Greetings from central Indiana!

Wow, a lot of time has crept in between last post and this one, as well as three more intervening states.  But I have been journaling faithfully.  During this time I have been blessed to have many great reunions With previous benefactors, and and made lots of wine offerings, among various other types. Very gratifying and right in the spirit of this venture.  And speaking of 'spirit' -- it's really felt as if I am being properly looked after, through forces great and small. THANK YOU! -- A sentiment I notice feeling daily, if not hourly at times.

The last entry came at the start of the plains, and it's been agribusiness ever since...  Animal agriculture especially continues to be the very troubling norm.  Have the feed lots expanded?  And is the land devoted to growing animal feed (and ethanol) vaster than ever?  There seems to be growing awareness of plant-based food choices, but as mentioned already, a growing population - both in size and numbers - may be canceling out the gains in nutrition consciousness!   

One can find surprisingly good produce and 'vegan-ish' products in obscure places.  Many folks I've met share a concern about the future of the planet and of humanity.  Can I hold concern (sometimes bordering on despair) and gratitude, together at the same time?  Apparently so.  The other day I woke up to birdsong and a morning cup of tea in a beautiful camping spot at the Indiana Dunes Nat'l Park.  And thought - can't I just be grateful for what we still have?  Instead of obsessing about what is being lost?  Both are important, no doubt.  

I find myself thinking, somewhat cynically,  as I observe acres of construction  happening in some places (commercial, residential and highway infrastructure) - well, burgeoning humanity has to have something to do!  Sadly, there are also many depressed areas falling to bits...  The farther east I get, the older the average age of many structures.  It's interesting and kind of sad to see the contrast between ones that are tidy and beautifully restored, and the ones with peeling paint and hanging shutters (shutters?).  Deferred maintenance!  What about salvaging some boards from those buildings that are listing precariously and ready to fall? This sort of question may have to pass to the next generation...  But I can see lots of potential for the salvage industry.

Better quit now; I'm rambling.