I awoke early and watched some news and I decided that I was jealous? Yes, jealous of all those cities with the early snowfall (: I can't wait until we get some of our own!
Two seasons ago I got to take Virgil out (several different times) in snowfall that was chest high on him. He had such fun leaping and then burying himself in the snow each time he came down. I know that there are a lot of inconveniences that are at times associated with snow... but for me... well, I am not altogether certain there can be too much of the white stuff.
Besides, some of my happiest memories in all of life are associated with this time of year... that is the fall of the year. Anyway, I echo the wonderful words of Sammy Cahn: LET IT SNOW... LET IT SNOW... LET IT SNOW!!!!!!!
MILLENNIUM TRAIL COMPLETE & WHAT'S WITH THE COWBOY HAT?
Saturday October 22, 2011 7:20 pm
First things first. The Millennium Trail at Burnheim Forest is now complete... and for the second time. The first time I hiked the trail was seven months ago today (March 22) and it was a debacle. I'll not rehash old stories other than to say that I did finish the trail but it was in a terrible time. So, for today before starting our hike I told Bob that my goal was to complete the hike in under seven hours. Honestly... six hours and fifty nine minutes and I would have been happy. However, we did better than that!
The last time I only survived the hike. I think I just completed it in March because I was too bull-headed to quit. Yet, today I feel like I actually “conquered” it and now I have something to shoot for the next time I hike the trail. The day I decide to hike the Millennium again I will let you all know the outcome. Before then though I have a 58 mile hike planned with two guys from work the first part of the new year.
According to WikipediA the Knobstone Trail in southern Indiana (the one I am planning for January) is considered a “difficult” hike and many people use that trail to get ready to hike the Appalachian Trail. That, of course, is still my goal and sooner rather than later. On today's hike I was running an idea by Bob that (if it works) would allow me to start the Appalachian in March of 2012. Neither of us know for certain if what I proposed to him would work or not? But, he will mull it over and hopefully come up with a few more ideas and I will try and put them to work and we will see what happens? If things do look like they are working I will give all of you more details as the day approaches. Now, about that hat.
I don't smoke cigars like some men do. I mean, certain men if they have an occasion to celebrate they will light up a stogie. (Red Auerbach of Boston Celtics fame comes to mind.) Anyway I was trying to think of some way to commemorate if I finished in under the time I had set of seven hours. Now, for a teaser. If you want to know why I set as my goal under seven hours... you will just have to look at the archives on my blog and pull up the one I wrote in March of this year (:
So, I told Bob as we were hiking that I had a cowboy hat and if we finished in under seven hours I was going to get my picture wearing that hat (: The picture is taken at a restaurant in Burnheim and we are preparing to eat “veggie wraps.”
Alright... drum roll please: We completed the trail in six hours and fourteen minutes! Yay!!! Also I would like to thank Bob for hiking with me today as he certainly had nothing to prove. In April of this year he actually RAN the trail in four hours... show off!!! (LOL)
One more thing. We passed a total of 13 other people on the trail today... all coming from the opposite way of how we started. There were a total of seven girls and six men in different configurations and groups. The first group we passed were all Asians. We were meeting them at about the 9.5 mile mark for Bob and me: which of course for them would mean that they were only about four miles into their hike with a lot of rugged terrain ahead ): Now, here is the odd thing. There were three men and three girls in that group and as we passed them we noticed how they were all separated on the trail by the space of less than a quarter of a mile. The three men were in the lead and the three girls were behind. I suppose it is just a cultural thing but it appeared as if the men were waiting on no one... apparently, wives and girlfriends be-damned (:
In case it might appear as if the girls might always lag behind the men on this trail I will tell you of one more couple. Ahead of us and approaching quickly were two young people and they were running hard while carrying backpacks. As they passed Bob asked if they were trying to run the whole way? The man... who in this case was several steps behind the girl said, “We are trying to.”
All-in-all other than two achy knees I am no worse for the wear and I just popped another Vicodin (third for the day) and in a little while I will not feel those pains either... ah, the wonders of modern medicine (:
Unbeknown to me until just a few seconds ago Bob took some pictures today and posted it on YouTube (:
According to my counter 140 people read my last blog and they averaged 47 seconds on the page... it was a very short read: this blog will not be like that one (:
Just in case some of you who have turned to this page have a short attention span I want to get to the crux of what I would like for each of you to do and I will recommend three movies for you to watch the very first part of my blog. By doing it this way even if you grow weary reading what I write and don't finish this blog... you will already have what I feel is the most valuable information I am wanting to pass along to you this evening.
