First things first, but not nessesarily in that order.

There are many things I haven't talked about yet this month and I'm not sure where to start.

The stress I've been having at work hasn't really given me chance to breathe, but I'm taking care of that. Its not just work that stresses me out, its the idea that life won't be any different down the road. Where am I going to go living in a town with only 3 stoplights? Nowhere. That's where.

So, I will be moving to Rochester New York by August. Its going to be a drastic change and my Dad says that it will be a "culture shock". Having lived in an area where people ride their horses through town and the Amish shop at the store regularly; I can imagine moving to a city with more people living in one block than the whole of my small town would be quite a change. However, I need the change. I need the opportunity.

With that Captain Black Jack and I shall be packing our bags (his much fewer than mine) and heading north. To the Land of bumper to bumper traffic and 15ft of snow in 5 seconds. Where I want a few things to happen(Long Term):

1. GED
2. College--Library Science
3. Work at the University or better.
4. Buy a house
5. Meet a man worth talking to
6. Get Jack a larger younger sibling

I want to talk about Litha! Litha was fun this year, I honestly think this is the first we've celebrated it all together. It feels horrible, and though we miss her, things with the coven have been going far smoother and we've done a lot more without Pam telling us what to do or what is "right", however we honored her in our ritual and we did miss her at the festivities. This is the first coven photo we took without her there, but everyone was proud of how we handled the ceremony on our own. Aunt Jennie supervised and gave us confidence. Its the intent, not how perfectly smooth it goes. We laughed and teased each other, but without laughter what is the point? Isn't happiness the best way to show the God and Goddess respect? As long as it feels right, it was done right. We were all so very pleased that day.

I think leaving the coven will truly be the most difficult part of moving away. Who will knock on my door when I need to be comforted? I can always call...but the phone is poor contact compared to the magic we share and the friendship and trust. I'll
always visit and they'll always be my sisters and brothers. They understand my desire to leave, but it hurts them just the same. I want them to continue to work together. I want them to continue to learn and grow. They don't need me to give them direction, they pave their own path through forests of uncertainty. And they know, without a doubt, that I will never be out of reach.

There are many aspects of this life I'm living now that I will miss. The quiet, the streets I know, the people who care for me, the security of feeling safe walking at night...the open space, the trees...I love Pennsylvania. I know that I will come back someday, but hopefully it will be in my golden years, when I can enjoy it for what it is. This is where One retires, or where the Children come back to raise their own families. Not a place for young adults trying to carve their lot in life. When I realized this, I knew I wanted to go somewhere else, but it took me years to gather up the courage. (Or more rather get fed up with the dead end stress and the die hard people set in their ways.)

While I could go on with the reasons for leaving, I want to talk about going the Hazen '09 with A.B.A.T.E. of PA. What a blast! What a Muddy wet mess! It was something I probably won't experience again. Nothing like a Biker Marti Gras! Here are some pictures...nudity free for any impressionable minds out there.