Right after these notes are submitted for the May/June DAM your scribe’s odometer will roll over on March 1 to show 90. A milestone birthday and one shared with several of you already. I wonder if you had any special thoughts as you hit this marker? I have mine in this old, used brain and here they will stay for now. For sure we have been blessed in many ways and faith has it that there will be more to come, for indeed, we still have miles to go before we sleep. For example, we have been blessed with 70-plus years of forever friends even though the original number has diminished and will continue to do so.

Following the weather requires a new understanding about atmospheric rivers and global vortex. It still boils down to heavy rain and floods and record low temps for many parts of the country. Bill Cassell, Sierra Madre, California, had rain but not the flooding and even squeezed in some golf.

Kilt Andrew, Falmouth, Maine, reports he gets by the wintery days by maintaining an active lifestyle that includes preparing dinner a night a week with a friend, meeting with a group of men and women for a long coffee hour and discussion, a music night out, hikes in the woods, and a quiet Sunday with The New York Times. No TV, which he finds abusive. Kilt has 200 acres of woods in Sebago, Maine, which gives him work and exercise because the woodlands are vertical: “With ownership comes responsibility.” Snow on the ground requires snowshoes to get around. He used to produce maple syrup with his brother starting about March 1. This year some maple tapping is going on in Vermont in January. “Anyone denying climate change is just plain nuts.”

John Braestrup, with three operations to his credit now, continues his outstanding leadership of our Dartmouth College Fund effort. Please get your check of support off to Hanover by June 30.

Sadly, we report the passing of Robert Hayes Jr., Brooks Parker, Robert Sachs.

—Ken Lundstrom, 1912 Marsh Road, IL Apt. 132, Wilmington, DE 19810; (919) 641-5219; ken lundstrom@yahoo.com