diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e69de29..aeb0880 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+# Doodles
+
+This is a library that lets you write short programs that draw images or animations.
+
+The design goals are, in approximate order of importance:
+
+* Demonstrate some design patterns & concepts.
+* Provide an example of a library design.
+* Have a learning tool that's somewhat fun to play with.
+
+Notably absent from this list: "make a useful tool" and "demonstrate the *right* way to do things."
+
+This library demonstrates *ways* to do things, there is almost never a single correct way.
+Sometimes choices will be made to provide more interesting code to learn from, or a more fun API to use.
+
+## Rationales
+
+I will document the reason that certain decisions were made, particularly when they were not my first thought.
+
+If any decisions are unclear, I consider that a bug, please file a corresponding GitHub issue.
+
+### Mutability
+
+Often, an API based on chaining like this would be comprised of immutable objects.
+Django's QuerySet mostly works in this way.
+
+That was the original intention here as well, but once `Text` was added it was clear that it was going to be a lot more complex than it was worth.
+
+`Text` requires an intermediate buffer to render the text to, and that buffer is then rendered to the screen. This would be incredibly expensive in a pure immutable approach, since there'd be no place to store that state.
+
+The addition of state to the objects simplifies a lot of things, now when an object is created it can be registered with the `World`, if many intermediate copies were created in a chained call like `Circle().pos(100, 100).color(255, 0, 0).z(10).radius(4)` this approach would not be available to us.
+
+### Naming Scheme
+
+This library makes use of @property to create getters, but uses function chaining instead of property-based setters.
+
+This complicates things a bit, since you can't write `self.x(100)` and use `self.x` as a property.
+
+The unorthodox decision was made to use `x(100)` as a setter function, and use `.x_val` as the property name.
+
+This is primarily because setting properties is more common than getting properties in doodles.
+
+## Design Patterns
+
+TODO: flesh this out with more notes
+
+A number of design patterns are utilized in this library.
+I'm open to suggestions for more to add, especially where an interesting feature can demonstrate the utility.
+
+### Factory 
+
+TODO: No factory yet surprisingly, should be easy to add one to add shapes, but can consider other options.
+
+### Prototype
+
+The `Doodle` class (and an override in `Group`) demonstrate the utility of the Prototype pattern.
+
+Letting these objects specify how they are copied makes the desired behavior possible, the utility of which can be seen in `examples/copies.py`.
+
+This would often be done via the `__copy__/__deepcopy__` methods, but for simplicity as well as API compatibility this is done in `.copy()` here.
+
+### Singleton
+
+The `World` class is treated as a Singleton and contains notes on alternate implementations.
+
+### Bridge / Strategy
+
+TODO: the planned Renderer class will demonstrate these
+
+### Composite
+
+The Group class (along with Doodle) forms a composite.
+
+### Command
+
+The structure of the Doodle object is a command class.
+It stores the information about the action to be performed encapsulated.
+It's entire purpose is to provide arguments to a draw* method.
+
+### Observer
+
+TODO: room to implement, dynamic properties?
+
+### Template Method
+
+The update method, the draw method.
+
+### Visitor
+
+TODO: maybe use along with group?
+
+### Flyweight Cache
+
+Text's Font Cache is a flyweight
diff --git a/src/doodles/doodles.py b/src/doodles/doodles.py
index e0ddf71..3bef6f5 100644
--- a/src/doodles/doodles.py
+++ b/src/doodles/doodles.py
@@ -25,9 +25,10 @@ class Doodle(ABC):
 
     def __init__(self, parent=None):
         self._parent = parent
-        self._color = parent._color if parent else Color.BLACK
-        self._z_index = 0
         self._updates = []
+        self._color = parent._color if parent else Color.BLACK
+        self._alpha = parent._alpha if parent else 255
+        self._z_index = 0
         # Is storing this vector in a tuple the right thing to do?
         # It might make more sense to store _x and _y, or use
         # a library's optimized 2D vector implementation.
@@ -38,7 +39,7 @@ class Doodle(ABC):
         self._register()
 
     def _register(self):
-        """ register with parent and world """
+        """register with parent and world"""
         if self._parent:
             # register with parent for updates
             self._parent.add(self)
@@ -87,6 +88,8 @@ class Doodle(ABC):
         new._register()
         return new
 
+    # Setters #######################
+
     def color(self, color: tuple[int, int, int]) -> "Doodle":
         """
         Color works as a kind of setter function.
@@ -106,13 +109,34 @@ class Doodle(ABC):
         self._pos_vec = (x, y)
         return self
 
