Forty-four years ago I was a rail-thin young man of twenty. I thought that I knew a lot…but I later found that I had only started to learn. MJ and I were married on March 24, 1978. She was a teacher and I was a janitor…and some said that it would never last… I have always attempted to stop and smell the roses…but when I reflect on the past 44 years I wish that I had done so even more. We are supremely blessed with two wonderful sons, Aaron and Jonathon, and they are the joy of our lives. I have taken to noticing the little things more and more. A duck or geese or the beauty of Campus Lake…warms my heart no matter how many times that I have seen them before. Sweet friends who wished MJ and me, their heartfelt good wishes on our 44th. A lovely dinner at the Freight House in Paducah, Kentucky. Playing cards with MJ has rapidly become one of my favorite pastimes.

When we began our partnership we lived in a house trailer that MJ owned. Soon we purchased a little four-room house in Elkville and lived there for 21 years. We just passed our 21st year of living in Carbondale…in what we call the New House…we do things by 21…it seems. We are a close family and we see our sons often. We all love the newest canine member of the family…Mylo.

Travel is a great joy to us. Throughout our lives, we have attempted to make journeys as often as possible. However, I have so many interests that I can enjoy staying local for long periods of time. Reading and writing and photography…along with an occasional visit to Electric Larrys…are adventures.

The next 44…will be exciting…