Thanks ya'll. I agree Marda, both speak to me. I think part of the reason is that both cultures respect and encourage both self reflection and awareness of others in our lives.

That is a remarkable story Rita. It reaffirms your faith in man. And no thank you Susan- Phoebe's 'Smelly Cat' is not going to sit in my brain all morning. I'm just going to start singing the theme song for Oscar Meyer weiners or some other lovely ditty instead. as she mutters to herself "Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat its' not your fault, it's not your fault" aarg- save me from the refrain! But I am grateful for the time I can spend here. I really am enjoying getting to know everyone and I love reading all the comments from different personalities

Am I grateful today?? About a year ago I had an incident on the highway - hit in the rear by a gravel truck, resulting in the scrapping of the recently acquired '93 Taurus wagon (whimper, whimper). No injury to anyone. Insurance paid about what I'd paid. And about 7 mos. ago ... another. Resulting in substantial damage to my reasonably recently purchased '88 Mazda 323 hatchback. It appeared that I'd run a red light on that one. Again, fortunately, no one injured. My fault, got a ticket - no insurance (I don't carry "Collision" on my old cars). Though it cost more than I'd paid, the Mazda appeared to be well preserved, and in the light of the expense energy-wise, and pollution-wise, plus global warming-wise, of building (20%??) of a new car to replace (20%??) of the life of this car that would be lost were I to have scrapped it, it seemed the responsible thing to do to repair it. A couple of months ago I received a message from the Ministry of Transport informing me that, since I'm over 70 and had been involved in a chargeable accident ... they wanted me to take a vision, written and road test to evaluate my driving capabilities. When I had my physical exam, I noted some difficulty in reading some writing on billboards, so an appointment was made to see the optometrist. Borrowed "Driver's Handbook" explaining driving rules from the library. I checked with the driver test centre, asking about making an appointment for a driving test. Don't do it that way - take vision test, written test, then take driving test ... usually soon after the others. I took vision test ... she asked about my seeing one item ... she said I'd passed. But - I don't have a regular licence, I have one for driving a large, straight truck ... didn't pass that. When I saw optometrist, figured he could give me glasses to enable me to pass. I have cataracts, need to have surgery to replace lenses, can see well then. Cataracts can grow at varying speeds, no earlier test to compare, not sure how long glasses useful, and in any case can't give me any to enable me to pass "D" licence test! So ... setting up evaluation by specialist, optometrist to call me. Thought I'd re-try vision test, using old uncle's glasses - no dice ... must be own prescription. If I pass vision test within a year, can regain my "D" rating licence. And - I've looked high and low ... but can't find "Driver's Handbook"! I have an important trip to make this Sunday, so had decided not take written test yet, as if I fail driving test (assuming I could do it right away after ... maybe same or next day) ... they'd warned me to bring licensed driver with me to test, in case I failed. That would mean no driving anywhere on Sunday. Then ... when I asked how long interval between other tests and driving .. it's a lot quicker in winter, because few want to be tested then ... probably only a couple of weeks wait!!! WHAT??? Deadline when they're to lift my licence is ...Saturday Jan. 19. Yesterday I borrowed a *new* - I'm first borrower - "Driver's Handbook" from County library (it's a reference book - borrowing deadline 7 days). I've thought that I can live here on the farm, 8 miles from village, 15 miles from city, as long as I can drive. Likely just 8 more days to drive! Though it's mild just now, that's January thaw: it's soon going to be cold again. Not good weather for hitch-hiking! I have quite a lot of food here, and may be able to manage till spring, with minimal travel, but ... ... if they cancel my licence next Saturday ... will I be able to drive to take test, a week or so later? This morning the minister at the church where the Romeos (Old Farts' Coffee Hour) meet called to say that they'd found my "Driver's Handbook" in the computer room. I called the Ministry to see whether I can maybe have my licence suspended rather than cancelled, and permission to take driving test ... The guy said that they'll give me an extension to March! I am GRATEFUL!!! I am GRATEFUL today!! How much we depend on the car!!! How much we take our licence for granted!! ole joyful (still joyful ... but sweating rather copiously [even in winter!] for a while, there)

Going to have lunch with my daughter today. I am grateful for what a fine young person she is and how she has blessed my life. She never gave me a moment of trouble and I am so proud of her.