-    def z_index(self, z: float) -> "Doodle":
+    def x(self, x: float) -> "Doodle":
+        """
+        Setter for x component.
+        """
+        self._pos_vec = (x, self._pos_vec[1])
+
+    def y(self, y: float) -> "Doodle":
+        """
+        Setter for x component.
+        """
+        self._pos_vec = (self._pos_vec[0], y)
+
+    def alpha(self, a: int) -> "Doodle":
+        """
+        Setter for alpha transparency
+        """
+        self._alpha = a
+        return self
+
+    def z(self, z: float) -> "Doodle":
         """
         Setter for z_index
         """
         self._z_index = z
         return self
 
+    # Modifiers #################
+
     def move(self, dx: float, dy: float) -> "Doodle":
         """
         This shifts the vector by a set amount.
@@ -135,47 +159,52 @@ class Doodle(ABC):
         # used by all downstream functions
         return self.pos(x, y).color(color)
 
+    # Getters ################
+
     @property
-    def x(self) -> float:
+    def world_x(self) -> float:
         """
-        A read-only attribute "doodle.x" that will
+        A read-only attribute "doodle.world_x" that will
         return the screen position derived from the parent position
         plus the current object's x component.
 
-        Note the recursion here, parent.x is an instance of doodle.x.
+        Note the recursion here, parent.world_x is an instance of doodle.world_x.
 
         For example:
 
-        A.x = 100
-        |--------B.x 10
-                 |--------C.x 20
+        A x = 100
+        |--------B x = 10
+                 |--------C.world_x 20
 
-        When drawing object C, parent.x will call B.x, which will call A.x.
-        B.x will return 110, and C.x will therefore return 130.
+        When drawing object C, world_x will call B.world_x which will call
+        A.world_x.
+        B will return 110, and C therefore returns 130.
         """
         if self._parent:
-            return self._parent.x + self._pos_vec[0]
+            return self._parent.world_x + self._pos_vec[0]
         return self._pos_vec[0]
 
     @property
-    def y(self) -> float:
+    def world_y(self) -> float:
         """
-        See documentation for .x above.
+        See documentation for .world_y above.
         """
         if self._parent:
-            return self._parent.y + self._pos_vec[1]
+            return self._parent.world_y + self._pos_vec[1]
         return self._pos_vec[1]
 
-    # @property
-    # def z_index(self) -> float:
-    #     return self._z_index
-
     @property
-    def pos_vec(self) -> (float, float):
+    def world_vec(self) -> (float, float):
         """
         Obtain derived position vector as a 2-tuple.
         """
-        return self.x, self.y
+        return self.world_x, self.world_y
+
+    @property
+    def rgba(self) -> (int, int, int, int):
+        """
+        """
+        return (*self._color, self._alpha)
 
 
 class Group(Doodle):
@@ -200,7 +229,7 @@ class Group(Doodle):
         self._doodles = []
 
     def __repr__(self):
-        return f"Group(pos={self.pos_vec}, doodles={len(self._doodles)})"
+        return f"Group(pos={self.world_vec}, doodles={len(self._doodles)})"
 
     def draw(self, screen):
         """
diff --git a/src/doodles/examples/balls.py b/src/doodles/examples/balls.py
index 464e594..0b4db70 100644
--- a/src/doodles/examples/balls.py
+++ b/src/doodles/examples/balls.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ it is left as a pass-through like we see here.
 Objects without an update method are static.
 """
 
+
 class Ball(Circle):
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__()
@@ -21,24 +22,27 @@ class Ball(Circle):
 
     def update(self):
         self.move(0, self.speed)
-        if self.y > world.HEIGHT + 20:
-            self.move(0, -world.HEIGHT-20)
-
+        if self.world_y > world.HEIGHT + 20:
+            self.move(0, -world.HEIGHT - 20)
 
 
 class GravityBall(Circle):
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__()
-        self.accel = 0.5 # accel per frame
+        self.accel = 0.5  # accel per frame
         self.speed = random.random() * 10
 
     def update(self):
         self.speed += self.accel
         self.move(0, self.speed)
-        if self.y > world.HEIGHT - 10:
-            self.speed *= -0.98 # dampening
-            self.pos(self.x, world.HEIGHT - 10.01)
+        if self.world_y > world.HEIGHT - 10:
+            self.speed *= -0.98  # dampening
+            self.y(world.HEIGHT - 10.01)
+
 
