Life goes on

Abbie came back from the village last night with three children in tow--the two Ademas from before and a shy little girl named Fatimata. So we're back to a full house. She and I stayed up talking until 2 AM last night. It's so good to have her back.

The rainy season has been pretty pitiful in Douentza this year, which is good for us since the number of insects is reduced, but really a problem for the farmers. If the weather continues like this, there's the chance of a really poor harvest and a lot of hungry people. In the States, we just consider rain as kind of a nuisance, but it really is what keeps life moving here. I've never discussed farming so much. "How are the fields? Is the millet growing?" These are common conversation starters.

On the way to the internet today, I saw the cutest baby goats ever. Brand new, umbilical cord still dangling, and prancing around with joy. Little twin brown baby goats. I want one. But I know it will just grow up to be an annoying big goat that looks you in the eye and bleats like you can do something about whatever's wrong. That I do not want.

I've been learning songs with Ramata now. She sings quite well, and it's a nice change of pace to break up an elicitation session. For example, a cow song, which I can now sing pretty well:

The cow doesn't belong just to you.
It belongs to me too.
Save one teat for dad.
Save one teat for mom.

Maybe I can take that back home and fly to the top of the charts with it.