Well…it sounds like you’re being loved and taken good care of and are touching many lives and vice versa – you’re both exceptional ambassadors for the rest of us! Except for the enormous spiders and all the other venomous beasts Australia visits on its residents and visitors, it sounds like a welcoming place! (Saw this nature show about advances in venom research and if I recall, about 90% of current research being done is on critters found in Australia waters and woodpiles!) So, be careful out there!

What a wonderful opportunity for you both – Ayla studied in Spain for a year and she was forever changed by the immersion into the culture. She definitely has the wanderlust – she and her friend had talked about visiting Australia when her girlfriend returned from a military stint in Iraq, but plans have changed. Her friend is redeployed to South Korea and Australia will have to wait. Life is getting in the way at present and I’m not sure when Ayla will be able to take wing again.

Life in OR is grand – Jim’s garden is a little Eden and we find it difficult to muster enthusiasm for leaving for even the basic necessities like groceries. The birds ate all but two of his cherries and the veggies aren’t quite ready so we do have to leave once in awhile for sustenance.

We’re headed out to O’Dell Lake for a long 4th of July weekend of card and scrabble playing, boating and fishing with Portland buddies. Can’t wait to enjoy the mountains and smells of the forest.

I keep reminding Jim to check your blog and comment, but like Preston, he may be an infrequent commenter! Maybe if I tell him I finally managed a post, he’ll send a word or two! In the meantime, all of our best thoughts are with you both – what a fabulous experience you are having. Can’t wait to see Preston’s musings .

Take care – here’s wishing you lots and lots of company and many, many, many moments to cherish.