Back home for the holidays!

Reached Toronto via various interstates where the speed limit appeared to be a 'suggestion'.  Curious why both the US & Canada don't just increase the rate (but I suppose the habit of going 10 above the limit... would follow).  Our new old Toyota Corolla "as fun to drive as a washing machine" lived up to its stereotype and we arrived with no incidents, having left Boston early enough to miss the winter storm that hit several hours later.  Maya was buckled in with a doggie seatbelt that keeps her in one place but with enough room to lie down or sit up as she likes.  She only properly fell off the seat once - and never again!

Nice news is Steph's accustomed to driving automatic now - though the 9 1/2 hour drive was thanks to me, and my sore butt - cars are not comfortable after that much time!

So far have managed to catch up with a few friends and Maya finally met Denise's dog Tucker.  The family is well and looking forward to seeing the rest of the family when they arrive. 

Other good news of note, the Sunyata Retreat Centre is LIVE and open for donations (http://www.sunyatacentre.org/donate).  They're a beautiful retreat centre in County Clare, just outside sixmilebridge in Ireland and I for one think they're worth donating to.  I'd be sad to see them shut down for lack of funding as they're trying to upgrade some old farm houses to be warm and comfortable for people attending retreats.