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Being separated physically by many miles from our families presents it’s challenges. On our minds quite often is how they are doing, what’s the latest movie they watched, how is life with the new boy friend, did they gat the package you sent? Endless little things that make our hearts grow fonder each day. When I was in the Navy in Viet Nam, without a doubt, mail call was the high light of our day. We could not wait for a letter from home or a package containing cookies or candy. A picture of our family or buddies was the absolute greatest thing. Finding out the grandparents were doing just fine was vety comforting. I wasn’t married or had a girlfriend, but my shipmates who were, longed to know about their children’s school grades and who their latest friend was. I witnessed grown men completely break down when they got a “Dear John” letter. One even jumped ship and swam ashore to the Viet Cong. My daughter and her family recently moved away from home. A promotion sent them a 1,000 miles away. Adjustment at first was quite difficult, but gradually it became easier to accept. Enter modern technology. The separation has been so much easier to accept because of IM, Facetime, and the multitude of other communication devices. My daughters family just got a new puppy, and seeing the happiness in my granddaughters faces is immeasurable. Watching them chasing the pooch or him running them down is so much fun. Viewing them live as they open their birthday gifts is so neat. Just watching them for 15 minutes drawing their latest cartoon character, or seeing them staying within the lines coloring a teddy bear. Seeing my wife’s face light up as she so intently observes their every movement, is priceless. Yes, modern technology has allowed our family to stay up to date with each other. Is it as good as physically being together? No. But, it is certainly better than waiting weeks for a letter to arrive.

What did the cult-head say to the world? "I've seen the light!" What did Jesus say to the cult-head? "I am the light." Okay. Not so funny. Never was the court jester.

Good one, Waysider What did the psychologist say to the light bulb in the ceiling fixture? You’re already screwed up.

I moved overseas in the late 80s and I used to write to my mum and sometimes send a cassette tape that I recorded. It cost £3/minute to phone. Now, with inclusive phone calls, and good broadband, we can phone or Zoom or Skype free, and grandparents can still read the kiddies a bedtime story, or help older kids with homework, as well as adults sharing news, and showing absent friends or relatives round the garden, or the painting/decorating they've just done, or the new car they just bought, etc, etc. So much more fulfilling, and involving. Not the same as being with a real person, but definitely better than nothing. Am Zooming with a lot of friends etc now, with the lockdowns. It's been very nice. It's still nice to get a letter or a card, though. Something physical, to hold and to treasure.

Q: How many psychologists does it take to change a light bulb? A: Only one...but the light bulb has to want to change.

It was my mistake, he didn't mention cartels, just drug running. I assumed cartels as mafias in one guise or another, read secret societies, have been around since Nimrod. Sorry for the confusion. By the way, I'm really looking forward to seeing the dude again. And Craig. And Victor. And Rosalie. And John. And Vince. And everyone here. It's going to be fun and it's going to be forever. We will all stand shoulder to shoulder with the lord when we return to earth with him in the next administration to start the clean up operation.