they do that to be cute. But it's not.

Friday

{this moment}

A Friday ritual from Soule Mama.

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

accuracy in homeschooling

Did you know that Brad and Angelina homeschool their six kids?

I just found out, but then again, I am generally completely out of the loop. For example, we just came across the Whole Foods Parking Lot rap. (Thanks, Rebecca.)

E. and R. loved it, and have been singing it nonstop for the past few days.

What can I say? Like B. and A., we are homeschooling to "ensure the greatest accuracy."

As Angelina says, "they have to learn about their country so they can form their own conclusions."