Counting Blessings....

As the administrator of the mineral trust I help create back in 1998, I had to go to the bank Tuesday to sign off on the preliminary year end accounting. This is the only time each year I know, or want to know, how it's doing. Wow. It's doing stunningly well. I'm glad and blessed that all that work in '98, '99 and 2000 paid off for those who invested in it.

Knowing how much my share is worth is a blessing, and a curse, though actually I've had worse curses. When we set up the trust I had a covenant added putting a big penalty on withdrawls for the first five years. That was up last year and of course the thought of significant potential money in one's pocket tends to burn holes. But, I've decided to let my portion ride. In another 18 or 24 months the value of my share may perhaps cross a magic financial threshold. I can wait, I'm pretty content with life now, don't need much [though want a lot!] so I can wait. In fact in the emotional transition zone I'm in, it's better to wait. An emotional fool and his money are easily parted. Though I've thought of some ways to part with a portion of it that sound good, foolish or not.

Lately I've been pretty busy and I count that a blessing too. Thanks to friends, I have things upcoming to look forward to. I like looking forward to things.

After Christmas I've been invited down to the new Hill Country home of my long time, close friends Gen. Tom Hill and wife Toni. I've known Tom and Toni since college and once lived with them at Ft. Benning Ga. Daphne's invited and it doesn't hurt that Toni's younger, gorgeous sister Leanna will be there.

In early February I'm going to meet author friend Joe Galloway at a "celebrity" quail hunt in Abilene. I'm not a celebrity. I'll probably be the official celebrity photographer, bird boy and designated driver. Joe is bringing an old friend of his, Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf. A privelage to pick up the General's birds and take some photos.

Finally and the coup d'grace of my upcoming travels; on February 26th I'll be in the White House to see my good pal, and annual visitor to the estate, Bruce Crandall receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. Bruce and Arlene are bringing a friend too, actor Greg Kinnear who played Bruce in the film, We Were Soldiers. Daphne is not invited here, but will stay with my Mom, who has taken a real shine to her.

Truly blessed; most importantly with friends, but also with some interesting opportunities. My horoscope on my birthday said that I was entering a new 11 year good luck cycle, perhaps this is the start!