This morning, I woke up early, made a cup of tea, and headed out to my hill with a bunch of dogs I belong to. I hadn't seen my hill or my tree for 10 days and I ached to see it. I wandered up it slower than usual and took the "scenic route" savoring the extended version of a hike I never take for granted, but sometimes am forced to rush.

Last week I got quite sick and was not able to leave my bed for almost 5 full days/nights. I think I was probably fighting off something real, but the fatigue and deep exhaustion of many months in all likelihood was the biggest catalyst. My whole everything just didn't want to fight it. The sleep (between bouts of diarrhea and cold sweats) was deep; I didn't hear any of the life that continued to purr along around me. My recovery has been steady, if not a little slow.

So, I felt the shaking in my knees as I walked this morning, but it was couple with sheer exhilaration. I went appropriately slowly, and I don't think I missed a single wildflower. My mind felt clear and refreshed upon my descent from my tree.

I have not written copious entries in the past several months, but I have a lot percolating in my head, so I intend to write more in the coming weeks to make up for what I have ignored. We have entered a new season and I intend for this season to include rest, many wanderings through the places where I find myself and commune with my Creator, and yes... the pursuit of adventures which undoubtedly await us.

In the past weeks, we have overcome disappointments, wrestled the forces of nature, succeeded when we should have failed, found inexplicable joy, accomplished what should have been impossible and been witness to the miraculous. I promise a more detailed account of our (mis)adventures in the coming entries.