Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons. ~ Ruth Ann Schabacker

A couple of days ago as I went out to get the mail I found a package sitting on the porch ledge underneath our mailbox. It came from my friend Betty in Paraguay and what an unexpected surprise it was! I don't know who was more excited, my grandboys or myself, but as soon as I found some scissors the three of us sat down and started working on taking off all the paper. Beneath the top layer was all kinds of security tape and paper..."Inspected by US Customs - Homeland Security" criss-crossed every which way, but thankfully whoever inspected it was careful not to hurt what was inside. As I unwrapped each piece the grandboys "Ooooooh!'ed" and "Aaaaaaaah'ed!" over each treasure. Betty was thoughtful enough to send them each a figure of native animals handcarved out of wood...some kind of heavy, dense, and very beautiful wood. Coopy saw this:

and claimed the little tortoise for himself. Dylan loved what I think is some kind of armadillo? And when I told them they'd come from a faraway place from a lovely internet friend of Grandma's named Betty they both piped up and said, "Thank you, Betty!"

And this one was for me:

A Paraguayan hand-painted mask made out of clay by a local artisan. Betty was afraid it was something I wouldn't pick out for myself but I told her I happen to love this kind of art...I love handmade pottery, too, and collect various pieces. I have my mask hanging on one of the wooden posts of our archway between the living room and dining room. The boys have their animal figurines close at hand with their other toys. We are three very happy campers!

Thank you again, dear Betty, for such thoughtfulness in sending these lovely gifts our way!

((((((((((HUG))))))))))