The London effect

Effect or affect?  I admit I had to look it up to be sure but I think I've got it right.  My English department friends can let me know!

So the London trip was great!  We had a wonderful time and I felt soooo good.  I'm not sure if it was the excitement of getting WAY out of the house, being with family  or the (much) cooler weather but I had no problems and kept up with the 4-6 miles of walking each day just fine.  I was tired every evening but so was everyone else! Its almost as if the more I do, the more I feel like I CAN DO.  Like when you have more energy after working out - I'm calling this the London effect.  The flight was long and after Ben cleaned up the third glass of water I spilled in the Chicago airport on what turned into an almost 9 hour layover, we decided traveling with me was like traveling with an 8 year old.  But we survived and got there and back with all our luggage.  I'm hoping the memories of flight delays and standing in line will quickly fade.

At Buckingham Palace

Young and hip - which one is 20?

While there my cousin Zachary turned 20 - he wanted to have a pint at the pub with the "young people" in the family (aka those of us without kids).  He settled for one drink at the hotel bar and then headed out to find his friends while the rest of the 'young hip people' called it a night!  Actually I should give Brad and Frank their props - I think they managed to stay up awhile after that.  But Zachary is now my first or second favorite 1st cousin once removed on that side of the family.  =)

Owen the gardener

Since returning I've been back at the lab for short days. In a couple weeks we take our research students to New Orleans to work at the USDA for a week.  At the end of July we will head to the farm to meet up with Dan,Jean and Owen!  So here is my opportunity to insert a gratuitous picture of my beautiful nephew!  Then football begins, then school and it will be fall already.  I'm enjoying returning to the familiar rhythms of life.

I don't know that this thing is completely beat but the trajectory is positive.  I might not update as frequently, because then I'd have to subject you to more gratuitous pictures of Moab and Owen to fill the space. =)  Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers - whatever we are doing - its working!