The outpouring of sympathy has been overwhelming.

Friends from near and far have reached out to express sympathy and it warms me, as though a thousand arms wrap me.

People have sent some money and that's nice. I have to get a hotel room in Chippewa Falls for Kid and me. She's flying in, renting a car and there's no reason for her to drive north to Hayward. I was looking at a double for us at a $56 a night hotel but now I'm looking at the $60 a night joint. I refuse to pay much money if all I'm spending on is a place to lay my massive cranium on a pillow for eight hours. No coffee maker? No iron? No little bottles of shampoo? No Microwave? Don't care. As long as no bedbugs.

I'm blogging today and writing a column after sleeping in. (When I was young, sleeping in was well into the afternoon. Now, sleeping in is 9 a.m. -- otherwise, I pee the bed.)

Monday and Tuesday, we'll put out the weekly newspaper and it will be nice to have something to keep me busy, not feeling sorry for myself.

After 2 p.m. deadline Tuesday, I'll take off to meet Kid in Chippewa.

At some point, I'll write about all the beautiful things folks have said. It truly has buoyed me. 

Peace unto Ukraine and peace and thanks unto all of you my brothers and sisters.

Venmo