Well here we are, airmen, Holy Week coming to an end with Good Friday and Sunday being Easter. For those of you who share our beliefs,
Happy & Blessed Easter. To our jewish daughter-in-law, Katie, and her family, A Blessed Passover. It’s a fine spring day, with the sun shining bright and I’m mind juggling lots of thoughts and emotions.

Our oldest daughter, Michelle, married a fellow named Chris, who is carpenter/contractor of amazing skills. Being the nerd who could never wield a hammer right, I am always in awe of people who work with their hands. Ever since we moved into the old homestead, Valerie has wanted to get rid of the windows on our breezeway that connects the house with our garage. Well, two weeks ago, having finally sqirreled away enough money to afford them, we ordered five new windows through Chris. This morning, he and his parter arrived at the crack of dawn and within 90 minutes had removed the old windows and completely installed the new ones. Valerie is in seventh heaven.

As she was washing the new windows, the mailman drove into the yard and brought us today’s mail. Amongst the collection was my
monthly stash of comics. I get them from a buddy who manages a comic shop in Ohio. Also
a letter from the Arizona State Prison where
my best friend from my high school days is serving a life sentence for murder. He and I
lost touch after high school, and as the years rolled by would now and then bump into each around town. With each of these brief encounters there was always the promise of getting together socially, but that never happened. Instead, I began to hear, from friends and neighbors that he was having a rough go of life. No matter what he attempted, it failed. Eventually, with a divorce under his belt, he packed his few posessions and took off for the mid-West. Over twenty-five years later,
I learned of the his bad luck had continued to
hound his footsteps, leading to his permanent
incarceration. I managed to contact his younger sister and get a mailing address. I was compelled to write him and renew our contact.
He was my best friend during those awkward years of growing up, when every day is a challenge and mystery you don’t know if you’ll survive or not.
He was a big part of my making it through. Now it’s my turn to reach out and keep him afloat.
Life is funny and sometimes just plain sad.
Each of us would do well, every day, to remember there are always people worse off than we are.
Guaranteed. Then sit back and honestly appreciate what you do have. It’s the right thing to do.

I’m sure by now, the more astute of you have noticed how the hanger has been spruced up with some color touch-ups and new, snazzy fonts. They are a gift from my good pal, Anthony, who started a brand new job this week.
All good wishes going your way, pal. And of course, what Anthony provided, my son, Scott put into use here, as he’s our hangar master mechanic. That’s him above with his son, Logan. Scott’s a great dad and I’m terribly proud of him,as I am of all my wonderful kids.

Oops, almost forgot another Chris. This one my writing colleague, Chris Mills. A few weeks ago he launched as yet another website, this one devoted to B-Movies. It’s a hoot and you really should check it out. THE DVD LATE SHOW, the link is now up on the links pages.

Finally this week, although off to a great start, the Red Sox certainly hit a bump in the road with the Toronto Blue Jays this week. Ouch. But hey, the season is still young and
hope, as ever, springs eternal.

Happy Holidays, airmen. Ron, over and out.