I am glad that last year is over. It was a very hectic year for me, filled with extreme ups and downs. Many thanx to those who were so supportive of me when I was going through those zoning problems. All of the animals are so happy now that it's hard to imagine that they were ever in any peril. My Aunt continues to survive the ravages of Alzheimer's with humor and courage. She is now 93. My son Gabriel is almost 5 now, and to see them "play" together is really something else. That we were all able to bring in the New Year together, my Mom who is now 81 included, was really a blessing and a fitting end to the mostly chaotic year which threatened to pull us apart. Life is beautiful, even while there are those lurking around corners who would have it otherwise, and we somehow still manage to tear away the old page effortlessly and marvel at the new one with hopeful eyes. What strange and wonderful creatures we are, indeed! I hope you are a little bit closer to where you want to be this year, and I hope that you find the opportunity to be with the people whom you love. I wish you the happiest of New Years, dear people, and the chance that it will be one filled with magic!