I somehow managed not to post this mornings musings, no loss. Off in the ether somewhere. We're missing Cody too. And dealt with Alex as chipmonk this fall. And then, scrolling down, thru tears, there's the little Happy Wanderer, working on her parks Life List. Have u started her National Park tee shirt collection yet?

Alex moved to Madison this week. He has been planning, and talking about it "soon" but it was sooner than I expected. I am not ready for the empty nest. Everybody, get a chance to peek into Nemo's house: four boys, innumerable computer screens and cables ev erywhere. This big old house and they are all crammed like puppies into one room with enuf electronics to open a store. CDs don't replace the background guitar and sweet singing voice wafting down the stairs. Way too quiet. Way too quiet. But, they are practically next door to Trader Joes! Try the Simmer Sauces. MMMMMM!

Our guys are oblivious to Alex going because there was SNOW this week. Big deep snow with wonderful smells way down under it, deep enuf to swim thru and lots of fresh powder to eat. Naughty toys bury themselves and require digging out, snowbanks crash underweight and boy, this was the best skidding round the corners at full tilt ice yet. Spring is going to be so boring. My big silly black puppies are getting extra hugs. I hope they have lives as full and happy as Cody's. Sounds much like Taran's sudden collapse. There is no option when the time comes and it is so hard to do. Good old dog. What a legacy. Think of all he got to do, all the swims hes had, all the territory he's covered, all the critters he's chased. And he mastered huckleberries! And all the people he got to know.

I have to go coach a basketball game and then call a race, while I bill. Money thru March 12. Woohooo!

I dreamt Thursday nite we got this message about Lucy or Liz (I've never been able to remeber who is who- made for a very blurry subconscious REM play) and it was Cody instead. Good life, Matt. Dignified death. Great memories.

Love to you all,

Maura