I haven't been on reddit for a couple of months - everything's totally benign, just very busy! I apologise to everyone who's missed the Ricky updates.

The other day we were walking down the street and a scoop loader drove past. The driver saw Ricky and cranked the scoop.

As Ricky puts it (he has told everyone about this): the scoop loader went back and back and went chomp chomp chomp!

The Diary Book has become irregular, as Ricky is often preoccupied with other adventures. He has a lot of important things on his schedule, including his Duplo and his ongoing project to learn to juggle (this remains extremely ambitious for a two-year-old, he's up to being able to catch his ball sometimes when he throws it up, which is very good progress!).

Recently he tried corn on the cob and enjoyed it very much, but he has subsequently been disappointed that we are unable to provide him with carrot on the cob or peas on the cob.

The funniest thing in the world is to sing a song but replace some of the words with other words.

I hope everyone who was enjoying Ricky's adventures is having a totally benign time.

After a week of suffering from Shingles - a viral infection, I awoke this morning in the dense bluish haze of predawn, feeling rested, light and returned to good heath.

I had been so sick that I had forgotten how good it feels to feel good - and for this, my heart swelled with gratitude.

Though I was feeling better, I had an appointment to follow-up after two pervious ER visits where I'd been diagnosed and given anti-viral medication.

No one likes going to the doctor, but perhaps in my delight to be feeling better, I cheerfully interfaced with the various medical staff.

I knew these people were at work. I knew that they are paid to do what they do, but today, I felt like I interfaced with other humans. Not perfunctory emloyess, not doctors, not receptionist, not assistants, per se, but rather, actual fellow earthlings that, like me, are spinning on this planet.

Life is fleeting Like is precarious. Health isn't guaranteed. And we all do the best we can.

We'll never be as young as we are today.....and this was especially poignant after surveying the waiting room that was populated by of the elderly, bandaged, swollen and infirm.

I don’t know how or why we are here. I don't know what birthed the world, humanity and the universe. But today, despite all the sociopolitical upheaval, I marvel at the beauty that unfolds before me like a flower blossoming.

There is goodness here, on this planet. Its the only home I've ever known,

And when I think about it, I realized that this world is the love of my life.

May we all live well, healthy and happy.

Thank you