Where To, Bud?

One sees so many argumentative discussions regarding all the traditional greetings this time of year, doesn't one? So I gave it some....errr.... thought and decided I would just wish all of you, no matter who or where you are: Peace.... And to go with my wish, I'll share with you a few selections of music which I find most restful. They're not necessarily considered "Christmas" music, but I hope you enjoy listening and get some comfort from them: And last but not least, my personal favorite composer: The Maestro!!! Thanks for remembering the animals, unwanted and hungry, with numbered days, and if you can, why not "opt to adopt" a companion from your shelter? I promise you'll get more love, devotion and fun than from any XBox, box of candy, or diamond, no matter how large. So at 5:23 am, from Carrollton, Georgia on the day before Christmas Eve, we wish for you a restful and peaceful weekend! Bill and Dondra

I call him that, because as some of you may remember, Top Cat (the cartoon) was really cool, which made him the leader of his gang of alley cats. Well, Julian isn't only cool, he's very intelligent (hooked up our new wii) and a very polite young man for his age (11). I believe he gets this by going to church every Sunday and participating in all the youth activities there, and that's just fine with his ol "Opa" (me). We did have one serious discussion, a couple of days ago (he's here with us spending a portion of his holiday break): "How's the bullying in your school, kiddo?, I asked him. "What bullying?", he replied, and that made me happy because it leaves him free to study (he makes A's and B's only) plus participate in his soccer (he's got one trophy under his belt already!) without any outside interference. He's also very diligently studying the drum lessons I gave him to learn, and he's in there right now po...

Yup, me. As much as it pains me to say it to you here, after about a month of barely making it to the bathroom, I have now begun to dribble (No, not as in basketball, smarties!). Is my brain "getting the message" too late? This may be the case, according to my research. It could also be due to my neck/cervical problem which has now developed a numb spot in the back of my head. This, as my doctor told me, is one of the attendant effects of the arhtritic problem which they've wanted to fix for a couple of months now, but which I have had to  delay, due to Dondra's health and her inablity to have the same surgery because of her pulmonary hypertension and arrythmias. I wonder if they make Speedo Depends? Gotta run for now. Thanks for remembering the animals! Thanks Bill

....... isn't doing too well these days . As a matter of fact, he's in very poor health indeed, involving his heart and lungs, and he sure could use your thoughts and prayers. If you followed my last bicycle ride for animal welfare, you may remember Marty Neese being a member of my crew, keeping my bike mechanically sound, navigating the way for me, and keeping me focused. He truly is a special person and deserving of all the good vibes he can get. Unfortunately he's not on the net (can't afford the monthly charge), so if you have a message for him, send it here in the comments and I'll print it out and take it to him. About Marty: He is mine and Dondra's "Second Son" and our son Jason's "Brother". Jason is with him as I write this, and today Marty had a cardiac catheterization, and what they found is very bad news. He has a 10% ejection fraction, which means his ventricles are only functioning at 10% of their capacity. Very bad n...