привет

(Free cyber-shot of vodka to the first ten readers who correctly translate the above greeting.)

Well, to paraphrase John, Paul, George, and Ringo I’m back in the U.S., back in the U.S., back in the, um, U.S.A. And alas on the way the paper bag was on my knee. But after that it was smooth sailing and a terrific terrific sojourn to the land of blinis, borscht, balalaikas, and babushkas. Over the next few weeks I’ll share a bit of the trip. High point was definitely the Hermitage. And Catherine’s Palace. And a visit with a cosmonaut.  Outta this world.

And now for the mother/daughter first which went down while I was kicking around the Kremlin: my essay/her art.  She will knock you out. I hope it’s the first of many such collaborations.

пока пока

(Free cyber-chai to the first ten translators of the above phrase.)