2-09-08 - 63 years ago today in Fort Worth, Texas, in Harris Hospital, my dear mother gave birth to me and for that I am most grateful. And out of that gratitude various thoughts arise.

Like today also makes three years since I've taken a puff off a joint. No big deal. Today I'm an even more useful supporter of MPP and advocate for an end to the confused and cruel persecution of pot smokers and dealers - among persecutions I oppose.

Anyone wishing to make a belated birthday donation, I'm eager to replace my laptop whose motherboard suddenly died yesterday. Gone beyond. See how to donate.

How far have I come in these six point three decades? Not very. I was born in Tarrant County and now live in Tarrant's barn.

I'll tell you a bit about my family. Uncle Abe on my father's side disappeared. He was really out there but knew how to pull it off. Abe - we called him A for short.

Like A was the first person I ever heard who claimed he was a woman trapped in a man's body. On top of that he said she was a gay transvestite. As a result he wore snappy men's clothes and was always dating the finest women.

A was so weird. He was rich and generous but always had a frustrating way of expressing it. I didn't complain but one Christmas - not that long ago actually - he sent me a thousand dollar gift certificate - to a dollar store. That was the last I heard of him.

A was never satisfied with things as usual. I remember when he quit drinking he joined AA. Said it made him feel twice the man. But A said AA was too slow so he started the twenty-four step program. Their motto was "Two steps at a time." And you could graduate when you got through the top step. Then you'd go to triple A which he said was better because they had free towing.

I've lost track of A but I got a hunch and there are some organizations whose rosters I want to check to see if he's still among us. Here's the list in case you know anyone in one of them:

American Association for the Advancement of Atheism
American Association of Advertising Agencies
American Association for Affirmative Action
Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association
American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants
American Association of Amateur Astronomers