<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><HTML><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2">Hello, Susan, and thanks for gathering our news.<BR>
I have been challenged this summer by a bad bout with Lyme disease (there is a mini-epidemic in Southern Maine at the moment) but thankfully I am on the mend. Being able to administer my own IV antibiotics has meant I have been able to spend time healing on Monhegan, where I usually spend the summer. I have had to close my studio to the public, but I have been painting and writing close to home. The community here has been so generous and loving. I have had the loan of a golf cart to get around, visits from many artist and poet friends, and community sings to sustain the spirit. The rugged beauty of the high cliffs, the deep woods, and surrounding sea sustain me. <BR>
My daughter, Eliza, had her third child in July, a baby girl named Madeline. That brings our total to 9! I guess I should expect exponential growth with 5 children, but math was never my strong suit. We are blessed that two families live nearby in Maine; the others are far-flung, in Charleston, New York, and California. Tom is officially retired, and putting his energy into the Saltwater Institute, offering educational programs in values-centered leadership for small businesses and non-profits. I have helped design the experiential parts of the training that incorporate art materials and poetry to address self-understanding & creativity in entrepreneurship. We have bought a farm west of Kennebunk, where we are raising Rambouillet sheep, and Tom is learning to spin! The land will be saved from development, and be farmed.<BR>
I have two group shows coming up in the fall, one a show of artists' journals at the Center for Maine Contemporary Art, and the other a Peregrine Press (our cooperative fine arts press in Portland) printmaking show at the Saco Museum. I will also be speaking on a panel discussion of collaborative books at the University of Southern Maine in September. Thanks to all who came to my show at the New Britain Museum during reunion. It was great to see you! <BR>
All the best,<BR>
Kate</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2"></FONT><BR><BR><BR>**************<BR>It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here.<BR> (http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)</HTML>