My ISP is switching everything over to new equipment on Wednesday, and though they assure me it will be done flawlessly, we'll see. So if things are not working, that's why.

We were at Chris's parent's house in England when we heard the news. We'd just returned from a visit to Sherwood Forest, home of Robin Hood and his Merry Men. I was upstairs, and Chris's mom called up to me, "Cathy, come quickly, something terrible's happened in America."

It was strange being so far away from it all. The news was nonstop about the attacks the whole time. The next day we were in York, at the minster, and a prayer was said and a chapel set aside for people to pray for the victims. We saw American flags. It was surreal, to be driving through the beautiful countryside in Yorkshire, looking at sheep, listening to the radio as the presumed death toll went up and up.

We had no problems with our flight yesterday. We had to be at the airport three hours ahead of time, and they gave us a list of things not allowed in carry-ons: nail clippers, pool cues, etc. Only one carry-on. Everything was mellow. Not too crowded. Our plane was not full. I had an empty seat next to me for the first time I can rememebr in years. I was flying United, and nothing was said in reference to the attacks until we landed, and someone from the crew said something about knowing many of us were afraid to fly, but that we we strong, and united we stand.

I am scared by the "bomb Afghanistan back to the stone ages" rhetoric I hear. I can only hope that we do not act foolishly and that more innocent lives are not taken.

All my sympathy goes out to anyone who lost loved ones in the attacks.