I've been here about a week and a half (I'll be here for five weeks in all) already, but I still feel as if I'm recuperating. I arrived here rather exhausted, having spent the previous month teaching creative writing to a bunch of rowdy, energetic, very smart "talented and gifted high school students."

It's nice to see a different part of the country now and then. Watermelon grows down here, as does a leafy vine called Kudzu, and the accents of the locals are intoxicating. The mountains are lovely, especially since I haven't seen any since I was here last year, and I don't have to mow the lawn here. As they say, "Ain't travel broadening."