BEING A GREAT "GODMOTHER"

My beautiful godchild, Allegra, and her partner, Florian, had their first baby on January 24. His name is Adrian Francisco Dussler. Allegra and Florian live in Germany, and you can only wonder in awe at the entitlements and benefits a new mother receives in this country.

She gets a year's leave, with pay, and home care three times a week for six weeks following the birth. Talk about "family values."

Anyway, the baby was 22 inches long and 8.4 pounds at birth. Here are a couple of pix of the new arrival.

New York Visits Tampa

Dearest friend Debbie visited me for my birthday. It was great hanging out talking, walking, eating and just enjoying a simpatico four days. I wish it didn't end so soon. NOW I really feel the holidays are over, and I'm ready to snuggle down to some cold weather and hearthside reading (Hah, in my wildest dreams).

CAT CURIOSITY

Cat curiosity did not kill Otis, but it used up one of his nine lives. Despite many warnings, poor Otis fell in the pool this morning. I was able to fish him out, but it was scary for him and for me. If I hadn't gotten to him, he likely would have drowned. He cannot be out alone on the patio. Someone must always be there to watch. He was quite upset, but he did recover quickly, spunky little fellow.

The top picture shows him fully recovered and at rest.

Otis Earl Connor

This is Otis, our new family member. We got him yesterday from the Humane Society, and he is one friendly, loving animal. He's eight months old, and his previous family, who had him for two months, moved, and returned him to the Human Society from whence he came to them. We're still getting to know each other, and we want him to know that this will be a secure and permanent home, as his life so far has been a bit erratic.

Anyway, we hope you all get to meet him in the future. I know he'll love our family of friends.

THE POGUES

Thank you Jesse, again, for turning me on to this wonderful piece. Happy New Year EVERYONE. AND Vive the Irish Republic!

EVA

It was so good to see Eva when she was in town before Christmas. We talked and dined. Eva looks great, feels great, and, of course, happy to be back in Hungary. If things go well, and I stop getting so old so fast, maybe next Christmas we'll be in Budapest for a real old fashioned holiday.

Holiday Spirit

I want to thank all my friends who helped me celebrate the season on December 13. We had our annual "Winter Party," and a good time was had by all (if not all, most).