God truly does watch over fools.  The hikers? Turns out there were three of them.  The Vermont State Police had a local store owner open his store, give them three pairs of boots in the hikers' sizes and then someone drove the boots back up the mountain and hiked them in to the shelter where the hikers were.  Seems the VSP didn't want them to put their frozen boots back on their feet.  Who says we don't know how to be hospitable in this state?

I am now down four point six pounds thanks to my diligent work with WW.  I'm using their e-tools as well as the meeting.  So far I'm consistently taking care of myself in the arena of food.  This bodes well, for today at least.  I'm thinking I'll hit my first five pounds off next week, if I continue to exercise some discipline over myself.  One day at a time.

Beloved Firstborn has e-mailed from Guatemala.  He sounds well and happy.  I'm happy for him.  Happier still that he is staying in touch.  Boy Wonder leaves for Purchase tomorrow.  He doesn't have a ride- yet- I'm hoping Tristan will be in touch with him soon.  Otherwise, I think it's the train for him.

I am extremely excited, positively quivering in anticipation that the Shelburne Museum will be home to a Georgia O'Keefe collection for a few brief months.  My favorite place on the museum campus is the Webb gallery.  I am so looking forward to drinking in some art when the show makes it's way here.  The Webb gallery has some beautiful Dutch Masters paintings there.  I've been known to sit there, gazing for as long as my family will tolerate.  This time I think I'll go with a real, live grown-up.  Any takers?

In the world of balance and center, I'm still closer to center than I've been in a while, but I've drifted a bit here and there.  Some of the drift is due to fear that tomorrow's triad of womanly procedures may not go as smoothly as one would wish.  I am not so keen to be in an OR as I've had more than my share with my knees.  Conversely, I am more motivated to stop the bleeding that seems to be a way of life these last three years, and so I will see it through.  Send some prayer for a smooth and safe surgery and ease of recovery, please.

The sun is shining, the wind is down and it is time to spend time with the trees.

Blessings abound