Hellooooo ....... I'm home! After 11 days in hospital, I am now entering my fourth day back in my home. Feels good.

First let me tell you how much I appreciate all your expressions of concern, as well as your prayers, healing thoughts, and well wishes. Those sentiments are tossed around far too casually by some, but I want you all to know how sincerely I mean them. To be laying in a bed, unsure of what is happening or what the future holds, then to have this outpouring of support from friends near and far is healing, humbling and gratefully received. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Next, I would like to apologize for not being a little more forthcoming on my condition. There were several reasons, not the least of which was security for my home and instruments. I live rural, and wanted to be sure everything was secured in my absence and did not want too public a face on my absence. Also, events, and my mental condition made any in depth descriptions a little difficult. Everything got kind of random there for a while.

So .... What happened? A couple of months ago, just before my Ireland concert tour, I started getting a sharp pain in my head when I would cough. As I have struggled with sinus most of my life,I assumed that was happening. My Physician thought the same thing. As I cannot take decongestants, I started using the neti pot, and it offered relief. So off I go to visit Seanmháthair Éire, had a great tour, came home started preparing for the holidays, and finishing work on the Ritchie Project, etc. Monday, the 23rd, I was doing some errands with my daughter when my left arm started tingling and going numb. I immediately had my daughter head for hospital, they rushed into MRI, where it was discovered I had a subdural hematoma a little over a centimeter thick. Angio scheduled the next day revealed it wasn't congenital or due to degradation, so it must have come from a blow to the noggin, though I am switched if I remember the blow. I have been on Plavix and a full aspirin daily since my heart attack 10 years ago. I bleed so easily that a scratch bleeds like a stab wound. The various scans showed varying ages in the bleed, so figure I must have hit my head in the shop, cursed threw rocks, and then ignored it. It finally let me know it was through being ignored. Prognosis at this point looks good, no loss of any function. This next six weeks are going to be shite, as I am severely restricted in any lifting or physical activity. I think it is time to finally marry that keyboard, and dig into writing some of the songs that I have floating out there in the corners of my noggin.

DON'T TELL SPAW but the Doctor said, and I am quoting here, I have "an amazingly plump, young looking, big brain". He said this in the context of why they couldn't try dissolving the clot instead having to evacuate it. He said there was no room up there for anything extra. HA! I will take a load of aul shite over that one, for sure.

So things are looking up, at this point anyways. I tire easily, and stringing together long thoughts like this are a bit taxing, but I will take it. The nagging headaches are a bit trying, but they tell me that is to to be expected as the brain re occupies the space.

So there you have it, my friends. I will end as I started by thanking you all, and most especially by thanking my dear friend Max. Buddy, because of your good works, trying as they have been for you, you have created a worldwide community of friends, and musically family. Your sacrifices over the years planted the seeds that have made my life better in so many ways. Know that I love you, my younger friend, and wish all good things for you. AND ALL OF THE REST OF YOUSE LAYABOUTS AS WELL!

All the best,

Mick