As Ahnold said in The Terminator, "I'm Bach."  (a pronunciation guide, not a typo)

Been a while since I last posted and much, much has happened.  Some relatively trivial and local.  Among those items, my old Kia Optima did die and was replaced by a new Hyundai Sonata.  Great looking car and the price was very right.  My requirements for a car are relatively simple: it must take me from point A to point B and I must arrive dry if it is raining, warm if it is cold and cool if it is hot.  I don't want to worry about it breaking down and it should be relatively comfortable.  The Sonata does all that and, as I said, it looks good, too.

I also upgraded my cell phone.  Turned in my old Blackberry and have a brand new Samsung Smart Phone.  It is so darned smart that I feel like an idiot when I try to use it.  I kept getting incoming calls and didn't know how to answer them.  Everything I did resulted in the connection being broken.  Finally, horror of horrors, I decided to "RTFB"  (Read The F....Book).  Simple and now I can answer the phone.  Will wonders never cease.

The holidays were good.  We went to my brother's house for Thanksgiving.  He and my sister-in-law, Beth, had prepared a terrific meal and both their children were there; Mike with his new girl friend and Dorenda, Nick, Amanda and Lauren.  After we finished eating, we all sat around the table and Doug and I told stories of our childhood.  Since I am 8 years older than Doug, most of his stories were about how I picked on him (Bull) and mine were about what a pain he was.  Lots of laughs and generally a good time was had by all.

Christmas was not quite so much fun as without children, it is not as much fun.  We decided not to exchange many gifts, just a few necessities. I got a nice scarf and new belt from Ute and I gave her some equipment to make her gardening hobby easier.  We went to be early as we did on New Year's Eve, too. 

On a more serious note, our country has chosen a path which is sure to lead to bankruptcy and a serious attack on our civil liberties all in the name of protecting us and "for the children".  (That last, "for the children", is the way a con artist goes about stealing our money and liberties and trying to make us feel good about it.  If they really cared for "the children", the pols would work to reduce the deficit, cut entitlements and ease the burden of debt that has already accrued to our children, grandchildren and THEIR progeny.  I am certainly glad I am almost 79 years old and will not have to see the descent of this country from the Greatest Nation in History to third world status.  Are there no men/women like John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and the other of our Founding Fathers who put their lives on the line to make this country free?  No one willing to abide by the New Hampshire state motto "Live Free or Die"?  Are we doomed as a nation?)

My health continues to be a problem.  My myasthenia gravis causes weakness and fatigue.  I am doing physical therapy and it seems to help, but I cannot keep doing that forever.  My therapist has been terrific and will set me up with a program I can do at home.  My biggest problem is walking and balance.  My COPD makes me short of breath with the slightest of exertion and I don't recover as quickly as I once did.  It is hell growing old, but still beats the alternative.

If anyone is still reading this thing, I promise I will do my best to post at least weekly. Stay tuned.  I'm just sayin'.