Dear Sally, It's great to see your posts again on the message board of IAS. We all heard about your terrible ordeal, and I kept thinking what a rotten deal it was for you. I'm hoping the appendicitis didn't completely cancel out the great news from your surgery in Germany. I had an experience last week that made me feel quite close to you: I was at a meeting and two people I didn't know were talking about their weekends. One said that she had been at a beautiful inn in Westport, and then she mentioned Howard Creek Ranch. The other woman said that she had been there many times and that she and her husband just love it and always go there when they get to the coast. I didn't say anything because I HAD been eavesdropping after all; plus, it sounded weird to say, "Well, I sort of know the owner of the inn, but, no, I've never actually met her." I hope to do that someday soon, however. The next time we're on the coast, I'll definitely look you up for a visit. I wish you all the best for a full recovery. Again, it's great to see your posts again. All the best, Ellen Eggers (your ALMOST neighbor from the valley).