Folks have requested a summer summary, fearing that they missed a piece of the puzzle along the way.

The quickest possible review would be simply this:

Mouse graduated and completely moved out, leaving the nest empty except for the adorable dog, who really doesn't care where he lives as long as he has a big bed and someone to love him. Flying headlong on the wings of three unbelievably wonderful professionals, I sold the homestead, bought a nest - and moved - in a span of less than six weeks. I also moved zip codes, which confused even many of the most meticulous faithful Constant Readers.

To review:

A. I did not get married.

B. I did not leave, nor do I intend to leave, the paper.

C. People who drive UNDER the posted speed limit on Highway 20/26 between 7 and 8 a.m., or 5 and 6 p.m., are annoying - very.

Many folks who know of my work through Cookin' or Talkin' or Eatin' think that I should be able to work from home.

Actually, that tiny portion of what I do could perhaps be done from home, but I'm not certain that I'd ever want to "telecommute."

I did that once, when I edited the Wyoming Catholic Register back in the early 1980s, as a newlywed and later, as a brand-new, first-time mom.

Don't get me wrong, I was grateful for the chance to work and be home with my baby. But now, I'm certain that I would miss the personal interaction way too much.

I mean, I talk to the dog all of the time, but he's not great in the conversation department.

Just the other day, I did a book signing at a great Casper small business. Folks would come in, and they'd buy a book and I'd sign it, and then we'd just keep chatting.

The co-worker whom I've dubbed "the handler," because she handles the book finances and me when I get out of control, looked at me during one brief break and asked, "Do you just know everybody?"

Over the past weeks, as a proud member of our editorial board, I've been privileged to chat with folks taking the time and effort to run for elected office, from local to federal. And the best parts are not their answers to questions, but rather the informal chats that take place before the questioning begins and after it's over.

There are some very cool people around here, many I already knew and many I had never before met.

Also in the last little while, I've tried twice to secure service assistance online. Both times, I failed miserably, but both times, typing my crises into the "contact us" field resulted in human beings calling and readily giving assistance.

Peggy Jane the Mom swears she doesn't need a computer, as long as she has her telephone and mail-order companies continue to take her orders on the telephone. I think she has something there.

In the aisles at the big box where I rarely shop these days, at the checkout at my new neighborhood grocery store where I seemingly am twice a day, it's all about connecting.

And as we hear about our investments and our retirements and our revolving lines of credit, isn't it great to be able to ask "How are you?" and have someone respond.

Reach community news editor Sally Ann Shurmur at (307) 266-0520 or sallyann.shurmur@trib.com