He's off!

To which Sandy will probably reply, "We know that, but I love you anyway."

I survived the First Day School presentation, coming out with, I think, more clarity on what the Meeting wants to look into further. And I survived our monthly business meeting at Artisans of Mancos Monday night. Gave my "Sherman" speech about not wishing to be nominated for another term as president and not serving if elected. The meeting went well; I'm just realizing this is something I put out of my mind as much as possible between meetings and just don't want to have that responsibility any longer right now. Maybe again later, but not now.

Off in a little while to travel to D.C. for the annual meeting of the General Committee of Friends Committee on National Legislation, a Quaker lobbying organization. This is my first time attending the meeting, so it's going to be a learning experience. I don't travel much by air any more, so it's been a challenge trying to decide what to pack, what to check, what to carry on, etc. We'll see how it works out. I already know from last time that I need to expect a little more time involved in check-in because of my metal knee.

Last night we listened to a development consultant talk about the planning steps involved in putting a development on the map, whether a 7-11 or housing or whatever. I liked his linear approach ... decide what you want to be and then figure out how to get there. He also wasn't one of those "Damn the county/state/US government for all their regs" kind of people, pointing out that most (85% was the figure he used) of the requirements add value to the property and prevent you from running into dead-ends or liability situations down the road. A practical example being, if you invite people onto your property for commercial purposes, you have to be sure they have safe access, a potty, etc. Good, common sense approach.

So, time to pack up and drive off into the darkness. Weather seems to be okay here and in Denver, where I have a tight connection, so I should have plenty of time to do my homework for the meeting and read more in Al Gore's new book, "Our Choice."

I'm homesick already! tv