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Thank you, Dirk. You been an amazing friend over the past few years. I appreciate that and your kind words here.

I have several pictures of her I'm having enlarge for framing. There are a couple of little things she had that just hated and I told her I was gonna smash and trash them. But I can't. They way t5oo sentimental now.

I try not to get very sentimental very often, but true love never dies and memories live forever. I have that to hang onto. So far, I'm doing as good as can be expected. We just had this large four-bedroom, three full-bath house built a couple of years. It sure can get lonely with all that room to yourself. The rerally sad paret is, I've lost both my girls this spring. Lucy, our Dachshund, died iin February - and now Diana.

I'll get back to reading and reviewing in a week or so.

Take care. Hope you are well.

Alan

Many thanks, Randy. I'm looking forward to your new novel, something a little different from you. Wishing you and Sylvia the very best.

Alan

I still have memories from 1950 when I was three years old!. Harry Truman had been president for about 2 years when I was born.

But Dirk, neither you nor I is even one tenth as pretty as Marilyn!

Hey Folks,

i thought I'd be back, more or less fulltime, a couple of weeks ago, but my wife had a few medical emergencies. I'm hoping I can be here at least several days a week for the foreseeable future. I owe quite a few replies to a lot of reviews. Will get started on those late tonight.

Like Marilyn, Harry Truman was president when I was born (1947). I'll be 78 on March 22. Marilyn's birthday and mine are just a day or two apart. But it's easy to tell us apart - she's the pretty one. I share her sentiments almost word-for-word.

Back in December, Dick Van Dyke (who turned 100 years old on December 18th) had a great comment about this most recent US election. I'm paraphrasing, but it's real close to his literal words:  "The only good thing about this election is, that at 100 years old, I probably won't live long enough to have to endure it."

What I wonder at this point is, who do the Democrats have with enough name recognition and track record to run against whomever the Republicans try to push through? Newsome is too controversial, even for the centrist Dems and Harris has seen her star dim very quickly. Jeffries? I'd be okay with that, but I'm not sure he has the clout to get to the finish line first. Maybe Governor Shapiro of Pennsylvania?  He'd have to work hard to get name recognition beyond the Northeast.

Just some thoughts. Wishing everyone the very best.

Alan

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate the greetings!

Hi Marilyn,

I sent you a pretty long test a couple of weeks ago. I assume it never got to you. I wanted to let you know how happy I was that you're on the road to recovery and the outlook is good. I had stage 3 colon cancer in 2014 and I'm doing fine. As ornery and sassy as you are, you'll probably outlive me - Ha! Hope you and David are doing well in all other respects. Di and I luv ya bunches - you're kinda special to us, ya know.

I'll pass on your well-wishes to Di. Sher's napping right now, but I'll pass on your greeting when she awakens.

Since hospice care is in progress, my load has been lightened to some extent. I've used some of that extra time to do some deep cleaning around the house and, to just rest. I've cancelled or put on hold several of my music contracts in order to have more time for fun and rest. Getting back to writing and reviewing will be nice. I just hope Sol can keep the site alive for the foreseeable future. It would be a tragedy if it goes under.

You take care and keep getting better. Big ole bear hugs to both of you,

Alan & Di

I pretty much agree with Barry. Changing the point ratio (I would suggest a 3:1 ratio as someone else already mentioned). I'm not as fond of the "no points" method as, in my opinion, requiring at least some review points required for posting would help to identify members who are more serious about their involvement with the site. Perhaps rewarding new members with 20 bonus points after they've given three regular reviews of at least fifty words or three inline reviews.

The great majority of us who are still here will probably hang around indefinitely. But we need to entice new members and then retain at least half of them. And we, as standing members have to make a concentrated effort to review new members quickly.

I want to make clear that I love the inline reviews and hope they remain for the life of the site. But a couple of my friends who have thought about posting some of their writing came over to look at the site. When they saw all the blue highlighted areas of an inline review were taken aback, stating, in general, "Oh my God! They're just shredding that guy's work. Wow!". I don't know how to address that, or even if it needs addressing, but they were intimidate by that. I explained that were merely suggestions and meant to be helpful. Nonetheless, they remained intimidated by it.

I'd hate to see TNBW disappear. Although I have life issues (most of you know about them) that keep me away from the site for extended periods, I always know this site will be here when I have the time to engage. And that's a huge comfort for me.

Anyway, my thoughts about things.

I'll be back to posting and reviewing either tonight or tomorrow.

Keep writing, everyone. Many of you have wonderful and entertaining writing skills.

Alan

Thanks, Dirk. Much appreciated! I hope to be back, at least for a while, early next week. The hospice team has taken over some of my duties in the care of Di. Looking forward to it.

Alan

Bill,

Many thanks. We both appreciate your prayers and kind words!

Alan

Dirk, Dags, and Nathan ... thank you very much. I appreciate that. So does Diana.

Marilyn, My Dear Friend ...

I was devastated to read this. You and I have been good friends since I joined, not long after you. I'll pray for you.

I'm an eleven-year survivor of colon cancer and still doing well. And I'm closing in on eighty years old. I had the exact symptoms you described, except my hemoglobin was 6.1. I had surgery six weeks later followed by seven months of chemo. I rarely got nauseous from the chemo; just couldn't stand to put my hands in the freezer. Other than that, it went pretty smoothly. I hope all of that helps to let you know the future can be bright, even with that diagnosis.

You know my phone number should you want to talk. I'll always have time to listen. But even better, you have David. He'll take care of you.

Love and lots of big hugs headed your way.

Alan

Hi Bill,

It's great to know your health is improving after your surgery. And it's terrific they found the issue in time to address it. And 60 years of marriage is almost unheard of these days - congrats!

I'm only four years behind you. I had my annual physical back in March. My doc said I was healthier than most of his 45 year-old patients. And I don't feel much different than I did at 45. I was gifted with the best medical genes from both my parents.

Here's wishing you and your wife continued good health for a long time.

Alan