Happy Birthday to Me!

Long time no posts but thought that today might be a good day for a brief update. Somehow it seems like every birthday from here on out will have a heightened meaning..."I'm still here!" Not a thought I had ever really considered much before this past year and not one I really dwell on but it does put things into perspective. I have been feeling great of late ('though my still reduced white count seems to make more susceptible to pollen and other allergens) and had a good trip to the BWCA a couple weeks ago. Our biggest concerns at the moment center on jobs. In April, it looked virtually certain that I would be back at BSU in a one-year fixed term position. Based on that understanding, Lenore put in for an unpaid leave for the next school (to finish her Masters and to further develop our on-line cape business). Now, unfortunately, it isn't at all clear what is going on with BSU and so we're feeling some building anxiety about health insurance (long story with still obscure plot lines). It may still be possible for Lenore to retract her leave request if necessary but even that isn't clear. Some decision on my prospects may come as early as tomorrow and good news there would be the best birthday present I could hope to receive. I'll post another update as soon as I have any news./dps

P.S. Here's a photo of James' first northern pike which he caught last week...he also has caught six perch and a couple giant rock bass off our dock.