Cleanup time

I promise not all these thoughts are about Sophie, but most of them are.

• Lisa and I noticed today (and independently of each other) that The Girl seemed both heavier (me) and taller (she). Seems unlikely that a noticeable change could happen so quickly, but there it is.
• What's growth like in China? Giant construction cranes -- the kind that build skyscrapers and apartment buildings -- are everywhere. All of Charlotte might have three of these cranes operating at one time, but a single block in Beijing can have eight or more. In other words, growth is key-razy.
  
• If I were running the Democratic party, here's the slogan I'd use in the next presidential election: "Bring it back home." Like any good slogan, it speaks to whatever the voter's concerns are without being too specific. You want to end the involvement in Iraq? Bring it back home. Worried about American jobs going overseas? Bring it back home. Foreign debt? Bring it back home.
• Our friends the Gillespies from the China trip write to tell us about this pronouncement of wisdom from their daughter Emma: "Yesterday, we were driving somewhere and Emma says to me, 'Mom, you know Katie Min Min?' And of course I say yes.'Then she says 'Well, she looks good with Ms. Jen and Mr. Dan. I mean, she fits good with them. And Sophie, she fits good with Mr. Jacob and Ms. Lisa. And Kara, you know... she looks good with us too. Don't you think?'" Yes, Emma -- you're absolutely right.
• My new desktop picture