Always head toward the light!

It's hard to summarize the last 2-1/2 months. We had some of the most interesting and enjoyable times of our lives interrupted by moments of unexpected darkness. Fortunately, for us anyhow, we are capable of treating sadness with humor and a certain amount of disdain. Being partners who can set aside their individual needs to support the other is the definition of soul-mate. If ever put to the test, I hope I can be as strong and supportive as Jill has been during the last six weeks.

We are delighted to be home with friends and family over the holidays. We are looking forward to a joyous Christmas in McMinnville with Allen's lovely family and a raucous New Year's Eve at our house with friends who still maintain the ability to shed the weighty robes of middle age and act and play like children.

I don't want to over philosophize about the last few weeks and the loss on my hearing, but there are a couple of things worth stating. If I wanted to make a joke out of it I would ask the question... what do John Schwartz and Tiger Woods have in common? The answer is that we both learned how fragile the important things in our lives are and how quickly they can change.  I also learned how wonderful it is to have family and friends when you've been hit by a bus. The offers from my sons and son in-law to put their lives on hold to come and drive El Gato home, to the simple sound of concern in a friend's voice are what keeps one centered during stressful times.

Jill and I wish you happiness and joy, not just during the holidays, but all year long. We hope you have a healthy and prosperous 2010. In March we will resume our adventure, saddling up El Gato for a thorough exploration of Arizona and New Mexico. Oh yeah baby...