today i was weeding books (getting rid of those that don't ciruclate or are circulated to pieces) and i found a book that had marker scribbled all over the cover. one of the eight-year-old girls picked up the book and said "what happened?" i explained that someone had colored on it. "god," she said in complete disgust, "people."

in another example of kids saying things above their years, i was dancing the hokey pokey with a group of five and six year-olds and having fun putting arms and legs, etc., in and out of the circle. i suggested left arm, they suggested the nose, i suggested the butt, and right as i suggested "whole self," one of the kids grabbed himself (yes, what you are picturing is correct) and said "nuts!" fortunately, the "whole self" verse drowned out his voice. very fortunately.

on my way home today, i saw a homeless man stumble out of a starbucks and pick up a half-smoked cigarette from a crack in the sidewalk.

and so it goes.