I miss our walks, too. Even if we didn’t talk specifically about our work, we talked about other things that seeped around the edges of our work. That fresh air, those hills, the animals . . . hard to duplicate it at home where I walk alone. Already can’t wait for next summer!

I’m *sure* the skunks have my number! And I love animals! I miss being on campus already. But it’s good to be home, and working again. Full steam ahead!

Thanks, as always, for dropping by!

I’m glad the girl came out of the shadows and spoke to you. Magical!

After two and one half years in a battle zone, you needed all the things you received at Hollins. Walks, talks, nature, solitude and being engulfed in a group of you peers.

Watch out for Skunks. I think they have your number.

We often started walking even earlier. I got up, made my bed, and dressed. Claudia and Elizabeth both ate or drank something before the hike. At home I run/walk and can only do it on an empty stomach, so I’m used to going for two hours of walking with no more than a sip of water.

I remember you were an evening walker . . . it was too hot in the evenings for me to walk (though this summer was very pleasant!). Hope you’re feeling much better!

Oh, yeah, there’s a junkyard. You’re kind about the photos–animal pictures are hard to take with a point-and-shoot.

I miss our class, too! And I’ve already bought two more books on illustrators. Next time I teach the class, I’ll subtitle it: “Open Your Wallets.”

Maybe the skunks were *too* friendly? But the one that raised his tail at me definitely meant business.

I hope your daughter had a beautiful wedding day!

PS I’ve found those Hollins skunks to be very friendly.

I loved the skunks, too, from the safety of a window! I think those were young skunks–all young animals are kind of bumbling and unsure of themselves. Maybe they thought I was their mother! They run much faster than you think–and so did I.

Those kids do have an air of mystery, the way they’ve come into my head like silhouettes. I could draw them on black paper and cut them out, almost. I’m letting them lead me, for once. The girl is named Cuss, short for Custis. She takes no prisoners. Email answer coming soon!