 def create():
-    [Ball().pos(40*i, 0).radius(10).color(Color.BLUE) for i in range(21)]
-    [GravityBall().pos(20+40*i, 0).radius(10).color(Color.PURPLE) for i in range(21)]
+    [Ball().pos(40 * i, 0).radius(10).color(Color.BLUE) for i in range(21)]
+    [
+        GravityBall().pos(20 + 40 * i, 0).radius(10).color(Color.PURPLE)
+        for i in range(21)
+    ]
diff --git a/src/doodles/examples/circles.py b/src/doodles/examples/circles.py
index 681f67f..8c38996 100644
--- a/src/doodles/examples/circles.py
+++ b/src/doodles/examples/circles.py
@@ -10,6 +10,6 @@ def create():
     color = color_cycle()
     g = Group().pos(400, 300)
     for r in range(20, 100, 12):
-        Circle(g).radius(r).color(next(color)).z_index(-r)
+        Circle(g).radius(r).color(next(color)).z(-r)
     for r in range(100, 250, 12):
-        Circle(g).radius(r).color(next(color)).z_index(-r)
+        Circle(g).radius(r).color(next(color)).z(-r)
diff --git a/src/doodles/examples/clock.py b/src/doodles/examples/clock.py
index 03e6bb9..0d75495 100644
--- a/src/doodles/examples/clock.py
+++ b/src/doodles/examples/clock.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ from doodles import Circle, Color, Line, Group
 
 def create():
     g = Group().pos(400, 300)
-    Circle(g).radius(300).color(Color.BLACK).z_index(1)
-    Circle(g).radius(290).color(Color.BROWN).z_index(10)
-    Circle(g).radius(20).color(Color.BLACK).z_index(50)
-    Line(g).vec(lambda: time.time() % 60 / 60 * 360, 200).z_index(100)
+    Circle(g).radius(300).color(Color.BLACK).z(1)
+    Circle(g).radius(290).color(Color.BROWN).z(10)
+    Circle(g).radius(20).color(Color.BLACK).z(50)
+    Line(g).vec(lambda: time.time() % 60 / 60 * 360, 200).z(100)
diff --git a/src/doodles/examples/copies.py b/src/doodles/examples/copies.py
index 36d7612..2bfaad0 100644
--- a/src/doodles/examples/copies.py
+++ b/src/doodles/examples/copies.py
@@ -1,13 +1,9 @@
 from doodles import Group, Circle, Color
 
-def original():
+def create():
     g = Group()
     c = Circle(g).radius(80).color(Color.RED).pos(0, 0)
     for _ in range(15):
         c = c.copy().move(45, 45)
-    return g
-
-def create():
-    r = original()
-    r.copy().move(200, 0).color(Color.GREEN)
-    r.copy().move(400, 0).color(Color.BLUE)
+    g.copy().move(200, 0).color(Color.GREEN)
+    g.copy().move(400, 0).color(Color.BLUE)
diff --git a/src/doodles/examples/rects.py b/src/doodles/examples/rects.py
index b672152..1f03a5e 100644
--- a/src/doodles/examples/rects.py
+++ b/src/doodles/examples/rects.py
@@ -3,10 +3,10 @@ import random
 
 def create():
     for _ in range(25):
-        Rectangle().random(200).color(Color.BLACK).z_index(10)
-        Rectangle().random(150).color(Color.DARK_BLUE).z_index(15)
-        Rectangle().random(100).color(Color.DARK_GREY).z_index(20)
-        Rectangle().random(50).color(Color.LIGHT_GREY).z_index(30)
+        Rectangle().random(200).color(Color.BLACK).z(10)
+        Rectangle().random(150).color(Color.DARK_BLUE).z(15)
+        Rectangle().random(100).color(Color.DARK_GREY).z(20)
+        Rectangle().random(50).color(Color.LIGHT_GREY).z(30)
         # Rectangle().random(250).color(
         #     random.choice((Color.BLACK, Color.LIGHT_GREY, Color.DARK_GREY, Color.WHITE))
         # )
diff --git a/src/doodles/examples/scale.py b/src/doodles/examples/scale.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..459d917
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/doodles/examples/scale.py
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+from doodles import Group, Circle, Color
+
+def tri():
+    g = Group()
+    Circle(g).radius(50).color(Color.RED).pos(0, 0).alpha(128)
+    Circle(g).radius(50).color(Color.GREEN).pos(-25, 35).alpha(128)
+    Circle(g).radius(50).color(Color.BLUE).pos(25, 35).alpha(128)
+    return g
+
+def create():
+    r = tri().move(200, 200)
diff --git a/src/doodles/examples/words.py b/src/doodles/examples/words.py
index 9754178..a1c4651 100644
--- a/src/doodles/examples/words.py
+++ b/src/doodles/examples/words.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ from doodles import Group, Circle, Color, Text
 Text.make_font("small", 16, "mono")
 Text.make_font("medium", 24, "copperplate")
 Text.make_font("large", 48, "papyrus")
-print(Text._fonts)
 