The three movies I would like each of you to watch... then encourage your friends and those you love to do the same, are: FAT, SICK, & NEARLY DEAD … FORKS OVER KNIVES … DYING TO HAVE KNOWN. I also believe it would be best to watch them in the same order I typed their titles. Though they are all done by different people each one adds more information and gives credence to the others that came before.
Now, as long as you have read this much... you are free to close this blog and go and find the movies and watch them: because they will give you more and better information than I am capable of writing this evening. However, if you are bored... or if it is too late to find the titles and watch them this evening, then please read on and I will give you my reasons as to why I believe they all have pertinent, and life-saving information in them.
I like writing a blog like I am doing this evening because I think it has appeal to lost and saved people alike. This type of writing is both practical and logical... that is, unless you already have a bias and are unwilling to examine evidence. Of course what I write about this topic tonight is not true only because I believe it to be so. It, like all truths is true simply because it is true. Neither your belief, mine, or anyone else has ever made something true only by believing it to be so. You can believe something to be true till the cows come home... but, if it is untrue it will always remain untrue. And you can disbelieve something for your whole lifetime... yet if it was true, it will still and forever more be true regardless of yours, or my own personal beliefs.
I had a former pastor who often used the axiom, “The proof is in the pudding.” Several centuries ago when Cervantes penned Don Quixote he wrote, “The proof of the pudding is the eating.” I am assuming the phrase my pastor used means the same as the old proverb Cervantes re-quoted. Simply stated this would mean that the “proof” of anything would be the “testing” of it. I mean, someone could say they make a good pudding, but it would have to be put to the test (eaten) to see if their statement was true? With that in mind... I want to give you (my readers) some information I would like you to put to the test. I will do this by asking several questions without providing the answers myself. Yet, the answers are readily available from dozens of different sources online and in your local libraries. Ready... let's have some fun (:
First, this next thought will be believed and accepted by both the lost and saved among us and it is only this: we humans (physiologically) are not much different than the animals around us. And by that I only mean our bodies have many parts that are interchangeable. Surgeons, for decades, have successfully used animal parts in what is called xenotransplantation and humans have thrived with these parts that were once being used by (example) a pig? Fun fact, huh? Anyway, my point is that even some doctors who are lost and unbelieving in God would still recognize that humans bodies are not very different from barnyard animals... and Bible believing Christians also recognize that in the act of creation of all living animals that God made no difference in how He created them either.
For an example... though I personally detest animal testing, for many decades scientists have used a wide variety of animals in lab tests to determine what products and medicines are useful, or helpful, and which ones would cause harm to human beings. Now, logically speaking, if our physical make-ups were not very similar to that of many common barnyard animals, i.e., sheep, goats, rats, pigs, rabbits, etc. then why would these tests continue? The answer is simple. They continue because what will either help, or what hurts animals... will also help, or could hurt human beings as well. Why, because our genetics are so similar.
Anyway, it should be easy to see for believers in God and non-believers alike that animals and man share a lot of the same DNA. So, if that is true and of course it is, then what is good for them as a whole is good for us as well. With that in mind: here are a few questions for you to research.
In the world of animals and on any continent you would care to research... what are the strongest animals on Earth? Once you have found which animals are the strongest... look at their food source. Are they carnivore or herbivore? In other words, do they eat meat as their main source of food, or are they vegetarian?
Then, do this same thing and ask: which animals on Earth are the largest? Then, which animals on Earth are the longest-lived? Finally... at least as well as human beings can measure animal intelligence... which animals on Earth are the most intelligent? (For the last question I have found several sources that consistently list the same group as the “top ten” in animal intelligence.)
So, if the strongest, biggest, longest-lived, and most intelligent (seven out of the ten most intelligent animals listed are vegetarian) are all vegetarians... wouldn't it just make sense that their food source has a great deal to do with their size, length of life, strength, and intelligence?
