just a little late

I can't say that the dog ate my home work or that the computer lines were flooded out but my only excuse and/or explanation for the silence of a month is:LIFE. It just got complicated. Kate's foray into the world of high school has continued to be a great experience for her. And by the way for me too. She is making friends, chatting on facebook and texting up a storm. She even has what she calls her 'posse' who move when she moves. She seems to be doing well in school -- thank you Friends Seminary for great preparation -- and enjoying every minute of everything and also trying out for the debate team. We sailed through the Jewish holidays which only confirmed my belief in global warming and unsettled weather. Who ever heard of rain on the Jewish Holidays. That was my first clue that we are coming to end of life as we currently know it.

And during this time I have been ramping down my own involvement in the day to day business of the Museum so that now I am a a two day a week consultant. Quite a glamorous designation I think. It allows me time to do my other projects and also to keep my hand in.

To mark the break between full time staff and world consultant I went out to the West Coast with Arnie who was making a swing through the Pacific Northwest. What gorgeous country with a variety of landscapes and who knew that they had cattle ranches in Washington State. I acknowledge that I am a provincial New Yorker and say it real fast before people can accuse me of a skewed view of life. we drove from the Spokane airport to Republic Washington where we stayed at the KDiamondK ranch which is a lovely laid back family run business. There was only one other person staying at this good size rustic ranch which was built in the early 1960's by the owner. A splendid log cabin with two amazing stone fireplaces which served me well the first day when it did nothing but rain. I curled up in a chair and read and only took a break to answer the call of the chuck wagon and move to the lunch table. Then the second day the weather cleared out a bit and I went out with the owner who was looking fora missing cow. Found the cow. Then we herded their horses up to the corral from the lower pasture and I went riding. That's really a misnomer because what I did was sit carefully on a very docile horse and hold the reins in a very expert way. The whole atmosphere at the ranch was laid back and friendly.Definitely a good place to be. Even on a horse.