October 24, 2007- Cool, sunny. Beautiful. As part of my new project to rejuvenate my tired and tattered spiritual self, I am heading again out into Merck Forest with a dog (I am trying to decide whether to take Izzy or Lenore) for a day of quiet – no phones, cell phones, mail or e-mail. I realized that the farm, a place of peaceful retreat, can be overwhelming. Ironic, isn’t it? I remember Thomas Merton writing that one must renew their spiritual selves constantly, and I am on it. Back in a day or so. Taking two books, my camera and the ipod.