Goder afton i denna sal

First things first: much excitement! There is a new baby! John George (Paul Ringo?) was born October first to my first cousin once removed, Michael, and his wife Marian. So Sofia has a little brother now, as well as a little cousin. I should probably get my bad self down to Jersey to see them, seeing as I am now two babies behind on introductions! Congratulations, Michael and Marian. John is just gorgeous, and it must be so nice that he's home from the hospital so they can get to know him.

On a totally different note, I should really not have read Guns, Germs, and Steel this summer. Because this geography essay could get to be a book at the rate I'm going "hmm, should probably cover that. And this, too. What about the number of navigable watercourses? And the time unique political cultures had to develop? And how about debt relief? And the Catholic Church? How is society structured in all these places, anyway?" Note to self, it is just a 1500-word paper, not the New, Improved Theory of Everything (now even more comprehensive!). And it's due tomorrow, so really.

Here are a couple of photos from this past weekend. Oh, the fabulousness. Diane has the one of us by the fountain. I'm not going to tell you what's in the fountain, you'll find out when I chivvy her to send me the picture! And here she is in the National Gallery!

Jordan and Wulfric threw a party for the occasion of Diane's visit (OK, it was the traditional party for Jordan's birthday, but whatever). It was a great party no matter how you slice it. And, fortunately, nobody got sliced and the fuzz didn't show up. Just lots of people (some B.PAPMers, some -- gasp! -- not, but still very pleasant). Katherine agrees: