joyous, joyous morning. Dan Zanes 'sit at the welcome table' blaring from the ipod, me dumping coffee grounds in the compost brought on a happy memory. 11 summers ago, being up at the barn at Stratford, 14 or so species singing for their breakfast, and Ben singing 'all God's creatures got a place in the choir.'

Today's joy: rubbing "the sleep" out of Georgia's legs, The way Stella's lips pucker out like a beak when she stretches to wake up, my co-workers : 30 women, no secrets.

Read some Buddhist book last night. Take home message: Mature spirituality embraces adversity as an opportunity for growth