Monday, December 15, 2014 It is a gray mild weather day in Toronto, with the temperature at 5C. All the snow we got last Thursday has disappeared. Looks to be a gray and brown Christmas coming up. When I wrote last year, I was just finishing up my radiation treatments. This year, I have been returning to Princess Margaret Hospital every three months for a check on my condition. In November, I had another CT Scan. I have been declared cancer free, but they are concerned that the lymph nodes in my neck are still swollen. That may be a side-effect of the radiation, and so I am booked for another CT Scan in early February to follow up. If everything is ok, I will be going for checkups every 6 months for the next few years. My travels this year were much the same. I spent 4 days on Amelia Island, Florida in late May. In late June, I headed off on another trip to Charlottesville, Virginia. Again it was a good time, with lots of good eating. The past few years I have taken down the venerable Gatchell cribbage board ( an heirloom), and have helped to introduce the game to new players. There are now a number of tournaments going on. At the beginning of August, I headed up to Nipigon to visit my sister Sally and her family. We enjoyed the Red Rock Folk Festival and enjoyed the hospitality of Hans and Joanna Sauermann, and Janice and Alan Aubut. There were a few milestones this year. On August 2nd, I turned 70. There was no big party but a number of smaller celebrations which were very welcome. Having a birthday in the middle of the summer has always been a bit odd so some of the celebrations were in the fall. It was all greatly appreciated so thanks to everyone who keep me cheerful as I became a septuagenarian. On a sadder note, my brother Tom passed away in hospital in Sudbury in late May, a few days short of his 84th birthday. I am sure Stella and his family are feeling the loss this Christmas, as he was one who enjoyed a good time. The funeral was held in Massey a few days later, and unfortunately, I was not able to get up to it in time, since I had agreed to preside at an interment of ashes ceremony for Bill Hindle. I had presided at his funeral two years ago, and his wife and daughters asked me to complete the process. I hope everyone has a great Christmas and New Year, and I hope to hear from you in the future.