Also, this holds true for animals in captivity as well. Call your local zoo and tell them that you are curious about something that you have heard... then ask this question. Do the animals in your care that eat meat as their main diet source live longer or shorter lives than those animals at the zoo who eat a plant-based diet?
This same truth also holds true for the worldwide population of human beings. If you go country-by-country you will find (regardless whether or not they have good health-care facilities) that those nations whose people eat predominately plant-based diets outlive their counterparts who eat more meat.
Here is another thing. If meat is a good option for humans to consume, then why is the following a fact. Call the oncology department at either your local hospital or contact a (supposed) world renowned health-care facility and ask them the following question. Is it true that when they have a patient who has been diagnosed with cancer that they remove meat from their diet and encourage them to eat a plant-based diet?
Another question for you (the reader) to research. Which cancers are often referred to as “meat-eating” cancers? In other words doctors believe they are brought on by eating meat.
If you are a Bible believer and you believe that God created humankind in a special and one time act of creation... then you should already know that (according to the Bible) He created all people and animals to be vegetarian and no person or animal ever ate flesh until after the Great Flood. So, at least the first 1,700 years of God's creation all were vegetarian... and lived exceeding long lives! Of course, after His decree … “Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.” (Genesis 9:3) then you can trace that man's life expectancy began to dramatically decrease from the times given before the Flood.
Keep in mind that God does not take a steak and turn it into an apple just because you ask Him to bless your food. Of course, neither does He take water and make it “holy” just because some priest asks Him to do this. Do all of you know what the acronym GIGO means as it relates to computers? It stands for garbage in garbage out. In other words whatever you put into your computer that is what you will get out.
If you put cheap fuel into your car you get poor performance from the engine. In nature it all works the very same way... Remember: YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT! Put the wrong foods into your body and you will get garbage out... at least as it relates to your health.
There is one exceptional line in one of the three movies (I won't tell you which one so you will have to watch all three – lol) where a doctor makes the statement about some people think that eating vegetarian foods is rather extreme. Then he says he thinks extreme is where doctors strip veins from a person's legs, cracks open their chest and sews these veins into the heart for a bypass operation... and all of this brought on courtesy of a meat diet. When you think of it like that... I think he is correct as to which option is the most extreme.
Well, if you read all of this blog you ought to receive some sort of a reward... problem is I don't know who all will have done this and neither would I know what to give to you. Anyway... seriously, would you please take the time to at least watch the three movies I recommended to you and then you can make your own decisions. Also, just to make it up you (my readers) if you will email me and let me know that you have done this... I will also watch any movies you might recommend to me and want me to sit through. I promise I will do that... regardless how boring I might find them to be (:
As an aside, for this has nothing to do with this evening's blog... but, I very much love my little guy who is (as always) patiently laying at my feet as I type this (: If the whole world were to forsake me... he would still be by my side and here for me. I love Virgil (: I have had people come in and out of my life... even friends who are no more... yet, my little man with the sad eyes is always fast by my side... yep, I love Virgil a lot!!!
I got off work tonight at 8:00 and I just looked at the clock on my desk and I saw where I have been typing this for a little more than an hour... I don't type very fast ): Anyway, every little bit as I pause to look at him his eyes are always alert on my face... just watching me. And, in a few seconds when I quit and hit the button to publish... as I am sliding my chair back he will instantly be on his feet and waiting for me to leave the room with him... he's a great boy!
Even though he is much older now Virgil acts very youthful and he still looks great... but the only sad thing about him is I have noticed more recently as I am holding his face and talking to him (usually I am just telling him how much I love him and how faithful he has always been to me) he will start to softly snore as my hand is cupping his chin and he is staring into my eyes. It's cute really that he is falling to sleep as I talk and his eyes are still wide-open. But, it also bothers me because I know he is doing this because he is not so young any more.
Hey... did I happen to ever tell all of you that I really love my little guy, Virgil.
I just got back from a nice long walk with Virgil and he is laying beside me and panting heavily as I type this. It really isn't so warm that it should cause him to pant so hard... but, there were several smells which caught his attention and caused him to strain hard on his harness.
In addition to the great enjoyment I get from taking him with me I am also making sure I will be ready for my hike with Bob on the 22nd of this month. The last time on that trail I only survived it, this time I would like to "conquer" it and in a very good time! At least that is my goal going into this.