 # Via ChatGPT
 hello_world = [
@@ -39,4 +38,4 @@ def create():
     for greeting in itertools.chain.from_iterable(itertools.repeat(hello_world, 3)):
         Text().random().font(
             random.choice(("small", "medium", "large"))
-        ).text(greeting)
+        ).color(random.choice((Color.LIGHT_GREY, Color.DARK_GREY))).text(greeting)
diff --git a/src/doodles/lines.py b/src/doodles/lines.py
index 2865692..a4b3201 100644
--- a/src/doodles/lines.py
+++ b/src/doodles/lines.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ class Line(Doodle):
         self._offset_vec = (10, 0)
 
     def __repr__(self):
-        return f"Line(pos={self.pos_vec}, end={self.end_vec}, {self._color})"
+        return f"Line(pos={self.world_vec}, end={self.end_vec}, {self._color})"
 
     def draw(self, screen):
         """
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ class Line(Doodle):
         to the class and gaining flexibility from separating
         presentation logic from data manipulation.
         """
-        pygame.draw.aaline(screen, self._color, self.pos_vec, self.end_vec)
+        pygame.draw.aaline(screen, self._color, self.world_vec, self.end_vec)
 
     def to(self, x: float, y: float) -> "Doodle":
         """
@@ -93,9 +93,9 @@ class Line(Doodle):
     @property
     def end_vec(self):
         """
-        Parallel to pos_vec for end of line.
+        Parallel to world_vec for end of line.
         """
         return (
-            self.x + self._offset_vec[0],
-            self.y + self._offset_vec[1],
+            self.world_x + self._offset_vec[0],
+            self.world_y + self._offset_vec[1],
         )
diff --git a/src/doodles/shapes.py b/src/doodles/shapes.py
index 7f2407b..84dbe55 100644
--- a/src/doodles/shapes.py
+++ b/src/doodles/shapes.py
@@ -13,10 +13,10 @@ class Circle(Doodle):
         self._radius = 0
 
     def __repr__(self):
-        return f"Circle(pos={self.pos_vec}, radius={self._radius}, {self._color}, parent={self._parent}))"
+        return f"Circle(pos={self.world_vec}, radius={self._radius}, {self._color}, parent={self._parent}))"
 
     def draw(self, screen):
-        pygame.draw.circle(screen, self._color, self.pos_vec, self._radius)
+        pygame.draw.circle(screen, self.rgba, self.world_vec, self._radius)
 
     def radius(self, r: float) -> "Doodle":
         """
@@ -48,12 +48,12 @@ class Rectangle(Doodle):
         self._height = 100
 
     def __repr__(self):
-        return f"Rect(pos={self.pos_vec}, width={self._width}, height={self._height}, parent={self._parent})"
+        return f"Rect(pos={self.world_vec}, width={self._width}, height={self._height}, parent={self._parent})"
 
     def draw(self, screen):
         rect = pygame.Rect(
-            self.x - self._width / 2,
-            self.y - self._height / 2,
+            self.world_x - self._width / 2,
+            self.world_y - self._height / 2,
             self._width,
             self._height,
         )
diff --git a/src/doodles/text.py b/src/doodles/text.py
index 50bb9c0..5f71a4c 100644
--- a/src/doodles/text.py
+++ b/src/doodles/text.py
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ class Text(Doodle):
         return f"Text(pos={self.pos_vec}, text={self._text}, parent={self._parent})"
 
     def draw(self, screen):
-        text_rect = self._rendered.get_rect(center=(self.x, self.y))
+        text_rect = self._rendered.get_rect(center=self.world_vec)
         screen.blit(self._rendered, text_rect)
 
     def text(self, text: str) -> "Doodle":
diff --git a/src/doodles/world.py b/src/doodles/world.py
index 53036b4..b791fff 100644
--- a/src/doodles/world.py
+++ b/src/doodles/world.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 from .color import Color
 import pygame
 
+
 class World:
     """
     This class is a singleton, only one instance should ever exist.
@@ -57,6 +58,7 @@ class World:
             raise ValueError("Can't initialize world twice!")
         pygame.init()
         self.screen = pygame.display.set_mode((world.WIDTH, world.HEIGHT))
+        self.buffer = pygame.Surface((world.WIDTH, world.HEIGHT), pygame.SRCALPHA)
         self.clock = pygame.time.Clock()
         self._elapsed = 0
 
@@ -81,12 +83,12 @@ class World:
             self.tick()
 
         # rendering
-        self.screen.fill(self.background_color)
+        self.buffer.fill((*self.background_color, 255))
         for d in sorted(self._drawables, key=lambda d: d._z_index):
-            d.draw(self.screen)
+            d.draw(self.buffer)
+        self.screen.blit(self.buffer, (0, 0))
         pygame.display.flip()
 
 
 # our singleton instance
 world = World()
-