Writing Boldly into the Next Beyond

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

--J.R.R. Tolkien

Dear Friends New and Old,

Hanging on the wall in my bedroom is a painting inspired by Lord of the Rings. My Aunt made it. She was a wonderful artist for many years and now has gotten too old to create. She used to teach art in a tiny town called Waxahachie, Texas.

I think about my Aunt a lot. When she was forced to leave her...