Last week I had really good intentions about writing the blog. Honest. But good intentions and the real world often run into each other on the great data ring of life. Much like older networks, I lost some packets and dropped the mess into the bit bucket. My apologies.
Today I would simply like to say I’m thankful. For a lot of things, but first my family, especially my wife. The rest are pretty good as well, and my sister Jean is at the top of that heap. She actually finishes ahead of the dogs lately, and considering how much I love them, she’s obviously very special.
I’m also thankful for Cyndi Lauper and her music. Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, the Bangles, The B-52s – well, for all of the groups from the 80s who make my manual labor putting in the new fence just that much better. I love their work and the memories it brings.
I’m also thankful for my neighbors. Wonderful people. Alex and Gabbie who feed me, Elvis for his help with my tree farm and his fresh eggs, Rafael and Ruth for their help in getting our house finished (Rafael is a wonder with stuff I’m a clod with – like hanging big televisions), and countless others who make sure we survive the move. (It’s still going on, details follow in a few weeks.)
I also want to thank my church family: you all help me get through the week with prayers, companionship, and some darned fine food at gatherings. Someday I’ll actually make something again – I’m a bit behind on calorie contributions.
My thanks also to the Salvation Army for letting me have way too much spiritual enhancement as a volunteer. Every time I show up there, my spiritual life grows and gets better.
I also want to thank all of you who have reviewed one of my audio books or books I’ve authored. If you haven’t yet, thanks in advance – I need reviews more than you can imagine. I’ll even show you how to do it!
Finally, for today, my deepest thanks to Michael DiMercurio, Kerry Nietz, Rabbi Juan Bejarano-Gutierrez, Frank and Charles Hood, and Dana McNeely for the chance to narrate their books in the past two years. They have taught me a great number of things, and increased my range with their fine works. This does not mean I am not grateful to the other authors whom I’ve narrated for, but the last two years have been super busy and wonderful. And, of course, Richard Simmons as my muse and mentor in narrating. At least according to one crabby author. 
