I had been meaning to do this since Monday, my wife's birthday, when we learned I am fatally ill with adenocarcinoma which has metastisized (sp?-I hate the word so I'll mispell it) to my liver. I go to Seattle for a second opinion probably towards the end of the month. DIAGNOSIS: one year. Bad news like that tends to put things in perspective, tends to remind us of what is important, how we do have little time, and it's never a good idea to disconnect to prove anything. Now most of that applies to me except for perspective; as we all know the sine qua non of my writing is I KEEP NOTHING IN PERSPECTIVE, AM CONSTANTLY ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THE SLIGHTEST THING WHICH WE PISS ME OFF AND THUS LEAD TO RANTS AND RAGES BY TURNS FUNNY, INSCRUTABLE AND JUST PLAIN OLD BARE KNUCKLE OFF THE WALL.

BTW I have been commenting at hookingupsmart.com and theprivateman.com; hook even dedicated an article to me, in fact both did (privateman did too). So if you like a taste of what I been a doing check them out. I really tore the roof off hook; those Bostonians just couldnt' get used to me (ref "Jeremiah Johnson" Will Geer's character telling him about a pal who had a grizzly for a wife but 'she never got used to him)

Gotta' take things slow and would love to respond to each of you who were so kind in your expressions of support.I'm already up past my bedtime; I need oxycodone and it takes the starch out of me. I lose focus easily and it also affects my typing which is the hallmark of my journalistic contribution here such that my high standards have been immortalized.

BTW Toots and I have been corresponding a lot. What a guy.

Bedtime now; I'll try to get back on line tomorrow. Love to all

Tom

P S

I'm tvmunson over at the other sites; I was here too. I forgot m password and it didn't recognize my hotmail account; I hit facebook and here I am. Will wonders never cease?