Dad died 2 years ago and Mom moved into an apartment last year just 6 blocks away from the home in Milwaukee they'd shared for almost 45 years. There's three of us kids. Mom used to fantasize about us being on each coast and in the middle so she could visit us, which actually happened, but unfortunately her arthritis (and Dad's emphysema) made travel complicated.

My brother in Waverly, Iowa gets to visit most often. I was lucky enough to hitch a ride to Wisconsin with my cousin (in southern Massachusetts) this past summer and it looks like I'll be able to do it again this year. And my sister, who lives in the San Francisco Bay area, is visiting her right now.

We're all broke, but we manage. More important now than the past 30-some-odd years since I first moved to New England to visit. Mom's getting older, other relatives getting older (the "baby" is 80), even my old high school classmates are getting older. (How did THAT ever happen?!?)

If only she'd get e-mail . . .

And Sinsull, wahdyamean Tom's too good natured to be the resident curmudgeon?!? You only see him when he's being good! ;-)

Linn