My father is in the hospital again. Since his 80th birthday in April, he has had one medical problem after another. I drove my parents to visit my father’s doctor Tuesday and he ended up admitted into the hospital. Fortunately, I have three brothers so we take turns driving my mother back and forth, nor do we let her spend too much time in the hospital since she is 83 years old and should not be dealing with so much physical stress, especially since my father tends to sleep the entire time he is in the hospital.

Onto better news. This has been a banner year for new cds released by my favorite artists, such as The Strawbs, Steve Forbert, Chris de Burgh, and Bruce Springsteen. My favorite current artist though is Richard Thompson, and yesterday I bought his recent album Live From Austin, TX, which shows him at his performing best. Richard Thompson walks the line between hard rock and folk music, and I recommend him very highly.

Here’s a definition for all you teachers and students out there: Discipline: Actions teachers take to restore order in the classroom, when what they really want to do would get them arrested and charged for using corporal punishment. ☺