I had a big decision to make this week. I was invited to speak at a major national conference in my chosen profession--but it was a direct conflict with one of our big plans for the summer: a ten-day hike through the backcountry of Sequoia/Kings Canyon.

Oh dear. The conference would be a real feather in my cap.

We checked the calendar, and there really was no other time that we could possibly do the hike. And we'd already filed the paperwork for the permit---and it had been accepted.

So I looked long and hard at the calendar, and then at the permit. And then I called them back and explained that I would be delighted to speak at their conference.

Next year.