I didn't go hiking today

Last week's group while I was in Texas

I arrived back home last night after an uneventful flight and long bus ride from Seattle to Bellingham. Everything was just as it should have been, except for one thing: my nose was running, I was stuffy and sneezing, and I realized at some point that I've got the cold I always seem to catch whenever I'm traveling. Whether it was the stress of the past week or all the hugs and handshakes, it doesn't matter: I'm not feeling well.

While in Texas, I received the above picture in a text from Rita, the photographer, meaning there were eleven intrepid hikers last Thursday when the temperature was well below freezing. I got a really nice email from Peggy, telling me that Fred pulled out his smartphone and read my Thursday post for them when they stopped for a very quick lunch break.

Really, I was so looking forward to hiking with them today, but it just didn't seem like the prudent thing to do, with me probably contagious and not actually willing to be on a day-long hike when I'm feeling like this. I did go to the Y this morning and worked up a sweat, which I hope will help me get over this more quickly.

Because everyone expected me to be there, complete with my usual brownies, I sent an email to Al to let him know I am under the weather. He wrote back with a "you too?" and said he "did trail work with his face," Rita fell and broke her wrist, and another hiker is in the hospital with atrial fibrillation. I am assuming his remark means he fell and banged up his face.

Although it was a very healing experience in many ways, last week was really hard. Being with my siblings and our extended family was wonderful, but I guess it's to be expected that my immune system couldn't keep up with the stress. Every morning I was at my brother's home, I would rise before anyone else, open my laptop and visit my blogging universe while I drank a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

My laptop in the Stewart living room

I took that picture to remind myself of the place I liked to sit in the morning when at my brother's home. He and his wife Phyllis are the salt of the earth, and if I had to be anywhere other than in sunny Florida, or my own home town, it can't be beat. But I do hope I won't be going back there any time soon, unless it's for a joyous occasion.
:-}