Because so many of you are asking….a quick post to say Michael arrived home last night about 10:45, having completed his test hike and wearing pretty much everything he’d packed. Here’s a few highlights:

• It rained the whole time. He’d lined his backpack with a trash bag and everything inside stayed dry.
• His new sleeping quilt is longer than his tent. As a result, the bottom rubbed against the tent wall, and became wet. (I suggested he sleep in a fetal position next time.)
• New air sleeping pad didn’t hold air as well as he’d like. Time to revisit REi and consult.
• Realized his dinner recipe requires Fritos.

I learned that I shouldn’t text so much just because I figure out he has cell service. Also that I should get SnapChat. (His brother leaked that he was following Mike’s story on the trail.)

With a renewed sense of powerlessness and somewhat urgent need to have a well-oiled pipeline to my Higher Power, I’m off to make a three-day silent women’s (oxymoron?) retreat at Montserrat Jesuit Retreat House in Lake Dallas (https://www.montserratretreat.org/). Its something I’ve wanted to do for 20 years. Now seems like the right time. As I do every day, I will give thanks for each of you, and my remarkable family, who make my life joyful.

Until next week. Namaste.