With the annual bombardment of retail sales, online and in-store, it's easy to overlook the true meaning of the holidays. Good health, family, friends, and general contentment are what we should individually and collectively be thankful for. In addition to those things, I offer a heartfelt thanks to Lee and his crew for this wondrous community they so proudly manage. Thank you also to the many folks I regularly interact with ... Jack, Chuck, Sip, Mike, Rob, Spre, Erich ... to name just a few. Though we maintain our relationships via the electronic medium, know that you would all be welcome at my holiday dinner table.

Thank you, gentlemen. Very best wishes to you and your loved ones for happiness and prosperity.

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I'm with the banned ...

Well said, sir. Happy Thanksgiving!

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

Well put, as I sit here thinking of the craziness of the last couple of years, I feel very fortunate to have the peace I have now.
I developed a degenerative peripheral motor nerve condition that was originally diagnosed as ALS, then later as Multifocal Motor Neuropathy. All the doctors visits, getting zapped with cattle prods by neurologists, treatments and dealing with the criminals at the insurance company. We finally had to contact the Department of Labor to get the insurance company to cover my treatments.
I have a wonderful wife that helped me through it all.
Yeah, I lost a lot of income when I had to go on disability but if we can hold out for another 8 months or so when the mortgage is paid off we should be alright and my wife's working as a home health care aid right here in town.
Right now I'm sittin' at my spot on the sofa, my wife's nappin' beside me, one cat's curled up in a chair napping, the others napping on the carpet and there's a nice low fire in the fireplace.
Through all this craziness, I had this forum and all these great guys and gals to hang out with.
I'm a very lucky man indeed with a lot to be thankful for.