My right eye has to work twice as hard to get the good grades that my
left eye gets.  Some time ago, I bought a cheap-o pair of reading
glasses from Building 19-and-some-fraction because it was getting
harder to do my crossword puzzles.  Three-dollar glasses reenabled my
ability to decode the "4-letter word for sea eagle," but eventually I
needed to come to grips with being able to get some vision assistence 
outside of the bathroom.

I know that some other people my age are reluctant to admit to some of
the artifacts of the procession of generations (aging), but since I
stare at a computer screen all day long, wisdom must prevail over
vanity.  I accompanied my younguns (Emily and Andrew) to the eye
doctor last Thursday and judiciously ordered some prescription reading
glasses for those short distances and small fonts. (My distance vision
is just fine, thank you very much!)

New England is getting some mild weather presently, although I don't
doubt we will get another hammering or two before this winter relents.
Taking advantage of the break, we did some preliminary yardwork chores
of gathering the tree litter for the burn pile.  Raking leaves from
under the bushes needs to wait a few weeks longer so we'll turn our
attentions inside.  We've picked out the wallpaper and border for the
hallway and that should go up in short order.

On Saturday we had the Hedlunds over for dinner and had good food,
good company, and a good time.  Jim and Diane own a pool and spa
business in Pelham, NH, so we've been talking about not spending
another New England winter without a spa.  After you own one, as we
did in the former house, it's awful hard not to want another one.
However, we are looking at a September timeframe for this, which gives
us plenty of time to plan and get excited about it.

On Sunday morning, our Pastor gave his mustache for missions.  I had
lots of sympathy for him, as some of us who have whiskers can only
know.  That is, until he walked in clean-shaven because he took off
about 5 years or so from his face.  My father took off his 'stache 
some years ago when it was going gray, and only recently has he 
let it grow back. After the family gets over the shock, who knows?  

Miranda was home for part of the weekend with three of her friends.
The ENC A Capella choir performed at church, doing very well, as one
might expect.  Mandy comes home for a week at the end of the month to
do some student teaching in the Pepperell School system.  That will be
really nice for us.

As for Jessica, you should check out
http://www.fortunecity.com/millenium/tulip/309/Crunkville1.html but
don't say anything to her about it.  She'd be happy to keep it a
secret but sometimes parents have to pop.

Joy had a biopsy last week.  That's a 6-letter word for anxiety, but
the doctor Joy has seen was very reassuring, so we're a lot better
emotionally than we were when we first discovered the irregularity.

Coca-cola goes by the boards in less than 48 hours until April 23.  (I
suppose water is an acquired taste.)  I think I'll have a glass (of Coke)
now (while I still can).

Have a great week, folks!

Mark
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