Last summer, at the tender age of 75, I sat down and wrote "tohellwithitIquit" letters to the last of my customers. I didn't bail out all at once, the first ones to go were the ones who paid slow (or, on occasion, not at all). The next round I got rid of the a------s I just didn't like, then in September I sent respectful letters of sincere thanks to the fine folks who made it possible for me to feed my family for a long time.

We're doing okay so far but I'm definitely ready for the stock market to go back up.

My wife tells people that I'm a lot easier to live with now. I don't understand why she should say that because I have always been kind and gracious to everybody. I might add fun-loving, even tempered, and understanding at all times.

---- You may want to spray your computer with "B.S eradication spray" at this point ------

I miss the many good friends I made among my customers but that's about all I miss. I have a sufficient number of toys and a bunch of unfinished projects to keep me amused now. Outside of a few geezer-related problems, my health is pretty darn good.

All in all, I'd have to say I'm blessed, and I wish the same for the rest of you retired guys.

Jim