Been a long time.

Gosh, it's been since Feb. since I have posted. Life is busy. During that time I turned 70, visited grandkids and parents in Maryland, took Indonesian and Thai students on a tour of D.C. As May approached, we realized that we actually were going to be redundant in less than a Month (the Brit term for retirement). At least we made the decision. After 46 years for me and over 30 for Betsy, it's time. I still love the classroom, the freedom to teach concepts and stir up debate, and the students, but the old energy level is not what it used to be. It doesn't help that I often go to sleep listening to Sinatra's "September of My Years" album! I have been extraordinarily blessed with a loving wife, three terrific daughters and their partners, four beautiful grandkids, and a new heart in 2001. How many retirees can say they loved what they were doing (in the classroom, on the stage set, etc.)? Face it, I got to blather on about O'Connor, Hitchcock, and Caravaggio, to name a few, while enjoying them again and again.

Now what? No formal plans as of now, but we will get to D.C. when Kristin's new baby boy arrives in mid-June and we hope to take a month's driving tour of the west with a long stop north of L.A., where Chris, Cat and the boys are moving this summer. We wish all of you well in the months and years ahead.