So that's enough heartbreak for you and to have found Machka means you're over it for good! Great to hear of the good fortune of both of you.

Your new work sounds like a world away from the modern day pressures that most of us have to endure. I hope Machka's job is reasonably pressure-free too - though I can't imagine that it would be as nice as yours sounds.

I do hope that your employer has an enlightened respect of pesticide use. Quite often, evironmental policies lag behind emerging epidemiological research. Over the years I've developed a skeptical eye towards claims of safety of many of these products, especially w.r.t the workers most exposed to them in the field. Fortunately we have much more online information about local weather conditions, so it's generally easier to make judgements on when not to apply. Also, there's much more access to information about research being done, making management decisions better informed.

Good luck to both of you! It sounds as if you've both found employment which will allow further two-wheel adventures. We look forward to hearing future installments!