And we're back . . .

Apologies to my few but loyal readers for this extended delay. I have had a case of the doldrums compounded by the quite busys and the feeling uninspireds. But, now I am back and I am hoping to remain on course without any further delays.

 This past month or so has not been a complete educational black hole.

I learned all about prion diseases (like Kuru, Scarpie and Mad Cow) which are quite scary but very interesting protein diseases with extremely long incubation periods.

I learned (through watching two close friends become first-time moms) that my own mother is an even bigger hero than I previously gave her credit.

 I learned that my grandmother is a crochet genius, who made me this amazing lego blanket in only three days. You can make one too!

I learned that that an orca whale can kill a great white shark. (true story!)

I learned that my chickens are smarter than me and can escape even when I believe the task impossible. Also, they are great excavators.

And, that while escape is easy, something making in back home can be much more challenging. In that case, evidently a BBQ grill is a good substitute perch. (I told her perhaps this was not the best choice - literally or symbolically.)

And that finding a very small chicken in the dark in the middle of the night is not easy.

I learned that my hard work is appreciated by it's target demographic . . .

I also learned that J.K. Rowling is no longer a billionaire due to all of her charitable donations. All the more reason to love her so.

 And that I am my own worst enemy. This final lesson I seek to remedy. Why can I not be my biggest fan? (besides my mother, of course)