I only very recently came to the realization that I cry A LOT. Hardly ever because I'm sad. Most of the time because I'm really moved by someone or something. In the book I'm reading, every time Greg gets a donation, I cry. I've cried about 8 times in the last couple of weeks listening to a message little Kennedy left me just because she's so cute and I love her to death. But the one thing that REALLY gets me is a crowd of people cheering. The first time I can remember crying for that reason was at the rodeo with my cousin Robin. We were probably about 12, and we both cried when a little kid finally got a cow he had been struggling with in the calf scramble. Today I cried when I read on the New York Times that 75,000 people turned out for Barack Obama in Portland on Sunday. just the sight of the crowd from the pictures and some close-ups of people cheering made me cry, and I wasn't even there! I cried at the fiddlers frolics twice. Once when they announced the 5th place winner for the over-all bbq contest. The prize went to a guy named Marty Patek, who I grew up with and is mentally challenged. The crowd went wild when they announced it, and he seemed so proud. Then, during the finals of the fiddle contest, a young man from Austin took the frolics by a storm and blew everyone away. It was pretty awesome. The pictures above are from the frolics. Kirsten and I were very proud to be photographed with Harvey, the MC who is 83 and is a legend at the frolics.

check out carl's blog for photos of our shark fishing excursion last weekend with cousins Jason and Darlys

With so many tragedies in East Asia lately its hard to donate your money anywhere else, but for those of you looking, I have a great suggestion. The organization is called the Central Asia Institue, and it was started by a wonderful man named Greg Mortenson. His story is told in the book Three Cups of Tea by David Relin, and it is absolutely incredible. I encourage all of you to read it, and if you feel it in your heart, donate a few dollars. It doesn't take very much to make a huge impact. It only costs $1 per month for one child's education in Pakistan, a penny to buy a pencil, and a teacher's salary averages $1 per day. I believe that approximately 55 schools have been built in the last ten years, all from donations. And one of the most incredible things is that this is the first time that girls have had a school to attend. Greg Mortenson and the CAI believe that improving communities begins with educating its women. Prior to 1999, 5-10 women per village died every year during childbirth. The first educated girl of her village in the Braldu Valley decided she wanted to do something about it, so she petitioned to the CAI for assistance to travel to the city and further her education. She became a midwife, and since her return to the Braldu in 1999, not one single woman has died from birthing complications. I think Greg's story is so amazing, and I know you will too.
www.ikat.org
www.threecupsoftea.com