Hey there, guys and gals!

I had a blast at the Democratic National Convention. Worked my butt off, got very little sleep, didn't make it to any of the parties, but it was great to be at the Pepsi Center and Invesco Field ... mile-high and where the action was.

I had a nice little room with the Sisters of St. Joseph, blessings before dinner the first night (I wasn't there for any other dinners), a bit of Merlot at the end of the day and good strong coffee whenever I needed it. Sister Eleanor, principal at a nearby school, filled her free time making alterations on almost every student's uniform so they'd fit right. She has 85 percent of the kids on scholarship. And I tip-tapped away on my new little Asus Eee -- two-pound laptop, runs on Linux, about the size of a paperback book, connects to the web via ethernet or wireless, even has a webcam, although my daughter discovered that after I got home. I bought it slightly used on eBay for about $250.

Crazy thing was that a perfect storm of circumstances arose so that I ended up moving house in the week before and week after the convention. I'm back in my little Cripple Creek area home, two miles high, surrounded by towers of boxes and connecting thru dial-up. I'm in noticeable need of a chiropractor and I seriously need to get organized, but here I am, online with a good cup of coffee and half & half, so all's write with the world.

School starts Monday here since we finally got that school bond past last November and the construction crews are still hard at work making things right. We went to the ice cream social at the grade school yesterday and caught back up with a lot of folks. I really enjoyed the conveniences and mild weather in Colorado Springs -- and the gardens, and the fruit trees, sigh. But Mahryn is psyched to be back here, and in a lot of ways it is good to be back in our home in the hills. It did me good to be down there a while, and it'll do me good to be back here. I feel really peaceful.

Here are my stories from the convention ... not your typical mainstream media approach, of course. Interesting people in all of these stories.

Biden's Catholicism adds to ticket, but raises questions too
http://ncronline3.org/drupal/?q=node/1672

Obama values draw one time Reaganite to Democratic ranks
http://ncronline3.org/drupal/?q=node/1677

Catholics in Denver lobby for peace, common good
http://ncronline3.org/drupal/?q=node/1685

Obama puts 'mutual responsibility' at heart of campaign
http://ncronline3.org/drupal/?q=node/1694

It's good to be home here with y'all. Keep fingers crossed for the server staying on until I get organized and get some bills paid. I think I'm a couple of weeks behind, just because life has been so crazy, but so far the magic is holding.

Love is All,
Maria

You do sound happy and at peace with it all. Welcome back. Glad you had a good time at the convention.

Thanks, Kel!

Hi Maria,

I am so happy to hear that you've moved back to your little Cripple Creek home. You and your daughter must be so thrilled and very happy to be back. I hope you're all settled in and organized now, although maybe not with Mercury now Rx. I'm glad you had a grand time at the Convention too. I see you've been a busy bee these days with all those neat emoticons. I can't wait to try them out.