Had to google myself to find my blog, it has been so long...but now I've found myself!  If only that were true!

While I was in the hot tub, this thought occurred that now seems rather trivial if not utterly stupid, but one of the benefits of taking your house off the market, after not needing to hide your toothbrush every morning, is that it doesn't matter what decrepit piece of clothing resides on top of the built-in but visible laundry basket in the master bedroom closet.

So Michelle Obama is due in Durango this afternoon.  While I am all about her husband continuing to undo the travesties of the last administration, I opted out of trying for one of the free tickets.  She's expected to speak in the gym at Fort Lewis College around 5 and the organizers are asking people to arrive up to four hours early, parking in remote lots with shuttle busses.  All this for an anticipated audience of 3500.  Seems extreme.  All the usual security requirements set down by the TSA will be in effect, with the addition of the dreaded folding chair to the mix.  No water, pepper spray, pointy objects (wonder if that includes pens), etc., ad nauseum.  No books, I think I heard on the radio.  What are you supposed to do for four hours?

I, on the other hand, will be hanging around out of doors at home watching for her plane.  As our house sits on a knoll ten miles north of the airport, it will be fun to watch and wait and maybe get to see a larger-than-normal aircraft arrive.  I'll wave and try not to be naked in the hot tub.

While I'm on the subject, I've been avoiding, but with diminishing success, the temptation to like or, heaven forbid, comment on anyone's political posts on Facebook.  After several status updates of my own asking people who are theoretically my friends to tone down the rancorous rhetoric earlier in the political season, I've felt obligated to refrain from indulging in the same, even via someone else's post.  As we get closer to November, however, I may feel equally obligated to make sure that the wisest pro-PBO pieces get shared as far and wide as possible.  It may well become my extreme pleasure to share Anne Lamott and Philip Turner's excellent posts.  Philip's blog is called The Great Gray Bridge, www.TheGreatGrayBridge.com.  His work is sane and thoughtful, not to mention well written.  Anne is an author and speaker who posts regularly on Facebook.  ("Like" her to receive her posts.)  She is a Christian and a Democrat and her posts are not only smart, but they will make you laugh.  I want to be Anne when I grow up.

I mentioned above that we took our house off the market.  You'd think we'd have gotten the hint months ago, but we are solid evidence that the recovery in the mid-expensive price range has not yet occurred in Durango.  The slow-down was late arriving, so I guess it is reasonable to expect an extension at the other end.  We made a bunch of short-lists in the early fall, but no offers came forth.  Had a showing as recently as last week, but the long gravel driveway put off those Harley-owning buyers.  Be hard to find a house in the county that does not require some exposure to gravel.  (Hello, this is Colorado!)  Just for the record, our driveway is not a problem in any season.  It is intimidating at first, but has turned out to be a non-starter, or non-event, or whichever popular term is most appropriate.  It gets enough sun in the winter at key spots to make even the worst conditions manageable.  Plus we know a guy who will plow it, imagine that!

Here's hoping the weather predicted for Friday and Saturday actually occurs!  We need the moisture and besides, we have a bet that there will be snow in the air at the house by the end of the month!  At least before the arrival of grandchild number 4 in early November!!!