With the approach of our 55th reunion in September and reflecting on events since 1963, I asked for a seven-word response to the question, “What’s next on your journey?” Ted Haynes wrote, “Swim, write, love—as long as possible.” This summer he published the fourth in his Northwest Murder Mystery series, this one set amid the Pole Pedal Paddle Race (downhill and cross-country skiing, bicycling, a five-mile run, kayaking, and a sprint to the end). Ted became the first to add murder to the events. Another author, Tom Maremaa, says the next steps in his journey include “two new novels coming out in October.” Look on Amazon. Tim Armstrong provided an aspiration (and an admonition): “Take the high road—onward and upward!” John Isaacs said, “Continued happy marriage, vigorous tennis, stimulating politics.” He also added a seven-word allusion to Mark Twain, “Writing shorter is harder than writing longer.” For Dean Ericson the next steps in his journey include the challenge of “aging gracefully, respected, loving, and dying peacefully.” Chris Smith adds, “Aging gracefully, anticipations aside, continuing to learn.” The question caught Bill Eggling by surprise: “Wait, there’s more?!” Steve Landa plans to “stay healthy and stay engaged.” Tad Campion says, “Hiking, biking, beach, N.Y.C., grandkids, grenache.” Tad said he might have added Paris, Portugal, or pinot noir as the seventh word but wanted to save the extra as his wild card. Warren Cook will hit the road, “October Gold Wing ride, Maine to Arizona,” while Joe Alviani continues, “Searching for that new less-traveled road.” Jonathan Dana plans on experiencing “more of some things, less of others.” Ellis Regenbogen says one thing he’s learned is that getting his priorities truly right is really important, and so he plans “continued healthy years with family and friends.” Owen Leach found that while this question was a tad unpleasant with the painful acceptance that time is not his friend, his plan will involve “making the most of every day.” As for me, I concur with Owen and will continue to squeeze the most out of each and every day I have left.

—Larry Langford, P.O. Box 71, Buckland, MA 01339; 1967damnotes@gmail.com