This has been a great summer! I just returned from Alaska touring the interior. I never met more incredible women. They homestead, they race in the Iditarod, fly small planes over the "mountain" and many of these women are single or widowed. They decided to move to Alaska for their love of land and animals and they amazed me. What really caught my attention was the simplicity in their lives and the lack of stress. They get up everyday ready to enjoy "hard work." What they don't have to endure is gossip, face time, office politics, and the game playing in business. But don't misunderstand me - they are in business. They run the restaurants, the shops, the tours, the boats, etc. What they have no time for is the "b.s." I took walks up mountains (not Denali - as they natives refer to it as) but smaller mountains, and actually had grizzles's within only a few feet from me. I soon learned how to stand still, ring my "bear bell" and learn to listen to the land and the land would give me the answers. For those of you who know me, you must think I have lost my mind. Not to worry - I am not giving up life on the road staying in fabulous hotels to move to Alaska. What I am doing is starting to take more time to pay attention to the little things in life, and yes, get outside and walk more! So today, the first of September I start my new goal of getting outside to enjoy the sun, rain, warmth or cold of the day - wherever I am I will go for a walk! Enjoy the season of Autumn - a great time to prepare for the end of the year..... Cindy