I appreciate your indulgence of this week's much lighter postings. I've been spending the days with my mother, 95 years of age now, in a Missouri Ozarks nursing home. I live 450 miles away; I never know when I may last see her. I'm sure many of you are in the same boat. Anyway, it's been a pleasant week of family visiting. The only downside is that I also sustained a $400 bill for new tires, a $1,300 brake job and a $200 radiator flush. Ouch, and triple ouch. Tomorrow (Sunday) I'll be on the road, heading home, and Monday I shall be back at normal operations. Happy New Year. —PM