Oh, Rudi, I know, I know, I have to get to Wengen. It is not fair that I have to work so hard in my old age.

But then, maybe it is not so fair that I am so young in my old age.

Maybe if some and or all of these characters really do show up at my house and intersperse yard work with drinking adult beverages on my back deck, I'll be able to squeeze out a free weekend++ for visiting my favorite older brother and his most lovely bride.

OBTW, Ozstamps, my Mom had never flown before Hunki and I got married (she was about 60 at the time). We sent her an airplane ticket to come to our wedding and after hemming and hawing for a few months, she decided to risk the frightening threat of flying in an airplane.

Well, we created a monster. She loved flying--even in coach. Thereafter we bought her UA tickets to come to stay with us every summer (she lived in Florida and hated the hot summers) and to visit for various other occasions. Sometimes she would just call and say, "I was thinking it might be fun to go to Vegas" which meant, would you please buy me a ticket, get a hotel and meet me in Vegas for the weekend.

Here is the kick. She would save up all the miles from the tickets we bought her to go visit other people. We didn't care, because it was so wonderful to have her spend time with the children and, of course, Hunki loved it when each morning she would ask, "What would you like for dinner dear? Would you prefer that I made a pie or cake for dessert?" He got soooooooooooo spoiled.

I wish she were alive to enjoy free tickets today.