Okay, let's wrap this year up and get to bed...

Don't think that will happen too soon, but soon enough. My wife is out praying the old year away, thankful for many blessings and asking for those that need a few more special ones. I got the email, my sister is a grandmother again - another boy, Garrett Michael, 8 pounds 8 oz, 20 1/2 inches long. I could find remembering his birthday easier than I do his two brothers. That makes my sister and brother-in-law too grandparent-like for hanging around with, but they are both better people than I and I could love them, but I am a guy and you know that wouldn't work...

I worked today, some great work with the crew, some great response to my supervisors that try to keep me from failing to perform, sigh, they have so much to worry about. I have closed last (2008) years statistics down and am prepared to record the circulation and important stuff we will be doing in 2009, provided the folks with the big bucks and responsibility have enough money to keep a prison library open. The possibility of budget shortfalls make the rumors fly that many of the inmates will be getting out earlier - only a rumor. The slick inmate that tried to walk out of the prison and onto a ferry boat a couple nights ago, is still the subject of conversation. Seems someone hadn't locked a door, and he got out of the fenced area through two total control areas without an ID badge, on the dock waiting for the ferry in a crowd of visitors his state issued shoes called undo attention to himself - and he was busted. I have always been aware of the difference between the truth and the published account - having been rescued from a burning home that I walked out alone from... still it was an embarrassing moment for Department of Corrections. An extra five years for trying is normal.

I have to make another pot of coffee, the Blues are blasting through the home, and I am alone - where are all those lovely lonely women that I read about -- actually I am reading Breakout and you might understand where part of my problem with military dreams comes from, but this book makes the last couple of snow days into big nothing... very big nothing. I don't have trouble with military dreams, stopped hitting my wife in the middle seventies as I got farther from Vietnam - in my sleep, folks.

Well, it will be a great year next, for me and for thee. More motorcycling (safely), more shooting well, and helping others get over being afraid of the gun and the gunny (not that Gunny ever cared about being loved - fear worked well when in a hurry). Fresh coffee and Blues without commercial interruption, thinking good stuff. You know what Country music is? Blues with a twang. You know what Gospel is? Blues with the certainty of Divine intervention. You know what Heavy Metal is? music that didn't get me here... ah, well, probably can't hear its frequency. Sixty-one going on forget-about-it. Do have a great year, God loves ya, and the world is beautiful when viewed properly... look at the Universe outside geopolitical boundaries - it is awesome.