Dear Family and Friends,

It continues to be fun to hear from you all and I do want to stay connected. In my “retired schedule” it was so strange to celebrate Ash Wed. in my parish. I’m starting late, but am trying to structure my Lent with some inspiration, prayer and service. I do love the Church year, and it does continue to call me to stay close and walk with the Lord in many ways. You have probably guessed anyhow, my first project will be to re-examine all of my cooking, exercises, and supplements. We have an appointment with Dr. Donald Abrams at UCSF to help look at all of this. When I first saw him I was desperate to put on some weight-starting at about 100 lbs., and continuing to lose. Anyway, I did gain the weight and then some—-so this time we will look at weight and cancer control. I will definitely pass on any new insights. Dr. Abrams is one of the Intergrative Medicine experts out here. For reading I am returning to some old favorites,daily reflections, and esp. Scripture. My meditation, also needs some good focus, and attention. Isn’t it good that we’re never finished.

I know many of you are in the throes of winter weather, and despite Cal. cold, we are having some very sunny, clear winter days. Several friends and I have started a good hiking plan. It is just fun to plan and do some new hikes that we haven’t done before. Ellen will join us, or I’ll go with her. Sarah and Ellen just got home from a month in Patagonia and Argentina. They always do walking’hiking component to their travels. Sarah returned to Denver but we saw Ellen for dinner, Mon., and finally, she was feeling a little tired.

I felt really busy in late Jan. Busy, busy week- colonoscopy, business conference in SF, Salesian, Scripture
study and then I hosted Bunko, with dinner for 12 on Fri. night. The best news is simply that the week went well, and my energy remained really good. That’s my best news for this time.

In this month of the presidents, I hope you all saw Lincoln. Amazing! Spring holds some great art exhibits, and several plays- dramas, and soon the high school basketball playoffs. Will stay in touch. Please continue to keep us in our prayers as we do you.

Love
Annie/Noel