well, the doctor said the old man has at most, two months to live, but she'd be happy to see him make it to Easter.

complete renal failure (diabetes) and black lung disease (Agent Orange). How much crappier could it get?

surprisingly enough, he's taking it all into stride, and I have to admire him for that. It's as if he knows he's got certain things to take care of, to whip into shape, then he's free to go after the next big adventure. Of course, he's been ready since my mother died, so death isn't as scary to him as one would think.

and I think that's a special grace to look your impending death straight in the eye and say, okay, I'm ready …