I had left at dawn that morning on a bus tour into Amish country (thus no electricity, no media) so was totally unaware of any of the events of the day until the bus was returning us to town near dusk that evening - we noticed lines at gas stations and a sudden increase in traffic. I could feel an ominous dread and gooseflesh rose on my skin. The friend I was touring with turned on her cell phone for the first time that day and checked in to her work (she is a banker) and had a message that told her she must attend to business ASAP. A few minutes later we had to take a detour to get back to where our bus left because the airforce base where we live near had been closed to traffic. I then knew something potentially global in scope had occurred...My husband picked me up and told me about what all had happened on the ride home. He had spent the day glued to the television. I had to view everything many hours later but the shock is still easy to recall. Because September 11 is also the birthdate of my first son 31 years ago - his birthday has a different *feel* to it now. Part of me secretly wishes I could permanently return to Amish country....