In spite of the harsh realities of these days….In spite of beginning and ending my days with hopeful/sad prayers for sanity and peace…In spite of frustrating days urging my community to walk gently on the ravaged earth……this morning is cool and breezy; the lake glistens; the farmer’s market is bustling; we buy fresh bread, tiny tender potatoes, oranges for juice and watermelon, begun with seeds from israel. Our bikes speed through Big Valley, shade dappled roads, quiet broken by tractor cutting hay and dogs barking with desire for our heels. …now off to my Watershed Books, OPEN sign turned and door opened to smells of old books and fresh flowers. Young boys drag their dazed but smiling grandparents into the kids’ room…onward