"When health is absent -- wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot manifest, strength cannot fight, wealth becomes useless, and..."

intelligence cannot be applied." I came across this quote from the Greek physician and father of anatomy, whose name was Herophilus. I thought it especially appropriate for what I have been going through the past ten days. No wonder I haven't felt well while training in the gym! In fact, I have not felt well since getting our new bed. I'm an asthmatic and now that all the pieces have come together, I realize it is a phenomenon called "out gassing" from the new bed. Tonight, I negotiated the return and exchange of the bed for one that has no memory foam in it and hope that will solve the problem. In the meantime, I'll continue to sleep down in the basement flat until this bed is gone on Saturday afternoon.

Several high points to my day today, not the least of which was my early birthday present from Leroy -- a Santa Fe weekend retreat with one of the finest group of minds you can imagine, hosted by an old friend whose book on sabbaticals -- whether intentional or unplanned -- is almost done. The dates exactly overlap the New Orleans Jazz Festival, which I will catch another year on another train ride. I really do need this retreat.