I now have found the girl who is going to do my tattoo but I am wanting to wait until my birthday and do it as a present for myself. Of course, depending on if I like it enough I might even post a picture on this blog when it is done?
Well, I am about to leave for work... if you live nearby and read this the weather outside is great! The leaves are turning and everything is really pretty. Get out and enjoy it (:
I am not altogether certain why (after all these years) it would still intrigue me why there are times I write a blog and I get very little or no response and other times I receive several emails. Yet, seldom do I get the response or lack thereof on the blogs that I would find more interesting. I mean, there are times I feel confident that I will receive emails because of something I wrote and I will get nada. Then, with this latest blog (for example) I expect zilch and I get several... go figure (:
To be fair they were all over the place: two wanted to know what else was placed on a trail by me, and why would I do that? The answer: “Sorry” it's personal ): One wanted to know what I thought of the person (today) who upon last seeing her in Louisville in 1990 I described her, as, “... beautiful with raven-black hair.” Today she is still “beautiful” and with any color hair, including grey.
Another one stated because of the last quote I had included, the one from my oldest daughter, they would now do something they had wanted to do for a long time... good for them! Then, there were four who said they never knew I wrote a poem and was it ever published? The second part of that statement is easier to answer than the first... “No.” It was never published and no likelihood it ever would be... you'll find out why as you keep reading (:
The first part is harder to answer because I am not a poet. By definition a poet is “one who is especially gifted in the perception and the expression of the beautiful or lyrical.” Well, that's not me: however, I am not a writer either but that has never stopped me from writing (:
In fact I have written a few poems. One I wrote for a book that will never see the light-of-day. Then, I wrote some that were very personal and could only mean something to the ones they were intended for and could have no broader meaning to anyone else. But, there were two I wrote that were very personal, yet, their application could still be useful to others... perhaps to someone I have never even met. Such as some who have followed this blog for a long time and yet I have never even seen your face or heard your voice.
To understand the first it is only necessary to imagine your life divided into four seasons. Springtime... birth to 20 years old. Summertime would be 21 to 40. Fall would be 41 to 60 years of age, and your winter years (the last season of life) would be 61 to 80 years old. See... I have given each of us a long life upon God's green Earth... 80 years (:
If you would like to know what day and month of life you are in all you have to do is compute your age into days: example, as I write this today October 7, 2011 I am in my 20,418th day of life. For you personally, without knowing your year of birth I can not be 100% exact that 80 years equals 29,220 days (because of leap years) but, it is a very close approximation for most everyone. Anyway, a simple formula shows that I have now lived 69.9 percent of my life and I am now in my 255th day on my 365 day calendar of life. In other words... if one year constitutes a lifetime of 80 years, then, for me today it is September 12th and I am very much enjoying the fall time of my life (: Yet, winter is fast approaching ):
With that understanding I will now post what I first wrote for a dear friend. Before doing that though I want to steal a title from one of my favorite authors. In introducing some of my poetry to this blog I want to use Dr. Hyle's line... please pardon my poetry.
Now:
TIME IS NOT MY FRIEND
There's springtime... so sweet, pure, and clear, Yet it whispers lies which are too distant to hear: E'en as the verdant fields are teeming with life, The lie is believing that there'll never be strife.
Springtime belies that the long winter is past, Yet we know we're mocked for this too won't last: The Blue Jays with their happy songs fill the air, And everything is right, for my darling... who's fair.
There is Chicory, Yarrow, and even Butterfly Weed, And all of this magic is from God's tiniest seeds: The air is redolent with perfume from on high, Mark time, for soon this will disappear with a sigh.
The air is now hot, where have the cool breezes fled? The answer I know, but tis this thought which I dread: Has time marched on while I've frolicked and played? Alas my dear it's true... but be strong and unafraid.
For there's joy in summer... as well as spring, And there is this fact of which I'm not boasting: If a season has past... then I've grown older, Wiser I hope... and both stronger, and bolder.
The smell of fresh cut grass, and a warm summer shower, Things that are wonderful, even as a late-blooming flower: There are many sounds of summer, like children at play, And squeals of delight, as the ice-cream truck makes its way.
The air is now cooler... in the morning and the night, Betimes I'd like to flee, but where to take flight? Another season is now here and dead leaves are falling, Yet life still abounds... great news... my team is calling.
