| Thank you - that I did. Repaired some pants - patched back pockets so that my keys don't fall out. Now I have to fix some holes in the floor of the van so that my feet (or those of my passenger) don't fall out. Like they say - be sure to wear your seatbelt! I think that's going to wait till spring! Darned some socks. Daughter called from the Caribbean, renting a sailboat with friends and scuba diving - for upwards of two months. Was recently laid off and returned to Canada (which included paying off the lien on her recently purchased automobile before she could bring it across the border). Brother called, the retiring farmer in Saskatchewan with whom I spent our first Christmas together in many years. Son (local) and a couple of friends. Will probably go out on the town with son and daughter on her return - in a couple of weeks. Renewed my auto licence and driving licence the day before - after Senior Men's Coffee gathering in church which I attended as a kid (where I sang in choir before voice change). They had a cupcake each, with one candle on top, for another old guy and me whose birthdays are in January. With the increase in consumerism and so many of us feeling more pushed than a few years ago, seems to me that we seniors, many of whom enjoy the privilege of pensions, should do what we can to volunteer in our communities, to help things run more smoothly in our society. With many grandparents living so far away, perhaps some of us can be substitute Grandparents for some local kids. What a great world that we live in! (And - we should take better care of it, not mess it up for our grandkids). With a wider variety of cultural patterns in our community and country as a result of increased immigration in recent years, it is important that we learn of the ways of life that others have followed. I've found that, if one listens when living among people of different cultures, often the way that they do things makes a lot of sense - after all, their forebears have been improving their society for many generations. We need to become more familiar with other religions, as well. Good wishes to you and yours for the days ahead. ole joyful | 
