I've Been Away . . .

This is my second blog of the 2007-08 season. To warm up, I reviewed the data from Pew Internet and American Life Project: 76% of the bloggers surveyed said they blog to express their life experiences with others. “They want to connect to family and friends and to create a community.” And so I shall—my experiences, mostly as it relates to our basketball community.

As I reported last week, I was away, for three months in Laramie, WY!

I can’t remember anytime I’ve been gone from home that long since I lived for a year in Europe several decades ago. (I was just a young’un then—without a house to care for.) If you want to try a long trip as I did, beware that you have lots of planning before you leave, and lots to catch up on when you return.

It was wonderful to settle into another area; there was so much to enjoy about the beautiful setting of this small, university town. I also enjoyed my work in the Department of Geology and Geophysics. Being away has also given me an excuse for not remembering names, events, etc. too! ("I don't remember his name, I've been away . . .", “I don’t know what happened; I’ve been away . . .”)

But I missed two things: my California friends, and California food.

I was reminded of how much I enjoy the company of my basketball friends at the Wine Tasting last month. It is a special group—some new faces too. Thanks to all the volunteers and basketball staff that made it such a great success. And yesterday! It was great to see so many friends at the first open practice.

The thing about California food is the diversity of restaurants, and produce.

I’ve added another feature to my blog this year—a quiz! Each week when I write a blog, I'll conclude with a question. The answer will appear the following week.

Fun Quiz: List the produce for sale at the first farmer’s market in Laramie on June 22.

Last week's question: When Krista went shopping May 6, the day after we arrived, what did she buy for me?

Answer: A snow storm hit Laramie the night we arrived. By the morning of May 6, there were four inches of snow on my car, and we needed an ice scraper!