Sept. 15th, My birthday.  I didn't feel much like celebrating for all the reasons you can imagine.  I mentioned to my wife that I wasn't really thrilled about turning 48.  She said "48?  I don't think so."  Sure enough I was turning 47.  A really special birthday.  I got a year younger!

My granddaughters, all 3 of them.  Each of them is special and each provide all of our family with reasons to be uplifted.  My youngest grand "rug rat" was following our cat, Ralphy, around the house the other day.  He walked into the master bathroom to check to see if there was water in the shower.  The "rug rat" wanted to know what he was doing in there.  I told her "He likes to drink in the shower" She looked puzzled and then asked "but grandpa, how does he turn it on?"

Muscle Machines.  Are these the coolest diecast or what? Of course I LOVE the Mustangs.  Both versions, the blown motors and the cowl hoods.  If I get a bit down I just grab one of my open cars and check out it's outrageous detailing.  Makes me smile every time.  Besides, I just found my first 57 Chev Muscle Machine today, ripped that sucker open and put it on the shelf with the other open Muscle Machines.  Just WAY too COOL!!

American Optimism.  My youngest daughter was watching TV the other day.  It was a broadcast about how the people who hate America are rejoicing in the Americans now living in terror.  The broadcast showed Terrorist groups in Afghanistan ducking into foxholes and pulling dirt in over their heads every time a plane flew overhead.  She observed.  I'm sitting in my living room on my couch in my shorts and t-shirt, sipping a Coke, watching a TV show about people diving into the dirt and I'M the one LIVING in TERROR?"

The Yankee's LOST the series!!  Reason enough for a Mariners fan to rejoice EVERY TIME.  Although I wish Randy Johnson hadn't been on the winning club.  Oh well, got to take the bad with the good.

And finally, my wife.  She puts up with me.  She is strong.  She let's me be strong for her.  She accepts me when I can't be strong. She is never wrong, even when she is.  She allows me to be right, even when I'm not.  She works at least as hard as I do, and still does most of the cooking.  (Well, we would live off canned food if I did most of the cooking) She loves me as I am, particularly since she has spent the last 16 years making me this way.  She is possibly the smartest person I know and she STILL can't program the VCR.  The granddaughters adore her, her children depend on her, even after all these years, and I can't imagine living without her.  I can only be thankful she wasn't where the terrorists hit, can only pray she won't be where they hit next, and I can only cry for those who were not so lucky as I.

Count your blessings, if you're able.  Love, ROCK