Blogging has been light recently because of real-life concerns. She [who shall not be named] and I traveled north to the mountains last weekend and have been busy with house things since. A lot of it consists of waiting around for repair men or contractors to call or to arrive, or tracking them down to find out when they will be coming, etc. And, since we're on dialup out here in the high country, that precludes blogging. And then there's moving furniture from room to room, and rewiring, and all that entails. And it's hard to immerse yourself in the blogosphere when there are workmen tromping around and over your house. Those of you who are homeowners know what I'm talking about. Anyhow, things are beginning to settle down and I am able to focus my attention again on the wonderful and frightening things that are going on in the the rest of the world. Some are truly inspiring, others are frightening. These are dramatic times, and for an historian, it just doesn't get any better. Paradigms are crashing down everywhere. It's wonderful.