Day 352: Getting ready

After finally decorating the tree last night, we completed serious shopping and wrapping today to prepare for our kids' return this weekend.  We paused for a bite to eat in the food court at the McKinley Mall and a tv was focused on the funerals of Jack and Noah, age 6, of Sandy Hook, and the tears flowed again.  The pain and anguish of the families, friends, teachers and first responders in Sandy Hook are unimaginable, but the entire nation is sharing in the agony.  The President's response last night was more prayer than speech and I could see pain, regret and resolve in his face.   I hope that with  collective reflection progress can finally be made in banning assault weapons and high capacity ammunition clips.

The tiny backpacker

Our friend Donna arrived at our door this morning with an amazing bit of information on Fredonia backpacking.  She found a newspaper clipping and photo of Dave and 8th grade backpackers taken in June of 1974!  We had thought Atlantis began in 1975, but now we have evidence of an earlier hike.  Time to talk to the Gilmans and then revise the history chapter.