It is already 9:30 PM and I am just starting this letter. It will have to be a short one. I just finished proofing and printing the enclosed post. It is not a political rant, so please accept it as part of this letter.

Things here are about the same. I only received one letter last week, from Mom and Dad, so it was a slow week letter-wise.

I have managed to continue with my all papers gone by Sunday, and am backlog free as I write this. I managed to finish all four of the week's (Monday to Thursday) crosswords give or take a clue here and there. I needed to use the puzzle dictionary some, but I am certainly getting better at retaining some of the more obscure words.

The last letter I sent was delayed one day because they decided to check the weight and discovered it was over one ounce. I had to fill out a form for them to put the extra 24¢ on the envelope. For some unknown reason they do not sell 24¢ stamps here. I thought I could sneak one by, but no such luck.

I am off to bed and a good book. Another week is starting. Between Church and the law class, I miss three of the movies, and this past weekend I did not bother to watch the other ones that are on after 10:00 PM Friday and Saturday or the 7:30 one Sunday. They have not released any new movies in the last few weeks so the choices have been mostly older movies, but not old enough to be some of the oldies but goodies such as Animal House, MASH, Kelly's Heroes, The Dirty Dozen, etc.

The Tour de France certainly had some interesting twists and turns. By now you know who won, and I shall have to wait for the Friday - Sunday papers to make it in.

I am still a little confused why we get excited about an American rider leading even if he is on the team of another country? At least Lance Armstrong was on an American sponsored team.

By the way did you catch the analysis of Lance's performance as emcee for the ESPYS? He apparently told some off-color jokes.

Count time -- time to go.  ¶ 1:15 PM