During an examination of my eyes this afternoon the optomitrist asked me if I was married or had any children. When I said no on both counts, he replied: "Then you have a pretty stress-free life." I had to admit that I do, at least at this particular point in my life. I just graduated from college with a master's degree in English and Publishing on Saturday, the extension of unemployment benefits has enabled me to complete that degree in an accelerated manner and I have enough of a cushion in savings that I don't need to panic while I step up my job search. I have most definitely been blessed. As I've said before, God is good.

I am the first in my family of seven to earn a college degree and that honor brings with it much expectation. My father left school in the eighth grade, a common thing in his day. Education was not as important as earning a living in the decade preceding WWII. My maternal grandmother only made it through the fifth grade. But what they lacked in formal education they made up for in street smarts and common sense. So I guess it's all a matter of perspective.

I know it's not the ideal situation to lose your job at age 53, but for me it was a new beginning, the start of living for my dreams. I left behind a job where I was rarely appreciated and constantly belittled. On the first day after being laid off I started this blog. With this forum I could work through being forced into early retirement and showcase my talents to my little heart's content without worrying about any negative repercussions. I don't have to please anyone but myself and that freedom is the joy of my life right now.

My sister Effie and I took these photos of the rainbow that appeared after last evening's showers. It wasn't the best of days for a yard sale with the wind gusting up to 50 mph so we quit early in time to see this spectacular natural phenomenon.

This morning it is in the upper 40s with a high reaching only 56 degrees. Tonight promises temperatures in the 30s. Looks like I'll have to cover up those early strawberries, squash and tomatoes. Fine spring weather, wouldn't you say?

Evelyn Thiele

Betty E. Cauler

Happy day has come! The Pennhurst Project Web site is launched at last! There are a couple of bugs to work out yet but the bones of the site are up and running. It's much different than I envisioned—I had to simplify things in order to meet my thesis deadline. Please feel free to check it out and give me your feedback: http://pennhurstproject.com. Let me know what you think of the video snippets as they will form the basis for the longer documentary.

The great news is that now I will graduate on time. My advisor, Rodney Whittenberg, will be showing the trailer at the indie film night at Bryn Mawr Theater on Monday May 3 at 8 p.m. I can't wait to see it on the big screen (and hopefully not be shot down by bad jump cuts or the like!). There's still a lot of work to be done. The sound, especially Roland Johnson's audio interviews, needs work and music has to be added. And we need to shoot way more b-roll. But now the editing is going much faster and things are starting to fall into place.