A deafening roar, a chant, and a raucous sound, A stadium is the place where I'll be found: I'll be the girl holding hands with my one true-love, And we'll cheer for our team from high up above.
It's time for sweaters, blankets, and the fireplace glow, I'll hold tightly to my dearest, for together we know: That this too will pass... in but the blink of an eye, Is that a sad thought... perhaps... but I'll not cry.
For I know a truth... still to come is another season, Alas, it's not my favorite and I know well the reason: It's the last stage of life, having lived... now we must die, Therefore, live life to the fullest is what we should try.
Though winter is now here and I'm caught in its icy blast, Is it the cold in my bones making me long for the past? Could it really be true that just three short seasons ago, My life was so much fun... as I hurried... to-and-fro.
Giving no thought to the season, the time, nor the day, We just lived life and loved, ere... it's the only way: Therein lies the great secret and the way to succeed, Just live day-by-day, and never... never concede!
I am now looking forward to that ice and the snow, Because I know it's not to be dreaded... as onward I go: For there are still places to be and much people to see, Snowball fights with loved ones... and stories, told with glee.
As the last snow is falling and there's no more laughter... nor tears, And if God grants a few seconds to look back through the years: As I'm remembering you... here is a truth that is sublime, I'll be counting it all joy to have known you... my friend in time.
(Now you know why this blog is the only place my poetry would ever be “published.” The last poem I will include is for everyone who has ever... “loved and lost.”)
DREAMING
Soft sounds, a sigh... a lover's embrace, Opening my eyes I see my darling's face: Her lips are full and their taste is wine, And I still cannot believe that she is mine.
Her breath is warm and her laughter is sweet, There is no more... now my life is complete: We dance and play... and talk and love, A romance like this must come from above.
What utter happiness, excitement, and bliss, I asked her to marry me and she said, “Yes.” In this life, what good thing have ever I done, That God would grant such joy to a lowly son.
In the distance we hear clapping and ringing, It must be the church bells pealing and singing: Her small hand in mine, we run toward the sound, But, suddenly I'm afraid... of what will be found?
My heart is racing... as I gaze upon her face, Her eyes are so beautiful... and full of such grace: Yet, there is something more in that harried stare, A truth is now dawning... and my soul is laid bare.
The beautiful bells that were so charmingly pealing, Are now blaring, jangling, jarring... and reeling! As before... I bolt upright and come fully awake: Wiping sleep from my eyes, thus begins a familiar ache.
I silence the jangling clock, atop my nightstand table, Yet, in spite of it all, I smile... for I know that I am able: We can still laugh... and love... and play... and scheme, Perhaps not in truth... no... but always in my dreams.
I hurry and dress and begin another hectic day, As I must do what's right, and go on my way; There are promises I have made, which I must keep, Yet tonight, we will love again... as I slumber and sleep!
You can always reach me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com .. the poet: LOL
A week or so ago I received an email from a person I had known many years ago. The last time I saw her in person was in Louisville... I think it was the summer of 1990? Anyway, at that time she was a beautiful young girl with long raven-black hair. In her recent email she talked about having spotted her first grey hair, and that caused me to want to again see my hourglass. But, there was a problem... I no longer had it. That particular device was one of four things I had placed on a trail this past summer. So, yesterday during lunchtime I purchased another one and this morning before sitting down to type this I sat for a while and watched the sands work their inexorable magic as they passed through the ampoule shape of the hourglass. As always I was both amused and frightened by this simple act: amused because it is actually possible to see something as ethereal as time pass... and frightened because the sands on the bottom of the glass fill so very quickly!
The illimitable, silent, never-resting thing called Time, rolling, rushing on, swift, silent, like an all-embracing ocean tide, on which we and all the universe swim like exhalations, like apparitions which are, and then are not... – Thomas Carlyle.
Though I like that quote a lot... the Bible might well state that sentiment the best: James 4:14b – “... For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
As you (the reader) might be able to tell with this writing today I had another restless night and was up at 3:00 am and pondering certain things about life (: My only advice to any of you today comes from a quote my oldest daughter told me about... here is the quote: “Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone!”
About a year ago I wrote a poem and I titled it: Time Is Not My Friend: however, upon further reflection I have learned a new and more damning truth; time... sadly... is no one's friend!
