I simply wanted to assure everyone that aliens have not abducted me, nor have I fallen off the face of this planet. I have simply been besieged by life. For one, the area where I live was hit by two hurricanes within a matter of weeks, resulting in much stress, inconvenience, and discomfort. Two, I have been inundated with student papers to grade since I am juggling several classes, and another consequence of the hurricanes was my getting behind in this duty. So, that said, please know I am trying my best to get caught up so that I will once again be able to devote some time to writing not only my blog but also the next installment of North to Alaska. In fact, I hope to be able to work on one or the other, if not both, this very weekend. That is unless another hurricane decides to zero in on the coast of Louisiana. L