With flights delayed, my time in the US was extended another 5 weeks. This caused a bit of anxiety as I have cats in China and am now teaching online synchronously. That means teaching at 7 pm EST and sometimes going until after 3 am. I have great people back in my school helping and often have a break where I can get a nap.
I was able to spend more time with Ryan and my brother Ken and sis (SIL). I am grateful for that. It has been some time since I have been back.
Hiking with Ryan on the Rachel Carson trail. Before that I stopped at the Spring Thaw race to say goodbye to my friend Michele. I wanted to run it but I was tired of the cold and I would not be able to do the hike if I had. The hills here are too intense and now at 57 I need to make choices.
Sunni and I traveled to Pittsburgh to go to Phipps Conservatory. We were looking for the butterflies but we are a few months too early. The gardens here are beautiful. The following is a picture dump, but the orchards, bonsai garden, fern garden, and tropical garden are amazing. Smelling the foliage and seeing the great plants always makes me feel lighter. Spending that time with family is priceless.