(originally written June 21, 2005)
<PRE>
I stopped at the local True Value this morning on my way
to work. When I gave the cashier my credit card, she also
asked to see my I.D. (my credit card has "SEE ID" boldly
written on it).

She said, "You look young in this picture," a photo taken
for my Michigan driver's license.

"Gosh, that was a year ago." I responded.

She hit a couple buttons on her machine and says, "Must
have been a rough year."

"You have no idea," I replied with a smile and a slight
giggle.

To the credit of her observation, I was also 10 to 15
pounds lighter when that photo was taken, and I presently
am in need of a haircut.

She offered get some help getting my 10-foot section of
electrical conduit out the door, but I declined. As I
walked away dragging my plastic pipe she said, "Hope
this year's a better year."

Indeed. God bless her heart.

</PRE>