"So good a lady that no tongue could ever pronounce dishonour of her." (Henry VIII)

I received an e-mail from California daughter, Bonny, that is the kind of email I prefer getting instead of jokes or boring articles I have no interest in. (See blog Thurs. Dec. 4). Since what she writes qualifies as a blog, I am making her a guest blogger and publishing her email as an example of what family and friendly emails should be like--that is, full of news.

Hello Dad! Just wanted to see how you are. I've read your blogs and you sound as if you are doing just fine. Don and I just got home from dinner from "Coco's", not bad but not good. I had a lobster sandwich. Please share this with Rh+, I'm not so savvy at this internet stuff, because I still find that after work and playing with my dogs, and shopping, cooking, gardening, and working on my art, and trying to keep a house in order among all the other stuff, taking care of "my guy", and my son, and the in-laws, and mom, I don't really like to be on computer. Only to be in touch with family. You.!! Sean came over last night, Dec.8th, a day after his 26thbirthday. Can you believe it? I invited mom over, Sean only had an hour in between his classes, and I managed to cook (within a half hour of getting home from work), filet mignon with Bearnaise sauce, carrots and red potatoes, and managed a chocolate bomb some kind of fancy dessert I just had to microwave, a little wine, and I pulled it off. Sean was full, Don did the dishes ( I love that guy), and I think Sean seemed fat and happy and left to finish his studies. ( I love that kid). Don will be in Santiago, Chile for a gig...Did I tell you that I love you? I will talk to you both before you leave for your trip. Hugs to Rh and kisses to you. ....Bonny

I had to renew my driver's license today, and it's quite a puzzle you have to endure. First of all you stand in a line that's painted on the floor. I don't know what happens if you put your foot over the line. Then a woman in one of the stations calls you up. She asks for your name and address, your telephone number and your date of birth. Then she instructs you to walk through a blue door--really--it's all blue. Before you go in your imagination runs rampant about what's on the other side, but you walk in and you see a bunch of chairs, and apparently you're supposed to sit there until you get a call for a number the first agent gives you. Mine was "B31313". After about 10 minutes your number is called and you are instructed to march to station six--there are ten stations. The agent then collects your driver's license and picture ID and instructs you to take the eye test. She said, "Read line 5" . I looked into the machine and all the lines were a blur. I went into temporary shock, figuring I wouldn't pass, and suddenly disembodied voice said, "Put your glasses on." I thought that was very wise, and so I did, and those letters on line five were a clear eyeful. I walked back to stations six, and the agent asked me a whole bunch of questions like was my license ever suspended, did I ever get caught DUI, do I take insulin for diabetes, etc. Finally she said to give her $21 which I thought was fair enough. Then she took my picture, and I tried to smile--but it was difficult. Then I was asked to sit in another room until my name was called. After about 15 minutes, someone called my name, I walked out of the room, and the agent handed me my new driver's license. The best thing about it is that it doesn't expire until February 2015! It really felt good that the Motor Vehicle Bureau was so optimistic about me. I'll be happy to give up my license in 2015. I'll be 91!