Do you remember the story of God asking Abraham to sacrafice his son Isaac? And at the last minute God, said no, it's okay, kill a sheep instead? Around here, this is one of the biggest holidays of the year, Tabaski.
Like I showed pictures of my kids with Santa, Zuri, our housekeeper, spent almost a day's pay to have a picture printed for me of what she bought with her Christmas/Tabaski bonus. After fattening it up on our old, stale bread, she had the sheep trucked, on top of a truck, to Benin to her mom and two little boys. I think this was like sending, all in one furry package, tree, lights, presents and Christmas dinner.
This is what Tabaski looked like on our street. Hope it was joyous for you and yours. (Jim McManamon, I'm counting on you here.)
In other animal news: Jennifer's fabulously well written article about the giraffes of Niger appeared in today's Christian Science Monitor.