(SATURDAY 11:27 PM --- I AM ADDING SOMETHING NEW BELOW THIS BLOG THAT I WROTE THIS MORNING... PLEASE READ!!!)
I appreciate the three who wrote and told me of their own experiences with their first tattoos and who did them. I also like the idea that each artist was different, yet, each of the three very much liked what they had gotten. From that it appears to me as if there must be a lot of talented artists in the area.
Two of the three who wrote assured me that I will not be able to get only one... evidently this experience must be sort of addicting, (perhaps along the lines of not being able to eat only one potato chip) but I wrote back and assured them that this will certainly be one and done for me! I can't imagine that I will live long enough to again experience anything else that will affect me to the point that I will want to have a tattoo to mark the occasion.
Once I follow through with this I will write a post and tell you of my experience with it and the parlour and artist that I chose.
I will finish this with an update on my biking and tell you of a walk we have this evening. A couple of weeks ago I was talking with a rider who rides with a group from southern Indiana. Typically, whenever I ride I do it alone, but it sounded sort of intriguing for me to ride with a group of dedicated people who also enjoys biking. I promised this person that on their next long outing to call me and I will ride with them. Anyway, as preparation for that long road-trip this past Sunday I rode my farthest to date... 52 miles.
Tonight (after work) we are all walking in an event called “Light The Night.” All those who participate will be raising money and awareness for the Leukemia Foundation. For any who read this blog today and live in close proximity to the Louisville area... it isn't too late to join us (:
11:27 PM -- THIS EVENING AS I ARRIVED AT THE WATERFRONT FOR THE WALK MY PASTOR SAID HE RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM ME TODAY THAT HE KNEW WAS NOT FROM ME. BOB (TAMMY'S HUSBAND) SAID HE ALSO HAD RECEIVED ONE. BOTH KNEW IT WAS NOT FROM ME BECAUSE OF THE APPARENT LINKS THESE EMAILS WERE SENDING THEM TO READ. AFTER I GOT HOME I OPENED MY EMAIL AND I HAD A HALF-PAGE OF RETURNED EMAILS. EVIDENTLY SOMEONE HAD HACKED MY MAIL ACCOUNT AND HAD ACCESSED EVERYONE IN MY MAIL AND HAD BEEN SENDING SPURIOUS EMAILS THAT WERE SUPPOSEDLY FROM ME. AND I SUPPOSE BECAUSE OF THE BLOG I HAVE HAD FOR MANY YEARS I HAD QUITE A LIST OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE WRITTEN OVER THE YEARS. A LOT OF THOSE MUST NO LONGER HAVE THEIR EMAIL ACCOUNTS AND THOSE WERE THE ONES THAT HAD BEEN RETURNED.
I CALLED EACH OF MY DAUGHTERS AND ASKED THEM TO UPLOAD A MESSAGE ONTO FACEBOOK LETTING ANYONE WHO RECEIVES AN EMAIL FROM CLARKMATTHEWS1@AOL.COM (MY ACCOUNT) THAT IT IS NOT FROM ME AND DO NOT OPEN THEM... SIMPLY DELETE.
OTHER THAN TO ANSWER A FEW PEOPLE WHO HAVE RESPONDED TO SOME BLOGS I HAVE WRITTEN I SELDOM EVER SEND ANY EMAILS TO ANYONE. IN FACT, OTHER THEN FOR TONIGHT AFTER I LEARNED WHAT HAPPENED AND THE OCCASIONAL BLOG I WRITE I ALMOST AM NOT ON THE COMPUTER ANY MORE AT ALL. I AM ONLY TRYING TO EXPLAIN THIS IN CASE WHOEVER HAS HACKED ME IS TRYING TO SEND A VIRUS AND I DON'T WANT ANY PERSON WHO KNOWS ME TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THEIR PC'S. I WISH THE FOOLS WHO DO THINGS LIKE THIS WOULD GET A LIFE!!!!!!!
ANYWAY... YOU CAN PRETTY MUCH BELIEVE THAT IF ANYTHING SUPPOSEDLY COMES FROM ME... IT REALLY ISN'T FROM ME BECAUSE I HAVEN'T BEEN WRITING TO ANYONE. I HOPE NONE WHO KNOW ME HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THEIR MAIL BECAUSE OF THIS ):
