This is a very touching story about how the Kim family has mobilized many artists and crafters to create a channel for their collective grief, an online auction that will benefit Kati Kim and her girls. I am constantly amazed at how much people can come together. This isn't something that can be fixed, but it can be ameliorated.

I just pledged money for some art that excites me, and that means I am too broke to buy the auction items. I did donate to the Kim Family Trust after they were found to defray some of the rescue costs. Kati has stated that she has been left with enormous debt, most of their extra resources were sunk into their two little shops, and she had never pulled a paycheck from either of them. Which means that I will be shopping there every time I am in SF, and hopefully other people will too.

In any case, it's a slightly happier new year than last year. This one I am imagining hope and forcing it out of my eyes into the stratosphere. I'm hoping for amazing things.

Beanie finally received her little french kitchenette from Oompa toys. PF put it together in no time flat, and we set it up cleverly in a spot she used to like to climb, but now the climbing/reaching area is obscured by
_The***Exciting Kitchen***_!!! Of Joy!!!
She made us lots of yums yesterday. I tasted so much imaginary soup, I got full.

I am hoping for a good, good year. Starting in February, it's the year of the boar. That is supposed to be a lucky year for me, since I am a boar.

We are all farm animals at our house: Horse, Pig, Chicken.

Barring more sad events that are inevitable as we are merely mortals briefly on this earth, I am excited for what this year can bring.

I'm mostly excited about UFOs at O'Hare Airport, but that's another story.

Cheers!