Blog Update

I just wanted to write an explanation to my faithful readers on why I haven't been active lately with my blog.  Two years ago, my next door neighbor, who was eighty years old at the time, lost his wife due to complications with COPD.  Unable to function with daily life, I watched him spiral into severe depression to the point where he no longer wanted to live.  He and I were neighborly but not what I would call great friends.  I decided to get more involved with him because, after all, isn't that what neighbors used to do many years ago?  I started visiting him every evening to help him with cooking, light chores, but mainly just giving him someone to talk with.  Two years went by with many episodes of doctor, hospital, rehabilitation visits to deal with his COPD.  Over this time period, there were many ups and downs.  We became very good friends after getting to know one another.  My firend recently became very ill with a perforated heart valve and associated infection.  It was too much for his tired body to handle and he passed away in his sleep at the rehabilitation center.  His care pretty much consumed my life for two years but I wouldn't have changed a thing.  He told me on many occasions how much he appreciated my being there for him and that, in itself, was reward enough.  I will now be able to devote more time to publishing my blog and hopefully displaying photos that you enjoy viewing.  Take care.  Tom