We are enjoying a temporary addition to our canine family while friends are out of town. Maya insists on carrying Lilly, who revels in the attention, everywhere. Nala is not as enthralled by the new visitor although she has been extremely tolerant. There is something to be said for a dog that acts like one, sparking debate over the merits of a trade for Nala, who for all but physical appearance is really a cat.

NicolaiCalabria.com is now up and running. For some time now, Nico has been interested in establishing a web presence for the purpose of building his personal brand. We have been working together on it for a few weeks and felt it was ready to go live. Future additions will include a fundraising mechanism to help him finance his trip to the Amputee World Cup soccer tournament to be held later this year in Mexico and a more complete photo gallery.

UPDATE: I have let this domain expire since Nico is now using Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok as his social media platforms.

I rarely sit down with a book and read it cover to cover in one sitting. Wonder, by R.J. Palacio, had me spellbound from the first page. She exposes the reader to a world that most cannot imagine. I was left inspired by the power of kindness over ignorance and by the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. If you are a parent… read this book. If you have ever been bullied…. read this book. If you are a bully…. read this book. If you are a teacher…. read this book to your students. If you do not read this book…. try to be “kinder than is necessary.”

The new Concord Carlisle High School is really starting to take shape. I was shocked to see the amount of progress since last fall. The building overlooks the turf fields where I play soccer and this morning we hosted a friendly with a D1 team from the northern division. I was not in peak form, still recovering from an ankle injury I suffered weeks ago. On the one hand, I have full mobility. On the other, every heel strike is accompanied by serious pain which is not a good way to play soccer. I made it through the match without sustaining any new maladies but also failed to contribute much to the team effort. We lost 1-3, a proper outcome given how rusty everyone seemed.

Our dog barely fits in the dog house I improvised for her. Still, Maya seems to feel there is enough space to hang out together. I am sure I have posted a similar scene in the past but took the time today to make a more attractive composition. The balance of my day was spent completing income tax filings for the family and my father’s estate.

Although most of the snow on the ground has melted with the rain and higher temperatures this week, there remains a 4-foot high snow mound on our deck. I am guessing it will be with us for quite some time still. Our own little glacier.

While in San Antonio with Nicolai the week before last, I was asked to capture headshots for each member of the US national amputee soccer team. I should have anticipated that I would be asked to do this and brought my portable lighting setup. Regrettably, I did not and had to make do with crappy available light. This evening I did some post-processing to make the best of the situation and this is the final image for Nicolai.

I think it is safe to say that Jeanine really needed to get away from the pressures of work and family to unwind for a bit. From all reports, she is having a fabulous time in West Palm Beach. Apparently, the sun there is extremely intense. On the home front, I am pleased to say that all children and one dog remain alive with an increased appreciation for their mother’s fine cooking.

I published another new photo book, this one documenting my 2011 trekking vacation in Peru. I am on something of a roll now and think I will tackle Alaska next.

It sweeps to the sea cliff and will travel through time.

Simple deep and pure.

Stream growing, pools shimmer light blue.

Water sewn to the Earth,

it wraps around life and again begins.

Water bends to the spirit

and dances back to explore the fire.

Jeanine and Maya were guest speakers at the First Parish Sunday Forum where they shared pictures and their accounts of Maya’s Coming of Age adventure in India. Dressed in the clothes they wore while in India, they talked about the school for tribal girls where they volunteered, the people that they met, and the highlights of their visit. Also presenting was Derek Mitchell, Director of the Unitarian Universalist Holdeen India Program which helped to create and funds the school.

Immediately after the forum, I whisked Jeanine off to the airport. She is bound for West Palm Beach to visit with childhood friend Kris Earle and her mother. I will be holding down the fort until she returns on Thursday. I have promised to keep the children fed but made no representations about nutritional quality. The dog is at the mercy of the kids for her sustenance.

Maya and I took turns flying a quadcopter that I have on loan for the weekend. On more than one occasion during her early training, I found myself running for life and limb. Laughter during these episodes did nothing to improve her skill. Amazingly, despite rather strong winds, we managed to avoid any crash landings. With a little more practice I may attempt an aerial photograph of the house.

In a recent phone call with Kyle we sensed he was under some pressure in the face of approaching exams. Jeanine decided to send him a care package which included home baked raisin oatmeal cookies, a Captain Underpants hat, and fresh pumpkin bread. Maya added several personal messages to the outside of the box and I added a copy of the photo book I recently completed which documents the adventure Kyle and I shared in Patagonia. The book can be perused by clicking below.