I am 83 years old. I'm a retired first grade teacher of nearly forty years. There were many aspects of teaching first grade that I found rewarding, but one of the greatest was giving a new generation the skills and love of reading.
 I've always enjoyed writing, from compositions in high school to term papers in college (although these not so much as they were demanding and time-consuming). I always wrote many personal letters. But I didn't write just for myself.
 Recently I've begun to write down some of my thoughts. Sometimes I observe or analyze, record memories, or just thoughts. Probably some are universal; possibly some are unique. My own stories are true. It's obvious when it's not. I hope you enjoy reading them nearly as much as I enjoyed writing them. 
 Your comments and critiques are welcome.