Cool and beautiful Autumn has arrived in Houston. Had a great visit last night with a couple of friends that always sharpen me. @Astro_Clay and John Herrington, my Commander on the NEEMO-6 undersea expedition back in 2004. I am so thankful for friends, grace, love, laughter, purpose. I am even thankful for the times of adversity. We hear often that adversity ‘builds character’…I suppose that is true to an extent. I think it is more accurate to say that adversity ‘exposes character’. I read some classic poetry last night, and re-read Robert Frost’s ‘The Road Not Taken’. Thought the poem would go nicely with this photo of a beautiful pathway taken last week on my ‘escape’ back home… The Road Not Taken – by Robert Frost Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim Because it was grassy and wanted wear, Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I marked the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.