Hi John….

So much to tell about…so late to do it.  Oh well.  First the sad news.  Well, there is quite a bit of sad news out in the world right now.  I envy you being kept from that.  I remember going to my yoga teacher training and talking a month long break from the world news.  It was nice.

Sad news from the North Korean missile launch…people needlessly killed in Binghamton and Pittsburgh…volcanoes erupting and the ground quaking in Italy.  I think the best comment about the newspaper was that it was a list of prayers.  It feels like that right now.

Sad…but not tragic…Chai is recovering from her third abdominal surgury to remove stones.  She went in Friday and is recovering well.  I am sad that her life will now change.  I am sad that she feels like crap.  She will be required to wear a muzzle outside unless she is on a leash.  There is no alternative.  We cannot let her go through another surgery.  So in my saddness of her loss of freedom I will know she will be safe.  I just always imagined dogs could run free and just be happy.  This is just unbeleivable that it could happen again.  Enough though.  We will keep her safe from herself and that will make us happy.  She can look forward to romping in thick snow next winter without her muzzle.

I cannot even venture into the details of my last Friday.  I am happy for the support of friends to get through that day.  I did spend the weekend in Montreal with friends on another adventure.  That will be discussed later.  I had great fun with Jill, Marcia and Page.  Home was taken care by great friends.

To end on an upbeat note I have some pictures Jen took of Gabe pond skimming.  He and Nate went last and it was cold.  Notice what the spectators were wearing.  Too bad Trevor could not make it.  It looked like a blast.  

The theme was “Woodstock and the 60’s”

Yes Max…this is the wheel chair you left in the garage….it now is spray painted and has Trevor’s old skiis on it.

Gabe…this is where you got those big bruises on the outside of your legs.

It rises up again and goes the rest of the way switch (backwards).

That looks way too cold for me.  They won a pair of socks.  I hear plans on making the wheelchair more adaptable for next year…maybe with snowboards instead of skiis.

Good night my love.  I will fill in the gaps of these days for you later.  For now, I am going to bed.  Much love….diane