March 12th:  My dear friend from college, Cindy Toda, celebrates her birthday today.  I’m pretty sure she is still in her late 20’s.  She has always had a youthful spirit and lots of energy, and I can’t think of too many other people I know who are as well balanced as Cindy (and my friends are all well balanced, smile).  For those who don’t know her, CT is the creator of this great site which has allowed me to maintain some assemblance of contact with all of you during my deployment.  Cindy resides in St. Augustine & Jacksonville, FL; Central America; Denver; Detroit; Panama and, occasionally, San Diego.  Live long, my friend! 

March 12th:  My young friend, Micaiah, is learning to drive.  She is the daughter of my very dear friend, Tarron, who shared a particular near-death experience with me now many years past.  Micaiah and her mom are helping me to predict certain emotional events in the life of a teenage girl.  And I am paying close attention to those clues, as Jessie Rae has hit adolescence full force.  Tarron, Doron, Micaiah and Hannah live in Dallas, Tx.

March 17th:  I’ve long since lost touch with my friend, Wenny Wigley, from Pensacola, FL, but I watched her grow up as a young woman, then work her way through college (Emery in Atlanta) and post-graduate school.  I still keep in loose contact with her family and visit them when I am in the Florida Panhandle.  I always knew Wenny would do great things in life, I’m just not sure what they are.  So, wherever you are, Wen, I wish you well (D.C.?).

March 21st:  My brother, Doug, the great writer, scholar, intellectual and acquirer of good music, celebrates his birthday on the first day of Spring.  Doogalay is just a few years my junior and we have always been close.  He was always “the smart one,” “the good looking one,” etc.  Of course, he was also the prototypical middle child and he ran away on more than one occasion.  The Dude spent years overcoming his mommy complex.  The guy truly is brilliant and, someday, I’m sure he will write one of the many novels he’s been developing for years.  He’ll probably quit smoking and lose weight, too… when pigs fly.  Dougster and his better half, Cindy, and her boys, Tanner and Luke, live in Escondido, CA. 

March 21st:  Rich Voslow is another dear friend from college who has always been there for me, through thick and thin, and I am indebted to him for his kindness and generosity (though he has never made me feel like I owe him anything) - a true, good friend.  He is the kind of guy who is happy being behind the scenes, but always has a hand in ensuring everything runs smoothly (The Wizard:  “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!”).  He is also one hell of a party planner and host, and I am always pleasantly surprised at his broad range of guests and surprises.  Rich live in Seattle, WA, a great place to visit for whatever ails you.