What I did on my summer vacation

Wow, it's been a while since I've been here, and much water has passed under the bridge since then. I moved to a new apartment. I went to Berlin and came safely home. My personal life has gone through more decisions and revisions than even poor old Prufrock could bear. And yet all I know is that I'm still here, and I'm still going to North Dakota next week, and I'm still determined to have the happiest summer ever (so far).

A poem by Ted Kooser

How important it must be
to someone
that I am alive, and walking,
and that I have written
these poems.
This morning the sun stood
right at the end of the road
and waited for me.

Won't you please come home?

The FHA creed

We are the Future Homemakers of America.
We face the future with warm courage and high hope.

For we have the clear consciousness of seeking old and precious values.
For we are the builders of homes, Homes for America’s future,
Homes where living will be the expression of everything that is good and fair,
Homes where truth and love and security and faith will be realities, not dreams.

We are the Future Homemakers of America.
We face the future with warm courage and high hope.

A little more Hall & Oates

America's Sweetheart

This is what reference librarians do at the end of the quarter to goof off. Here's a list of everybody referred to as "America's Sweetheart" on the first 10 pages of the Google results.

Sandra Bullock
Ruth Etting
Mary Pickford
Katherine Heigl
Betty White
Meg Ryan
Meghan McCain
Nicolas Cage
Julia Roberts
Drew Barrymore
Jennifer Aniston
Shirley Temple
Connie Francis
Sally Field
Debbie Reynolds
Jessica Simpson
Tina Fey
Lea Thompson
Shawn Johnson
Kirsten Dunst
Ann Miller

Better than a cup of coffee

Just watch this. There, don't you feel better?