It's your day! Happy Birthday!

[Thenamir]

Thanks for the well-wishes, and a happy Shire Hangover Day (the day after the Long-Expected Party) to everyone!

I have a great deal to be thankful for today, for those who don't know, the eye of Hurricane Ike passed a mere 15 miles to the east of my home, but no one was hurt, and there was almost no damage to our house or cars -- many even in our neighborhood did not fare so well. Our beloved willow tree, in our backyard, was nearly stripped bare, and several of its larger limbs were snapped off, but it will recover, in time. Also, in a city where 1/3 of the people are even today without power and some may not get it back on for a couple of weeks, our electricity was out for a mere 36 hours. God was very good to us, and I am grateful. I could receive no better birthday gift than this.

I am sorry that the Downs has not been higher on my priority list, but you are all in my thoughts often, and I wish the best for all of you today and every day!