My wonderful first video camera succumbed to Irene Sunday. I called the delightfully grumpy and competent people at B&H Photo and when I told the salesmen the camera punked out in the rain he said, “well, that was stupid, wasn’t it? It’s not waterproof.” He was right, of course, and yesterday a new Panasonic HDC TM-90 arrived via UPS. It is sharp, and I see how rundown the other one was. I blessed it, thanked it, said goodbye and threw it in the garbage. Then I went out this morning and Simon welcomed the new camera with a good strong bray. Glad to have it back.

Simon welcomes you to Wednesday. Maria and I are heading back into the woods for some hiking and talking and meditating. Lenore and the camera are coming. And my sore legs.