More Sichuan Coverage

Today on Talk of the Nation, they're interviewing NPR reporters who were actually in Sichuan when the earthquake struck.

After 6pm Eastern time, they'll have it uploaded so you can listen to it. Here's the link.

I've been looking for current blogs written by people on the ground in Sichuan, but am having a hard time finding any that are really talking about up-to-date issues. If anyone out there happens to have any links, I'd love it if you'd post them in the comments.

Daniel is leaving tomorrow for his trip to Chengdu, and of course I'm just longing to be on the trip with him. I hope he'll be able to take a lot of photos, and beyond that, I hope that he'll be able to help in some way. Maybe he'll come back with some new ideas for Bamboo Village and how we might be able to help from here.

Thank you for your comments - it really meant a lot to me, to feel like Bamboo Village is something more than just me posting random things about the Fund or the shop. I was also amazed yesterday to be contacted through Etsy by someone asking when the shop would be opening up again.

I'm not yet sure when I will be able to get the shop back up. It involves quite a bit of space, and of course, the physical ability to run the shop properly. The twins are due sometime between September 5 and October 10, so that last 6 weeks is probably out, though my sister has said she'd help me run the shop. I don't know... we're living out of boxes right now. Part of me really wants to get things rolling again, especially in light of current events in Sichuan. If anyone has any advice or ideas, I'd love to hear them!

Finally, we still haven't located Zhang Lin. Daniel is going to make sure to track her family down while he's there, and he's carrying her scholarship money for the next school year with him. I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything.

calling all knitters

My dear friend posted on her blog yesterday the linked message detailing an afghan project for her aunt and cousin who have lost their homes in the San Diego fires.

I'll be casting on tonight.

the pearler

This morning, I woke up, put on the coffee, and sat down at the computer, per the usual morning routine. Much to my delight, I learned quickly that one of my recent additions to the shop sold! It's not so much the sale that delights me, though that is exciting and wonderful, it's the idea that these things that I've seen with my own eyes have connected with someone's heart. Here she is, a pearl seller I photographed in Hainan, China last December:



I'm really looking forward to the weekend. I plan on completing my Treasure Map, assembling some Buddha Belly cards, and printing more iron-ons on Saturday, updating the bamboovillage.org site with the recent totals (hint, we've now surpassed $200!) and then doing some sewing! Yes, you heard me right... I've got some beautiful Asian patterned delights in mind. I should be ready for an update of new items on the Press come the beginning of May. New etched glass, more China photos, a fresh illustration from Laurie, and what a beautiful thing this is: a whole new section for Guest Artists. I'm terribly excited about this!