i had a great weekend, drove up way up to carmel valley with my friend christy to mary's family cabin to meet 24 strangers and sleep on the back porch under the stars. felt toasty in my new sleeping bag, with the river talking to me in my sleep and the dew on my face. woke up many times during the night, said hmmm... to myself, (as if eating something yummy) and fell back asleep with my socks against soft cotton.

i drempt of romance, buoyed by recent conversations with cute men with real jobs who know wine and san fransisco.

i swung on a rope over the river, surprised by the strength of muscles in my arms, chickened out on letting go, but wished later that i had. what's a set of wet clothes going to set me back compared to nourishing the adventure inside of me?

this is the "stuff" of life that gives balance. and today i feel thankful for new life that rises out of the ashes.