The Identities Revealed

1. Marcell - and Daisy
2. Jalisa
3. Jennifer
4. Kristy
5. Jan
6. Mary
7. Lori
8. Donna
9. Abbey

Let me know if you want to play dress-up and have your picture taken!

Guess Who!

In order to show everyone the kinds of things we see every day in Qatar, I brought home an abaya and hijab. It has been very interesting to let my friends and family members hold and try on the complete public attire for a devout Muslim woman in Doha. They have been able to feel the heat and heaviness of wearing this imposed outfit. I can't help wonder how Muslim women adhere to such strict, seemingly oppressive restrictions. I haven't been able to talk in depth with a Muslim woman yet about her beliefs and the wearing of the abaya, but I know modesty is a big reason. Why black in such deadly heated deserts? Why do the men get to wear the cool white thobe? There are so many things I want to know.

I've taken photos of everyone who has tried on the abaya, so see if you can guess which mysterious ladies are featured here (Hint: both friends and family members are included). The one with Daisy is a dead giveaway, but I had to include that one, because she was so disturbed with the transformation of her favorite person, she kept growling. Even the models might have trouble identifying themselves. I know the hijab is probably not on correctly, but I really think I will need to take a class to learn how to wear this unusual clothing to do it correctly. So, my apologies to any Muslim friends who might see this.

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Home Sweet Home

Hey, it's been quite awhile since I have posted anything, but recovering from salmonella, moving into a new villa, and traveling home to Utah have been the priority. Our flight from Doha to Salt Lake was a story all in itself, but let's just say one of us came down with the flu (Abbey) and the other two took turns holding a very good kitty in her carrier. All in all, the 28 hour flight could have been worse.

At least we made it home and were welcomed by a wonderful family. In addition to Ben and Mary, there were four surprises. As we were coming down to the baggage claim area in the elevator, Abbey said, "Hey, there's Kristy!" I thought she had just seen someone who looks like Kristy, but all I could see was a very unattractive woman, and I didn't know how Abbey could possibly think that woman was her sister. Then as Abbey was trying to explain, I saw Kristy poke her head around the corner of one of the airport shops. The surprise had been found out, but it was so fun nonetheless. I got to hold and squeeze my grandsons sooner than I had expected, and it was a good thing, because as we flew over Colorado before landing in Utah, a small part of me wished we had three parachutes so we could bail out and visit the Robinsons. Luckily, my sleep deprived mind didn't get that wish, because the Robinsons had come the eight hours to welcome us home. Other surprises included a newly finished basment room and bathroom and storage shelves courtesy of Ben, Mary, and Mary's expert family helpers. It was a great day, but we ended up at Instacare with Abbey having a 104 degree temperature. We spent the next few days laying low, recovering from the flight, and nursing Abbey.

Utah has had more than its fair share of rain the last few weeks, and most everyone here is pretty tired of it. We, on the other hand, love the crisp weather and the summer showers. Last night the sky was very dramatic as another storm gathered from the north. I snapped these shots of the beautiful sky and then the three rainbows we saw after the downpour. Brett, Abbey, and I stood on the porch and soaked in the spellbinding qualities of the rain. The wind picked up and turned quickly cool, and we watched the dark sky bubble over into streaking, headlong moisture in the distance. The mountains to the east picked up the clouds and they hovered so low that the peaks were covered. We finally had to go inside when the rain reached our front door. After a few minutes of blustering weather expressions, we stepped out to see three rainbows bending over the mountains, one for each of us. It is so good to be home.