And the winner is . . . Isabel!

Isabel entered the Mary West Solo Competition held last Sunday at Augsburg College--and she won her division (11 and under)!  You are invited to a "Winner's Recital" this Sunday, November 11 at 7:00pm at Harriet United Methodist Church, 4901 Chowen Ave South in Minneapolis.  She will be playing "The Boy Paganini" by Edward Mollenhauer.  Yay, Isabel!

Cell Phone or Artifact?

My cell phone died while we were in Chicago for our visa interviews the last weekend in September.  Since we're way out of contract and had only two months left in the country, I went to Radio Shack to get a cheap pre-paid phone to last us until we get to France.  The salesman and I had a good laugh when he saw my old phone.  "I remember when that one came out.  You might be able to sell it to the Museum of Science and Industry," he chuckled.  At the register when I was buying a new $20 phone, he burst into laughter, then composed himself.  "I'm sorry but I have to ask you this: Would you like to purchase an extended warranty or a scratch-protector?"  He couldn't get through it without doubling over!  Since we had such a good time, I asked him to pose with me and my "artifact."