Friday 18th February will be Packie's 94th birthday (he was born in 1917) so if anybody feels like sending him a card or note, I think he would appreciate it. He's always looked upon his old folkie years as the best of his life, and many people here were part of that. But do realise that he's a lot frailer these days, tires easily, and doesn't get out much, so please:

- Write clearly in dark ink using fairly large letters

- Don't expect a reply - it's not that he's indifferent to his messages but he really can't write well anymore: neither his hand-grip nor his eyesight is good enough to grapple with a pen

- Write, don't phone. He's quite hard of hearing now and finds conversations difficult, especially when he can't see you. And, it won't surprise anyone to know, he doesn't use computers so it really means paper & snail-mail.

- He likes funny cards (especially if they're a bit on the rude side!)

- If you can't find a birthday card you like, a Valentine's one would do just as well

- Pass the news on to any non-Mudcatters you think would like to know


The recent obit threads have set me reflecting that at this age, every birthday is a blessing, so it might be an idea to write to him while we still can. If you just address it as follows, it will reach him:

Packie Manus Byrne
Ardara
Co. Donegal
Ireland