It’s good to be alive. Lately, I’ve been counting my blessings and trying hard to keep a positive focus on the unknown future. I’ll be seventy soon, and there’s no denying I’ve entered the final chapter in the story of my life. I hope it’s a long one! In the meantime, I’ll take each day as it comes and make the best of it. As long as you are having fun, it’s not a waste of time.

I filled those precious hours yesterday with the usual, starting with the Sweet Stroll’s new Sunday version. The kids are happy to see us no matter what day we appear.

Swan has been planning a celebration event on the 27th. We’ve been discussing possible venues to accommodate the invitees, and after several misses, we have found a location that should work well for us.

In keeping with my Sunday tradition, I took care of feeding the hungry girls at Hideaway.

We did not eat at John’s place this week. Instead, we joined the Bryce Street neighbors, Martin and Joss from our right, along with Jeff and Davina on the left, for dinner at the Hops and Brews.

After our meal, I suggested the group pay a visit to Jumpin’ Jacks, but when we arrived, it was inexplicably closed. I found out this morning that the sweet bartender there has passed away. She was a kind and friendly woman who was only in her early forties. Sad that her time here on earth was so short.

We left the car at Jumpin’ Jacks, and walked up the highway to Red Bar for our post-dinner liquid refreshments. When we’d had enough there, we headed back towards the car, but decided to pop into Mugshots for a nightcap.

Mugshots is now on my no-go list along with BarCelona, Cloud 69, and Cheap Charlies.

And then I ran out of time and brought another day to a close.

On to December 2011 in the LTG archives, and there still isn’t much of substance taking place other than photo memories from the past like this one of my mom and dad:

And me and my high school sweetheart Karen:

The only post worthy of inclusion is the pictorial story of the visit with Jee Yeun to the Congaree National Park in South Carolina. Losing the life we shared still hurts, but I’m still glad for all the good times.

Today’s YouTube video is the first one I’ve seen from this vlogger. I like his style and the fact that he keeps it short and sweet, so I’m now a subscriber. I totally agree with his top five things to dislike about living in the Philippines, but as he notes at the end, the good outweighs the bad.

Let’s take a shot at some humor, shall we?

And on that note, we will bring this post to a close. There’s a Hash in my near future, and I’ve already plotted a half-assed course. I’ll let you know how that works out for me tomorrow.

Here’s that song I want played at my funeral, not that I’ll care one way or another.