Charmion, you are a single woman central bank these days, keeping the Canadian economy supple and strong. And I agree with your friend Rose—the mattock, along with the spade fork, are my two favorite garden hand tools. (When it comes to big bills like tuition on the VISA or MC, I pay them that way, then pay the credit card bill in full when it comes due. Same money, but I get some points on the card rewards that way. Advice from my money savvy sister.)

Patty, how is the house and the yard and have you established a room where you can do all of those craft and hobby things, or will it be spread out in the main living area? (I'm still spread out in the den, but in a couple of weeks when two large boxes leave, I intend to finish arranging furniture and moving my eBay stuff out of that living space.)

Keb, are you comfortable with the furniture and bedding in your new apartment? Sorry to read about the paper plates and such in the dining hall, that is such a waste of materials. I'm so stingy here it may take two to three months to go through a roll of paper towels because I mostly use old wash cloths, the tattered dish towels for cleaning and small bathroom hand towels for under the dog water bucket.

Dorothy, did you get any firing of pottery done on this trip? Do you have any of your work in view on your Facebook page?

The humidity shot up this morning and a storm is moving through the region, but it looks like we're on the very bottom edge and I fear we may get only overcast skies, not rain.