Like all addictions, no one outside can control it. If your father has lived to 91, even with his health problems, and everything else, well, let him smoke. I quit for the 4th and final time about 5 years ago. I still get ticked at people who tell me "Oh, it was just a habit, an addiction - you didn't really enjoy it!" Well, yes I DID enjoy it! And it was your father's money he was spending, as it was mine to spend while I was smoking. He chose to buy cigarettes and smoke them. I agree, it's sad that they come with health issues, and I fully expect to have lung cancer sometime in my future. But when your father started, and when I started THEY WEREN'T DANGEROUS, and they are damned hard to quit. So lighten up. He's really old, and I know he's been a royal PITA. But give up the counting of the money spent. You're probably underestimating by a great deal anyway. And it's gone. And it wasn't yours to begin with.

Mike.. I went to visit over at the Fragrant Forum and I'm still amazed at how big your Gardenia is.. I'm so happy! Mahalo! ;-) K.. You sure do seem to have great information about the 392 Bomb Group!! " The little town I am from was just a wide spot in the road". " The old one lane dirt road that went from Paris, Texas, through Shiloh and headed due west to Bonham and places west.. didn't even widen out where it went through Shiloh.." Reminiscences.. By Bud Guillot Bud talks about that day he was shot down and about being hit by another aircraft and many more details. His mission if captured was to burn the plane.. He didn't have time .. His Two Purple Hearts ( one from this crash..) If you ever get the chance from EW to read this book, you will really enjoy all he has to say about growing up in Texas. His Birthday is in April and I'm planning a trip out to see him for his big " 96th" Birthday. I'm sure some of your friends from Texas will be there as well.. Let me know if you have read his memoirs.. I'd be so thrilled if you had this opportunity .. Thanks again, Please continue to post any pictures and or stories.... Laura Here is one of Buds named cultivar's This is his Saigon Moon

I just saw a play, The Ferryman, in London, so this Miller quote hit home: Well, all the plays that I was trying to write were plays that would grab an audience by the throat and not release them, rather than presenting an emotion which you could observe and walk away from. Arthur Miller

The chief enemy of creativity is 'good' sense. Pablo Picasso Good sense if greatly overrated but it helps one navigate the mundane, without it who knows where one ends up -