Technology is an addiction. This I've clearly realized in the last half dozen days. I'm on vacation in small-town Wisconsin, stunningly beautiful country, and much of it contentedly isolated from modern-day conveniences.

Like Internet access. And cell phone service.

This is the first time my hands have touched a computer keyboard in five days. I stroke the familiar keys with more affection than I suspect is healthy, delighted at our reunion. But my cell phone remains frighteningly still, registering no service provider at all and not so much as half a bar.

This, I understand, is what vacations should be. But how bereft I feel.

Of course, now that I've checked e-mail, I find that nothing earth shattering has happened. My Colorado world continues to turn smoothly without me. My dog and cat are in good hands. I've given notice so my office is already getting used to being without me. Sad to say, this is to some employees' delight. Not to mention mine.

I should relax, go float a lazy river and drink a few Leinenkugels.

Unfortunately, this freelance life means there's work to do. So I'm up this a.m., while my sister and husband - both teachers - are finishing their final days of school, researching and making phone calls with my calling card. It feels ... satisfying.

And I'm blogging, which also fills some strange gap, not to mention alleviating my guilt at not having posted for 10 days.

So here's a mini-update post that I'll continue upon my return home.

My son just awakened, tousle-headed and smiling as he remembers he's still on vacation, hanging with his rarely seen Wisconsin cousins. We are indeed going to float a river today. We'll rent a canoe, take in the spring-into-summer brilliant, lush greenery of early June Wisconsin, eat some more deep-fried food and find one of the many great and abundant cheese shops from which to purchase souveneirs. (spelling?!? no time for that).

We are off, into the humidity. (Which, I must add, wreaks havoc with my hair. Certaintly at least half the reason I moved away). Where the heck is that bug spray anyway?

A happy hump day to you all.