As you can see, our card this year is different: not the usual photo from an exotic foreign environment. We have been reduced to a more local picture of Golden Stars (Bloomeria Crocea) found in the Santa Monica Mountains last April.

   Events this year have been "Medicine Man" oriented. Michael has been grounded from driving for half the year; a new left hip in January, a departing prostate in May, a new right knee in August and its "manipulation" in September! Not to be outdone, Irma, Michael's caretaker through all this, had an encounter with a decaying Los Angeles sidewalk in October and ended up with an inter-articular fracture of the right distal radius (broken wrist). This explains the deviation from the usual hand written letter.

   We have missed all our planned expeditions near and far and have used the television as a very poor substitute.

   We are hoping to visit our friends next year, when good vibes and high energy will replace our interactions with the health care-industry.

   Wishing you peace and joy in the coming year,