Thanks for all the good wishes, folks. I'm feeling much better, but now Ruth has a new cold after just being over the last one for a few days.

Speaking of good folks, I just want to share with you what is happening with my book. This being Mudcat, where religion has too often caused ugly rifts between people, it's very heartwarming to see the basic goodness and lack of judgment among my friends. That starts with all of you around the kitchen table, and I appreciate it.
In just the three weeks since my book was published, I have Muslims, Jews, atheists, agnostics and a friend who practices transcendental meditation reading it. I made no effort to sidestep my faith in the book, as I have on here. The response has been very positive, and that speaks volumes about the goodness of my friends.

Several of the people who bought the book have admitted that they don't read books. They've enjoyed mine because the chapters are only three or four pages long, and the tone conversational, not that much different than here around the kitchen table.

Many of the people who have read the book have ordered additional copies. Some have been to give to family members or friends, and some have been to give to people who are sick and shut-in. One person bought the book even though he cannot see well enough to read, and donated it to the library of the Veteran's Hospital where he lives. Another person bought an additional copy to put in the library of a retirement/nursing home complex.

All these things mean a great deal to me. They offer encouragement that despite all the stress of these days and the fear and hate-mongering that poisons this world (including that from some members of the Christian right) there is still a lot of love and goodness in this world.

It feels good when I see hard times bringing out the good in people.