After a series of strokes over the past nine months, my mother died peacefully a little after midnight Eastern Time. She was 81 years old and had a full life.

Funeral arrangements are pending; the services will be held in Charleston. Send me email if you'd like more information.

We are all holding up pretty well, since we had a lot of time to prepare. Mom helped to do the planning, over this past summer, and we know we're following her wishes.

I can hardly believe that the smarter guy won. 

Fred said (knowingly exaggerating, but with feeling):  "Our long national nightmare is over."

"Pravda" said:  "Eight years of hell are over."

I said, to Fred, "Whatever happened to the 20th-century Russian proverb 'V Pravdye ni pravda'?"

Fred just laughed.


I'm glad Mr. McCain is free to be himself again.  My life has been enriched by Ms. Palin's antics but it's good to know she's not likely to be on the top ticket again.

You were expecting maybe content?