Birthday number 37 is nearly over for me. It’s been a hell of a year and much better than last year. Mother Nature gifted me (and most of northern NE) with a historic ice storm that knocked out power to my home. I was kept awake last night by the insanely frequent sounds of branches failing under the weight of 1” of ice. Doesn’t sound like much, but it was enough to snap mighty limbs of the mature oaks in my yard.

I’m a lucky guy. I’ve got a great wife, a wonderful home and even a job that pays me. What more could I ask for (cough Amazon gift certificates cough)?