I guess I've been fortunate; my wife agreed that it was important to be home with the kids while they were growing up. She did not work until our youngest was in high school. And even then she only worked part time and she still came home and cooked and cleaned. We both don't work any more and she still does it for the most part, although I do help from time to time and like most men, I'm the official barbecue cook. She's been a terrific wife, mom, grandmother and partner in everything I've done for 35 years now and I can't imagine being with anyone else.

I remind myself of a letter I saw in Dear Abby one time, where someone asked, "What is wrong with me? I would cry at the opening of a new K Mart." :)) The thing about it is, I never cry in my own life...you know how people say they can't stop crying and don't know why. I don't cry. I am fairly stoic about many things, but I cried like a baby when I saw the Budweiser Clydesdales and I used to cry just seeing my daughter marching in a parade when she was in school and when she graduated. I will tear up over a cute baby or a pet. I do get depressed for days over cruelty to animals. Some things I just cannot stand at all. But, I don't usually cry about it. Maybe if I did, I would get over it faster. I dunno.

Like rhome said, any progress is great progress! I'm excited for you - you get to see your sons, choose your stone and maybe see Trailrunner all in one trip. WOO-HOO I hope your boys are with you when you pick out your stone because you are going to be floating on air after you find the right one!! Have fun~

The result of a busy afternoon with a hack-saw. One orange and two guavas out of the way to make room for my new Frederic Mistrals. I know they're modern hybrid teas, but I think they look sufficiently Olde Worlde to mingle nicely with the jelly palm and bananas. Also going to put in a bird of paradise and a frangipani to help screen out the neighbors.