Tengo un Pasaporte!

A special delivery came in yesterday's mail: my first passport! It may seem odd to many of you that I've never had one, but the truth is, I haven't traveled outside the US other than visiting Canada, and that was before passport-required days. For years, I was raising kids and trying to scrape by, money-wise, and after that, I was back in school and trying to scrape by, money-wise, and now I'm a part-time college educator and trying to scrape by, money-wise. You see the pattern.

So, why a passport now? I'm at a time in my life when I do want to travel, and if I plan carefully, I can manage it. Big Trip #1 will be to the south of France this summer, where my dear friends (a.k.a. my French kids) Heliette and Arnaud will host a Grey School Conclave-- a magickal gathering of GS faculty and students. This won't be "tourist France"-- this'll be "real France." They live in a centuries-old stone house in Pont-en-Royans (see image, above) at the foot of the Vercors mountains. We'll be exploring the countryside, checking out medieval castles and ruins, studying the land, eating authentic food, and sharing magick-based classes and workshops. I cannot wait!

On another note.... I'm pausing today to remember and honor a man who was as important in my life as any mentor ever has been, and more important than most. My friend and past boss, F. Owen Black, died a week ago yesterday on May 18. Today is his funeral in Colorado. I gave serious thought to trying to attend, but between money and end-of-term grading, it just wasn't possible. Damn that.... My heart goes out to his family today, and my loving memories to him, and if you have a moment, please light a candle for him and for me. FOB, I miss you.  Ex amino....