Health wise it was a good year. During my annual visit to Florida in February, I came down with a pneumonia virus. Gerry Hill's physician prescribed a medicine that cured the hacking cough. A few days later we discovered blood smears in my bed and on the rugs. I was taken to the Clearwater hospital. X-rays indicated that I had broken my right pinky toe in three places (I never felt a thing). The bone in the toe was seriously infected and immediate amputation was ordered. I had no idea that there was a flourishing market for used toe body parts. In addition to the little toe, it was also...

December 4, 1994 their, Hey, they're, Udo!-- there, My cutting-edge computer may be just days away. I was preparing my den to accommodate the computer when Reality intervened. Our oldest granddaughter's finance is a medic at a nearby base, and his work shifts vary. Mary deducted that when he was not on duty, he could be performing useful tasks around our house (for a consideration). Tasks like repairing the fence, cleaning the rain gutters, re-hanging the yard gate, etc. He agreed. He's a good handyman, but he doesn't have any tools. So I had to provide the tools and discuss...

11 November 1994 there, Hey, they're Udo!--there, Glad to hear from you at long last. We thought the weather was delaying the mail stage from Stamford, but nothing stops it, we now realize. When they take a pledge to deliver Udo's letters, they deliver. Or else. Excellent news about Thomas. Straight A's! We always knew he had what it takes. Next he'll be taking extension courses from Harvard. If he says he wants a Nobel Prize, don't fight it. Most kids howl for a driver's license. You're lucky. As you see, I am still using my steam-powered word processor, but relief...

September 21, 1994 their, Hey, they're, Udo!-- there, New computer plus exotic auxiliaries delayed because of keyboard availability (temporary lack of). When installed, you will be the first recipient of late-breaking news. "Inky" Hive will be the second. The enclosed clipping caught my eye because of the subject's name. You will note that in the text he is called John T. Herzog. In the photo caption he is Jeff Herzog. Too bad the Real John Herzog can't share this. But he won't be forgotten. I read the article carefully to see if The Bee's heads-up proofreader covered...

August 28, 1994 their, Hey, they’re, Udo!-- there, Our houseguests departed on Monday the 8th. We delivered the last one to the airport, drove home dazed, and collapsed in hysterics. Night fell. We staggered to our feet, gulped vodka, lurched down the hall into bed, and slept for seventy—two hours.

July 28, 1994 their, Hey, they’re, Udo!-- there, Glad to hear from you after four months. (My last letter to you was in March.) And very glad to hear the news about Thomas. His new school sounds like the answer. we’re sure it’s a great relief to you and Anne that the guesswork is behind you. If he likes computers and astronomy, he’s on his way.

March 20, 1994 their, Hey, they’re, Udo!-- there, The heartrending news that you are forced to live on bread and water to afford Thomas’s tuition has stirred a great wave of concern. We went from door to door in rags, and solicited enough for next year. A deposit of $20,000 will be made to your account at The Overdrawn & Forgers National Bank of Stamford. Feel free to eat a balanced diet again.

February 23, 1994 their, Hey, they’re, Udo!—- there, Happy to hear that The Slatin Family is O.K. Long gaps between letters, especially in the weather you’ve been having, imply car accidents, collapsed roofs, frostbite, starvation and other side effects. The disasters in California haven’t been in our area, but our in-laws in Malibu lost their house, and friends near the epicenter in Northridge had to vacate, and their dishes, furniture, etc. were total losses. This is Nature’s way of saying "thanks." Snow is better. (Honest.)

January 24, 1994 their, Hey, they’re, Udo!-- there, No word from you for many months. Everything O.K.? Are you snowbound or icebound? We continue to read about the rough weather in your part of the country. California has had fires and an earthquake, but not near us. Daughter-in-law’s parents were burned out in Malibu. Some friends in the San Fernando Valley had their homes leveled by the earthquake. Our danger would be floods, but not much rain so far.

October 22, 1993 their, Hey, they're, Udo!-- there, Special Request. Letter arrived from Art Gurney the day after I mailed mine to you on the 19th. In an earlier letter he mentioned a number of SEDs he used to see at reunions but has lost tough with. One of them was Arthur Covert.