Wednesday my sabbatical is over, and this past week I have been scurrying to finish my sabbatical projects on time. I finished the cookbook this afternoon and gave it to a couple of folks to preview. It is a church project– treasured recipes that started with the German settlers here one hundred + years ago. Antelope Alley Publishing (my company) is publishing the book but giving it to the church at cost, making it a fundraiser.

The second project, the confirmation curriculum titled, Faith Eyes, SHOULD be finished in the next few days…or darn close. A curriculum requires so much detailed stuff. The plan is to Beta test it one more time this fall (with adults, who love it too) and then publish.  I won’t have another confirmation-aged group until next summer.

Most everyone knows I have been home all week, but no one has bothered me…they know it’s not time yet. I do miss everyone, and this week I will be back to sermon writing, which I also miss.

Since a sabbatical is also time for some R&R, Tango and I packed dinner and headed up to my favorite trail, along the North Platte River. A Bald Eagle and Great Blue Heron were among our greeters. This trail has benches along the river and even a picnic table, where I ate. We saw several piles of cat scat, which is not surprising. The area has lots of deer and plenty of Junipers for cover. My taser gives me a sense of security in this situation. I read Tango’s cues…he gets skittish if the smells are scary or too near. I forgot my camera. Darn.

We had a beautiful evening. On the way back I scouted out some fall migration camping spots with some tree cover and water nearby.

At home, the electric blanket is set on low, a sure sign that the season is transitioning up here. It won’t be long before I am snuggled in.