WHAT A SPECIAL DAY TODAY JANUARY 5 2008

This is dedicated to those of you who have reached a certain age when you might be entitled to be called "Senior Citizens", "old farts", "old timer", or whatever moniker the newest generation hangs on us "Social Security" kids.

By the way, thanks to all of you younger folks who continue to put money into the program which since the mid thirties, has been a life saver for many Americans, thanks to the great FDR (genuflect) and the Democratic Congress which fought off the GOP to give the country this super program! Sure its underfunded since "the evil one" took office and built up the massive deficit that our kids and grandkids will challenge our younger generation and their kids for years.

If your contimplating reitrement soon the question you will be asked by your peers is always:
WHAT DO YOU DO TO KEEP BUSY? WHAT DO YOU DO WITH ALL THAT TIME?

The simple answer: "I DON'T KNOW HOW I EVER HAD TIME TO WORK!" Today is a brilliant day in St. Louis, not too cold and heading upward to around 60 degrees. Yes! After an early rise and a set of excercises: 50 Push Ups, 50 crunches, and 50 Bicycles plus a new set of workouts, given me this week by my physical therapist, its off to Mass at St. Pauls down the road apiece.
This mass was my kind of mass, no pontificating but more story telling about a really neat guy, a US guy St. John Neumann, who was one of the earliest of modern Catholic educational leaders.
Hats off to John on his feastday. The priest celebrating the mass even had a relic of this saint which he held on high as he gave us our blessing. MAN I FEEL HOLY TODAY!

Following Mass it was over to Mac's for a pancake breakfast and some really hot coffee (No I didn't spill it and there will be no lawsuit!" Then to the Bank to get some dough as I was operating on empty! A quick drive to the Fenton, MO Post Office sent a spectacular new book written by
Greg Marecek to my old buddy Vince Ventimiglia who is suffering in Bradenton FL (it was cold down there this week!) I love Florida greatly even though it is presently a Republican state!
Marececk St. Louis Hawks Gallery of Images & Memorabillia brings a glistening to my eyes, as I remember some of my greatest St. Louis sports thrills, attending their games. Following a my
postal visit, it was home and I needed energy so I gulped down some of my Malted Meal, a new and tasty cereal, oh yes represented here in St. Louis by the lovable Tracy Ohl, who is like a daughter to the old bear. Tracy is right: This is good chow and my energy level rose quickly.

Finally, after taking a George Bush, I headed to the far reaches of St. Louis City, down by beautiful Carondelet Park to finally deliver the Christmas goods to son Timmy, I'm happy to say, an unabashed liberal Democrat, (sometimes I have to reign him in) and his lovely wife Cassie, along with my three little angels Chance, Wheeler, and Bella (Wheeler and Bella) are twins! Timmy was a free spirited bachelor until Cassie tamed him and shortly thereafter, it was wedding bells and then within two years, three little Christians were belched out! Timmy is now a spectacular father
but you know what, he talks more than me. New store neighbor Fitz, a former Pittsburgh citizen,
and a huge Steeler and Penguin fan was out front and I naturally yelled "the Steelers suck" to get his attention! After a great visit watching these gremlins racing through the house, it was back home
and now it is close to Game Time (NFL PLAYOFFS), (THE DEMOCRATIC AND REPUB DEBATE) (I USE THE WORD REPUB SINCE THOSE ELEPHANTS ALWAYS CALL US DEMOCRAT PARTY) (I WILL TEVO THIS) and of course my beloved St. Louis Blues are on tap for a match with the Carolina Hurricanes. (We need to win some home games.)

So, bottom line: I DON'T WANT TO HEAR: "HOW DO YOU KEEP BUSY?" ARE YOU KIDDING? So says the Bear!