posted June 30, 2004 02:22 PM         

Dave is doing great. The cast was supposed to stay on his arm until August 1. Despite this, he took it off himself about three days ago. I told him, "Look Dave, they said leave it on for another month for a reason. Just leave it." He said, "They don't believe that anyone can heal that fast, but I did, and I'm taking the d*mn thing off." So he soaked it a while and cut it off. It was almost unbelievable. I don't know how many of you here have ever had surgery with a cast covering it, but I have and I've seen lots of others. When the cast comes off, you have angry red scars which eventually fade to white, then thin out. Dave's scars look like they happened years ago. You can barely see them...and his arm looked like it had been through a meat grinder at first! All the ligaments between his left elbow and wrist were severed. Well, you'd never know it now. He has a couple of thin, white, fading scars which look like they could be gone completely by the end of the summer. His fingers work perfectly. He is currently building a rather large stone healing alter on the beach where people can meditate, play music, or just sit and enjoy the beauty. He said he thought is would be theraputic and would be a big thank you to the cosmos in general for giving him back his music.

About the Abydos dig...I got word back that due to the current situation where westerners are being kidnapped in several middle eastern countries, all non-Egyptian personnel for the dig must travel together, both when arriving and leaving. They don't want any of us toddling about in the region without proper local accompaniment. That means no-go for me. I can't really go for two months this fall, plus I would be very uncomfortable going to the middle east right now unless everyone understood that, if I feel it necessary, I am out of there in a heartbeat. If the political situation should calm down a bit and we are allowed to travel individually, I have been told that I am more than welcome to participate. I'll keep you guys updated if anything changes.

All the thinking about going to Egypt gave me the uncontrollable urge to excavate, so I am going off on a dig about 10 days from now. It is an excavation of a native american site from about 2500 years ago (500 BC). It is located on an uninhabited island in the Pacific off the west coast of Vancouver Island. Everyone will live in tents on the beach (with one large tarped off area where the cook will feed us all). Just my type of fun. I probably won't be back until August 1, although my schedule is pretty flexible. I'm taking a camera, so there will be photos for Lindaland upon my return.

Naturally, there is no electricity or computers while living on a beach, so I won't have much access to Lindaland. I'll check in whenever the opportunity presents itself. I am packed with work for the next 10 days until I leave. I have to finish the script for one TV show before I go (its a really cool documentary about the efforts to save the white sturgeon in the upper Columbia River). Still, I should be able to pop in a few times before I go off to dig.

Angelica...if you are reading this, I have a message for you. I don't have time to present it properly here, but look for a thread with your name on it in the next few days.

Juniperb and Trillian...I will miss you. You both brighten my days so much. If you get any odd dream visits from a strange lady doing yoga on a beach, it will be me.

Everyone have a great July!

posted June 30, 2004 03:08 PM         

Have a glorious time out and love, lite and hugs to send you on your way.

Dave is so blessed.

posted July 07, 2004 10:57 AM         

I am delighted and thrilled with your good news--all of it, but especially that your son is doing so incredibly well. He sounds like he is every bit as fascinating as his mother.

Have a glorious time on your dig...can't wait to chat with you again soon, learn more from you... and I look forward to seeing you in my dreams.

posted July 07, 2004 12:05 PM         

Dave is just great. You should see the rock thing he has built on the beach. I'll try to get a picture of it to post when I get back.