Non-Technical News: Blessings Come In All Shapes And Sizes

The day brings much remarkable news.

Kyle and Zach worked the 9-12 year old Little League tryouts today, assisting about 250 of the younger competitors in the league through a day of skills evaluation. The day also served as an impromptu reunion of last year's Redmond Red Sox. Many of the boys were in attendance, including Ryan FitzPatrick, who is now throwing right-handed! Congratulations to Ryan, dad Dave, mom Corinne, and brother Sean on this remarkable turn of events.

The other piece of news hits even closer to home for our family and relates as well to my recent absence from this space.

Without unduly imposing on the public squeamishness, I can report that I spent four days in Seattle's Swedish Hospital this week for a recurring illness which has baffled doctors in four states since it first surfaced in 1986. I've been seeing one of the best gastroenterologists in the region for the last three years, and this week he was able to offer a diagnosis as well as schedule a treatment. I'll be having elective surgery to repair the primary issue sometime during early February.

In the meantime, I'll need to focus whatever professionally oriented energy I can muster on the second rotation of SQL Ranger candidates, who may well be arriving in Redmond as this is written (if they haven't already).  I'm afraid that means posts will be in short supply during this hopefully brief recuperative phase. For that I apologize, but rest assured that I'll be back, in force, just as soon as circumstances permit.

In the meantime, I hope you are as I am -- surrounded by the blessings of family, hope, and renewed health.

See you soon..

    -wp