How can anyone be depressed when days are as beautiful as those we have been having in Madison this week. I had a long day today, starting in the office with multiple meetings and things to get done, but I carved out some time (walking to and from meetings) to enjoy the wonderful Summer/Fall weather. I sat in the sunshine and ate lunch looking out over lake Mendota. Sailboats were on the water and the temperature was just perfect. This type of day always lifts my spirits. When I left campus a few minute ago, the sun was setting and it was all so picturesque. God has provided some great materials for making me feel better today.

One of the things that I did today was participate in a function for students on campus in one of the residential halls. This hall has a residential learning community program that helps students become part of the University with many different events and programs. Tonight was a dinner for a common read project. Everyone (students, staff and faculty) involved read the book “the Tortilla Curtain” by T. C. Boyle. Then we discussed it over dinner in the resident hall.

It was an interesting book with many things one could discuss with a group of young students. Our table was full of young women and quite interesting. Everyone that sat at the table besides me was a Wisconsin Native. Two other staff (both men) also participated at this table and it was a very good mix. The students were at different levels in their schooling and also their interests. The conversation was stimulating and I feel that I had a chance to work with the young people on campus which I most often do not get to do. It was quite rewarding!

Now, at the end of a long day with thoughts of all the different issues we discussed going through my head, I come to a conclusion I have been getting to quite often. We are very lucky in this country to have what we do. However, we often only look a the materialistic things in our lives and forget to stay in touch with what matters even more. Our friends, our families and our loved ones. Tonight I started on a path to making new friends and I greatly appreciate my friends who have stuck with me all these years. I also greatly appreciate my family. In fact, I find I am much closer to them now than I have ever been and I am very glad that I have had the opportunity to get there.

Overall, it was a wonderful day and I am in high spirits. I plan to stay this way as much as possible. In fact, Scott and I are taking a bit of a road trip this weekend. We are going to Oshkosh (about 1.5 hours) to watch TeamSurvivor race in the Dragon Boat races there. I have taken myself off the roster because of my cough and my energy levels being a bit low, but I am still going to watch and support. It should be an absolutely gorgeous weekend for it. We will be back Saturday night, but just to get away and enjoy the out doors for a while will be a wonderful reward for both of us.

Well, off to rest. I hope that all of you are taking the time to enjoy the life around you. Do not wait to do this. Take advantage of what you have now and enjoy each day to its fullest. Life will never be long enough for any of us to accomplish all we want to do, so make sure that what you do get done is worth doing. Take time to smell the flowers and share them with others. The rest will all work itself out!

- S&S