The Latest Craze for RansomBoy

Well, the monitor lizard phase has given way to a new obsession: The Thorny Devil. It's an Australian lizard that looks like this:

It's pretty much all he has talked about for the past two days. He wants one for a pet and is planning a trip to Australia to catch it. Click here to watch a brief but fascinating documentary on this guy.

While you are at it, watch this one about the Jesus Christ Lizard. Yes, the lizard is nicknamed after Jesus, because the thing can actually walk (well, run) on top of water! Pretty amazing.

Here was Ransom's bedtime prayer last night: "Dear Lord, please let everyone in the world know about the thorny devil lizard and let them know that it lives in Australia. Also, thank you for the Jesus Christ Lizard, who can walk on the water, just like you, Lord. Amen."

Pelegrina and Siguenza

A friend took us on an outing last Sunday to a beautiful "tiny Spanish village" as Corrie has since referred to it. A ruined eleventh century castle looks down on Pelegrina. We walked up through the town and down into the canyon behind it, following a little path along a creek where the townspeople's gardens are kept. We walked and explored through intermittent rain and sun. What a wonderful afternoon! (Sorry the picture isn't very good.)

There is a walking trail from the "tiny Spanish village" to the nearby city of Siguenza. What a pity we will not be able to return to this lovely place for such an activity. We did drive to Siguenza, though. The twelfth century castle there is far from ruinous. In fact, it was modernized and now functions as a Parador (historic buildings turned into upscale hotels). By then, however, the rain was coming down quite steadily, so after visiting the Parador, we had to content ourselves with a tour of the city in the car. We did happen across a bakery open for business on a Sunday afternoon! So, we munched Spanish bread as we saw the sights.

Adventures in Ransom #10

This week Ransom has pretended to be:

a monitor lizard

a monkey

a pig

a crocodile

a dragon

a chimpanzee

a dinosaur

a bat

a rooster

a dog

a komodo dragon

and a cat.

(Photo by Corrie Jackson)

Dogsitting

Got the opportunity to dog-sit for a few days recently. Ivy only has eyes (and ears) for Corrie and followed her around the house relentlessly. Here's Corrie reading her a bedtime story.

On the Green

A couple of weekends ago we got to watch one of Andrea's students take part in a junior golf tournament. The kid is a golfing maniac and is really good. When Andrea's class prays in the morning, a regular prayer request is for a decreased handicap. We should get his autograph before we leave.