CapriUni...thanks for the oxytocin input...i've read the articles, but have never heard the nifty "tend and befriend" phrase, which sums it up nicely.

Genie...it IS a drag having to check in with someone every day, and if it weren't for the dogs I'd probably do a bi-wkly thing. I'm not a recluse by any means, but live far out in the country so often days go by without my seeing anybody, and am very fine with that, like my privacy and freedom.

The other thing I've done is to get a cell phone. I hated to spend the money as I cant really afford it, but then I can't really afford insurance either, yet hope I'll never have to use it...same with cell phone. I take it with me when I am working down by the snakey river, when I'm working on the tractor, and when I drive into town. I also have a list of friends/neighbors numbers taped to the case I keep the phone in, so I, or somebody else, as at the scene of an accident, can easily get in touch.