I've been away from blogging for the last 6 months. Last post was Feb. 2012. This doesn't mean that nothing is happening in the preserve. On the contrary there is a great deal of progress to report and much to consider. During this time instead of blogging I was practicing a new role - "grandfathering". I had my first grandchild Benjamin Martin Nieter on Jan 23, 2012 - born to my son Robert and his lovely wife Connie. My grandfather role is a very special joy.
Now that August is drawing to a close I turn my thoughts to the start of a new semester and a new field season. I'll have to see if I can balance field work, academics, administration and family and do each of them well. I may need to sleep a bit less and blog in the middle of the night but if I can I'd like to continue this chronolog.
Since I brought Benjamin into the picture in this post here is one of many pictures of our new addition.
