Getting prepared

I haven't written for a while, as Mr. M, Rufus and I have been busy preparing to summit Mt. Everest. I have been spending 7 hours a day walking around the neighborhood with my harmonica strapped to my back to get used to the extra weight. Gradually, I will add a clarinet, a trumpet, a French horn, and eventually a tuba to the weighty brass musical equipment on my back. Rufus, even with no added weight, has been having a hard time walking for 7 hours straight. He always has the option to opt out, but we have already ordered him a customized pair of Uggs with crampons for his podiatrical comfort on the trek. Mr. M and I have also been sleeping on the roof to acclimatize our lungs to the thin air.